Aug 31 2026
RestaurantsThe Field Irish PubIrish Potato Skins Recipe

Irish Potato Skins Recipe

Time1h 20m
Serves6

Irish Cheddar Cheese, Apple Wood Bacon, Green Onions, Sour Cream

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Ingredients

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Potatoes & finishing

Method

Potatoes & finishing

  1. 1

    Preheat and prepare potatoes

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the russet potatoes thoroughly and pat dry.

  2. 2

    Bake potatoes

    Rub each potato lightly with 1 tbs olive oil and sprinkle with half of the kosher salt. Place directly on oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake until skins are crisp and a skewer slides in easily, about 45–55 minutes depending on size.

  3. 3

    Cool and halve

    Remove potatoes from oven and let cool until you can handle them, about 10–15 minutes. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out and reserve the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch (6 mm) of potato attached to the skin to form sturdy shells. Reserve scooped potato for another use or mash later.

  4. 4

    Brush with butter and season

    Brush the inside and outside of each potato skin with the remaining 1 tbs olive oil and melted butter. Season the inside lightly with the remaining kosher salt and the black pepper. Place skins cut-side up on a baking sheet.

  5. 5

    Crisp skins

    Return potato skins to the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes to dry and firm up. Remove from oven and proceed to fill.

Filling & toppings

  1. 6

    Cook bacon

    While potatoes bake, cook the applewood-smoked bacon: place the bacon slices in a cold skillet over medium heat and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble or chop into small pieces.

  2. 7

    Fill with cheese

    Divide shredded Irish cheddar evenly among the potato skins, mounding the cheese into the cavities so each gets about 2–3 tablespoons (roughly 2–3 tbsp melted cheese per skin).

  3. 8

    Melt cheese

    Return the filled potato skins to the oven (or use the broiler) and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5–8 minutes, or broil on high 1–2 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and beginning to brown. Watch closely if broiling to avoid burning.

  4. 9

    Top and garnish

    Remove potato skins from oven. Sprinkle the crumbled applewood bacon over the melted cheese, then scatter the thinly sliced green onions across the skins. Add small dollops of sour cream (about 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon each, to taste) on top of each skin. If using, dust a light pinch of smoked paprika over the sour cream for color and hint of smoke.

  5. 10

    Serve

    Arrange hot potato skins on a platter and serve immediately so the skins remain crisp and the cheese is gooey. Makes about 12 halves (6 potatoes) — plan on 2 halves per person as an appetizer or 3–4 halves as a side.

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