Description
Crispy Baked Potato Skins are oven-baked to golden perfection, filled with melted cheddar cheese, smoky bacon bits, and topped with green onions. These crunchy, savory bites make the perfect appetizer or game-day snack, offering irresistible flavor with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–3.5 lbs russet potatoes – ideal for crisp skins and fluffy centers
- 1/4 cup salted butter, melted – adds rich, buttery flavor and promotes crispiness
- 1/2 cup bacon bits – smoky and savory topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – creates gooey, melty goodness
- Salt to taste – enhances all flavors
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions – provides a fresh, aromatic finish
- 1/4 cup sour cream – cool, tangy dip to balance richness
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub and wash potatoes thoroughly, then place them directly on a baking sheet without foil.
- Bake potatoes for 1 hour until tender. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the centers, leaving about 1/2 inch of potato attached to the skin.
- Brush both sides of each potato skin with melted butter and place back on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flip, and bake another 10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Flip potato skins skin-side down. Fill each with cheddar cheese and bacon bits.
- Return to oven and bake for 3–5 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions, season with salt if needed, and serve hot with sour cream on the side.
Notes
- Do not wrap potatoes in foil before baking; it traps steam and prevents crispiness.
- Use smaller russet potatoes for bite-sized results.
- Reheat leftovers in an oven or toaster oven to maintain crisp texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon or use plant-based crumbles.
- Air fryer method: Cook at 375°F for 5–7 minutes per side, then melt cheese for 2–3 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 potato skin
- Calories: 262
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 329mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 27mg
Keywords: Crispy Baked Potato Skins, oven baked potato skins, cheesy potato skins, loaded potato skins, party appetizers, game day snacks