Description

Crispy Potato Skins is a delicious appetizer featuring baked russet potatoes hollowed out and filled with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and topped with sour cream and fresh chives. This easy-to-make snack is perfect for game day or casual gatherings, combining a crispy exterior with a cheesy, savory filling.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

6 small to medium sized Russet potatoes, washed and pat dry

Fillings & Toppings

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup unsalted butter (half of a stick), melted
Sour cream, for topping
Chives or green onion, chopped, for topping
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Bake Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Use a fork to poke holes in the potatoes, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour until tender. Remove from oven and let cool for about 15 minutes until they can be handled comfortably.
Cut Potatoes: For large potatoes, cut each lengthwise into three sections, yielding two skins and a middle section (which can be discarded or used for other recipes). For smaller potatoes, just cut each potato in half.
Hollow Out: Using a small spoon, carefully scoop out some of the potato flesh from the center of each skin, leaving a thick layer near the skin to maintain structure, creating a boat-like shape.
Season and Prepare for Broiling: Turn your oven to high broil. Brush the inside and outside of each potato skin generously with melted butter. Place them back on the baking sheet and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Broil Skins: Broil the potato skins for 7-8 minutes until the insides become slightly crispy and golden from the butter.
Add Cheese and Bacon: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Fill each skin with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese and sprinkle crumbled bacon on top.
Broil to Melt Cheese: Place the potatoes back under the broiler for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and sizzling.
Serve: Remove from oven and top each potato skin with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped chives or green onion. Serve warm.
Storage: Store any leftover potato skins in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or air fryer before serving again.

Notes

For crispier skins, make sure to broil on a high rack close to the heat source.
You can substitute cheddar cheese with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or mozzarella for different flavors.
Use turkey bacon as a lighter alternative to regular bacon.
These potato skins are best served immediately but can be stored and reheated without losing much crispiness.
Feel free to add jalapeños or chopped tomatoes for a spicy or fresh variation.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: crispy potato skins, baked potato skins, cheesy potato skins, bacon potato skins, appetizer, snack, game day food