I love fun appetizers and this recipe is no exception. For more, check out Cowboy Caviar, a Charcuterie Board, or Artichoke Dip!
Why I love this appetizer:
Simple – All you need are a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand. These are simple and tasty.Flavorful – The crispy potato with the cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives is an explosion of flavor and texture.Favorite – People of all ages love these, from little kids to grandparents, and they pair with many different meals.
What potato should I use?
Russet potatoes make the best crispy potato skins. For an appetizer, choose a smaller potato. For a more filling dish, use a large potato and use more filling.
How to Make Potato Skins:
Bake and Slice Potatoes: Bake in the oven at 400ºF for 1 hour. For large potatoes, cut each potato lengthwise, into three sections, creating three long slices. (So each potato should yield two skins, plus a middle section that you can discard or use to make baked potato salad :). For small potatoes, just cut in half. Scoop Out Some Potato Flesh: Use a small spoon to scoop out some of the potato flesh in the center, leaving a thick layer near the skin, but hollowing it out slightly to create a “boat”. Brush and Broil: Brush the potatoes with butter on the inside and outside, place them on a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, and broil. Add Toppings: Remove from the oven and add a generous amount of shredded cheese and bacon pieces into each potato skin. Top with sour cream and chives or green onion. Serve warm. Broil: Place loaded potatoes back under the broiler for about 3-4 minutes until the cheese is nice and bubbly. Serve: Remove from oven and top with sour cream and chives or green onion. Serve warm.
More Filling and Topping Ideas:
Taco Style: Fill with taco seasoned ground beef and top with your favorite taco toppings.Sloppy Joe: Fill potato skins with sloppy joe beef filling.Chicken Enchilada: Fill with chicken enchilada filling.Pulled Pork: Load each potato skin with flavored, shredded pulled pork. Top with the best mango pineapple slaw.Mac and Cheese: Fill them with homemade mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort food.
For Air Fryer Potato Skins: Cook the potatoes in the air fryer using my air fryer potato instructions.
Storage and Freezing Instructions:
To Store: Keep leftover potato skins in the refrigerator. Rewarm them in the oven, air fryer, microwave. To Freeze: Scoop the filling from the baked potato and allow the skins to cool. Store them in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then continue with broiling and filling the shells (step 5 of the recipe).
More Potato Recipes:
Mashed PotatoesAir Fryer Baked PotatoPotatoes Au GratinTraditional Potato SaladBaked Potato SaladFuneral PotatoesAir Fryer Potato WedgesBreakfast PotatoesCreamed Potatoes and PeasHomemade French FriesLeek and Potato Soup
Adapted from Simple Comfort Food
I originally shared this recipe January 2015. Updated February 2019 and December 2022.
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