Lean on this potato skin recipe whenever you have company over and are in need of an easy to serve bacon-filled appetizer. Who doesn’t love a little bacon to kick off a party with friends? Talk about the perfect ice breaker!
Homemade Bacon Cheddar Potato Skin Recipe
Potato skins are the perfect game day appetizer, but truth be told, I make them all year round. You can play around with the toppings and use what you have on hand. I think that’s what makes this dish lots of fun.
And when I want to have a really hearty dinner, I LOAD these potatoes up with meat and veggies to the MAX. Potatoes are truly filling and a great meal if you know how to work them. A one-dish wonder! But for now, let’s just talk about using them as a quick app idea.
Ingredients For Loaded Potato Skins
- 1 tablespoon Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 russet potatoes, cooked and cooled or slightly warm
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- chopped green onions
- sour cream, optional
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What is on a loaded baked potato?
Like I mentioned above, I usually use what I have on hand. If you don’t have green onions… swap for yellow onions instead! Out of cheddar cheese? What do you have? Mozzarella? America? Nobody will judge you. How about a little of each.
When I cook at home, I work with what I HAVE! And listen, when I print recipes like this from other bloggers, I ALWAYS substitute here and there to make it work for me and my family. So, take this potato skin recipe and consider it a base.
How To Make Baked Potato Skins
In order to get my potatoes ready to bake, I microwave them first. Wash your potatoes and then poke a few holes into them with a fork – on all sides. Put them onto a plate, in a single layer, and microwave for 5 minutes.
Check to make sure if they need more time. If so, cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Let potatoes set to cool before cutting in half.
In a small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper. Set aside.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 475 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the inside of the potato out, leaving about 1/4″ of potato in the skin.
Use a pastry brush to oil the inside of the potato and sprinkle with cheese seasoning. Flip potato over, cut side down, and oil the skin side of the potato. Sprinkle with remaining cheese seasoning.
Bake for 10 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through so the cut side is up. Remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese and bacon. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve topped with chopped green onions and sour cream if desired. This loaded potato skin recipe makes 8 servings.
What to do with leftovers?
There are a few different options that you could do with this potato skin recipe that I think it worth mentioning. If you have any of these appetizer pieces left over, you could absolutely serve it as a side dish the next night for dinner.
You could also mash everything up and warm it up as an entirely new feel. Mashed potatoes – loaded style! I just love when the skin and bacon and onions are in a mixed mashed potato!We do this all the time. You will need to add a bit of butter and milk to get a creamy consistency, but it will be worth it. Yum and yum!
And the beauty of a loaded mashed potato is that it feels like an entirely new DISH! I love when I serve leftovers and nobody really realizes it.
Are potato skins healthy?
Potato skins are actually really healthy for you! They contain fiber, B vitamins, and calcium. They also do NOT contain fat, cholesterol or sodium. So, feel free to eat the skin of a potato without any fear.
I hope you enjoy this potato skin recipe and pass it along to your friends!
Potato Skin Recipe
Lean on this potato skin recipe whenever you have company over and are in need of an easy to serve bacon-filled appetizer. Who doesn't love a little bacon to kick off a party with friends? Talk about the perfect ice breaker!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 russet potatoes, cooked and cooled or slightly warm
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- chopped green onions
- sour cream, optional
Instructions
- In order to get my potatoes ready to bake, I microwave them first. Wash your potatoes and then poke a few holes into them with a fork - on all sides. Put them onto a plate, in a single layer, and microwave for 5 minutes. Check to make sure if they need more time. If so, cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Let potatoes set to cool before cutting in half.
- In a small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 475 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the inside of the potato out, leaving about 1/4" of potato in the skin. Use a pastry brush to oil the inside of the potato and sprinkle with cheese seasoning. Flip potato over, cut side down, and oil the skin side of the potato. Sprinkle with remaining cheese seasoning.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through so the cut side is up. Remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese and bacon. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Serve topped with chopped green onions and sour cream if desired. This recipe makes 8 servings.