Description

Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins are a delicious and easy appetizer or snack featuring tender baked potato shells filled with melted cheddar cheese, savory bacon, and topped with fresh green onions. These crispy skins are seasoned with butter, garlic, and parsley for a flavorful bite that’s perfect for parties or game day.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

6 small baking potatoes

Seasoning and Topping

2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
½ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
3 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled, or 3 tablespoons bacon bits)
2 tablespoons sliced green onions (or chives)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the potatoes.
Bake Potatoes: Scrub the potatoes clean and poke each one 5-6 times with a fork. Place the potatoes directly on the middle oven rack and bake for 40-50 minutes until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
Cool Potatoes: Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool until they are easy to handle, preventing burns while scooping.
Prepare Potato Skins: Slice the cooled potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh with a small spoon, leaving about a ¼-inch thick shell to maintain structure.
Season Skins: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, dried parsley, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Use a brush to coat both the inside and outside of each potato skin with this butter mixture for enhanced flavor.
Crisp Skins: Place the potato skins cut side down in a baking dish or 9×13 inch pan. Bake for 15 minutes to start crisping the skins.
Flip and Brown: Flip the skins over and bake for an additional 5 minutes to brown and crisp the edges.
Add Fillings: Spoon shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly into each potato skin. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the potato skins from the oven, sprinkle with sliced green onions, and serve warm with sour cream on the side for dipping.

Notes

Make sure the potatoes are fully cool before scooping to avoid tearing the skins.
You can substitute cheddar cheese with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack or mozzarella for different flavors.
For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers instead.
Use a fork to poke the potatoes before baking to ensure even cooking inside.
Leftover baked potato flesh can be used to make mashed potatoes or soups.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: potato skins, baked potato skins, crispy potato skins, cheese and bacon potato skins, appetizer, game day snack