This recipe for potato skins is Russet potato halves topped with cheese and bacon, then baked to crispy perfection and finished with sour cream and green onions. A classic appetizer that’s easy to make and always a crowd pleaser!
I love to serve a variety of hot appetizers when I’m entertaining, including baked buffalo wings, jalapeno poppers and these loaded potato skins.
Baked potato skins are popular for good reason – who can resist the combination of bacon, cheese and sour cream? Not me! These homemade potato snacks are SO much better than anything you’d buy in the freezer section, and they’re easy to make too!
How do you make potato skins?
First, bake some small Russet potatoes for about an hour, or until softened. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the insides making the “skins.” Leave 1/4 to 1/2 inch of potato on the inside of the skins.
Brush the skins with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Bake the potato skins until crispy, then add all of your toppings. The potatoes get one more trip through the oven, then they’re ready to garnish and serve.
How do you bake a potato?
To bake a potato, simply wash and dry the potato, prick it with a fork and place it in the oven at 400 degrees F. The potato needs to stay in the oven for about an hour or until softened. The bake time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes.
Tips for potato skins
- When choosing your potatoes, pick the smallest Russet potatoes you can find. You want smaller potatoes because they will be easy to serve as a handheld snack and will maintain their shape better than larger potatoes.
- For an elegant look, use a piping bag or resealable bag with the tip cut off to pipe sour cream on the potato skins.
- Don’t use pre-shredded cheddar cheese as it is coated in anti caking agents and doesn’t melt well.
- If you accidentally remove too much potato while hollowing out the skins, just take some of the removed potato and press it back into place.
Potato skin variations
Classic potato skins are delicious baked potatoes in the palm of your hand, but there are other flavors you can incorporate.
- Mexican: You can substitute Mexian chorizo sausage instead of bacon and add black beans.
- Chili: You can use a spoonful of chili instead of bacon on the skins.
- Cheesesteak: You can add diced cooked steak and bell peppers to the skins. For this version, do not add bacon.
These potatoes are amazing and are so much better than restaurant or frozen versions. They are great for a party or just for an every day snack.
More fabulous appetizer recipes
Potato Skins
Ingredients
- 6 small Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup bacon cooked and crumbled
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup green onions sliced
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
- Prick the potatoes with a fork and bake for one hour or until softened.
- Cut the potatoes in half. Carefully scoop out the insides of each potato half, leaving a 1/4 - 1/2 inch rim.
- Turn the oven heat to 450 degrees F. Brush the potato skins with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake the potato skins for 10 minutes, then flip them over and bake for 10 minutes on the other side.
- Fill each potato skin with cheese and bacon. Return to the oven and bake for 2-3 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Place the sour cream in a piping bag or resealable freezer bag with one corner snipped off. Pipe a dollop of sour cream onto each potato.
- Sprinkle with green onions, then serve immediately.
Kim says
Can I make these a day ahead? If so would you change anything?
Sara says
I’d add the sour cream and green onions right before serving!
Beatrice says
Makes my mouth water to just see these! I’ve made them now multiple times and everyone loves them!
Su says
What can I use the scooped out potatoes for?
Sara says
Mashed potatoes would be great!
Jacque Hooper says
Always love ordering these when we eat out! Love that I can now make them at home; so delicious!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
What a great recipe! These are so fun (and always a favorite of mine) and now I can serve them up at home! Mmm!
Beth Pierce says
Love, love, love this recipe! This will be perfect for football season; so delicious!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
Such an easy and delicious appetizer!!
Catalina says
I am drooling over these potatoes. Looks so yummy!
Soph says
Oh my goodness these look incredible! My partner loves to BBQ and I’ve been looking for some recipes I can make alongside whatever he’s doing and these are absolutely perfect!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Vik says
So easy and delicious! Definitely crispy perfection
Dorothy Reinhold says
Those pictures remind me how much I love potato skins! I have all of the ingredients and I can’t wait!
Demeter says
Ooh, I’m having a party next weekend and these look amazing! Adding these to our menu. Thanks!
Chrissie Baker says
I am obsessed with potato skins! These potato skins look delicious…definitely craving some of their cheesy goodness right now. I have to recreate the recipe!