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Crispy Loaded Twice-Baked Potato Skins with Bacon

crispy loaded twice-baked potato skins - featured image
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A perfect game day snack featuring crispy potato skins loaded with a creamy, cheesy, and smoky bacon filling. Easy to make and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil, for brushing skins

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly scrub potatoes clean and pat dry.
  2. Prick each potato several times with a fork. Place directly on oven rack or baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes until tender.
  3. While potatoes bake, chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and fry in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
  4. Once potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out flesh, leaving about ¼ inch of potato attached to skins.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine scooped potato flesh, sour cream, softened butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash until creamy but slightly chunky.
  6. Stir in half the shredded cheddar, cooked bacon (reserve some for topping), and most of the sliced green onions.
  7. Brush potato skins lightly with olive oil and place skin side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 400°F to crisp skins.
  8. Flip skins over and spoon potato mixture evenly into each skin. Sprinkle remaining cheddar, reserved bacon, and green onions on top.
  9. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and skins are golden and crisp.
  10. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Let potatoes cool before scooping to avoid tearing skins. Brush skins with olive oil before baking for extra crispiness. Do not over-mash potato filling to keep texture. Broil for last 2-3 minutes if skins need extra crisping. Can prepare filling and skins a day ahead and bake before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: twice-baked potatoes, potato skins, bacon, game day snack, crispy potato skins, loaded potatoes, cheesy potatoes

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/crispy-loaded-twice-baked-potato-skins-with-bacon-easy-recipe-for-perfect-game-day-snack/