Loaded Potato Skins

Loaded Potato Skins, cooked to a crisp in garlic butter, and topped with melted cheese and crisp bacon, are a delicious two-bite appetizer.

Why this recipe works:

Potato skins are one of my favorite appetizer recipes. There are definitely some recipe tips and tricks that need to be followed in order to make them extra delicious.

• These are simple to make, especially if you bake the potatoes in your instant pot. As a bonus, the potato that gets scooped out can be fried up as breakfast potatoes!
• This potato skin recipe has a crispy skin on the outside and a creamy potato center.
• The flavor of garlic is tasted in every bite.
• The bacon is cooked crisp ahead of time, so you don't have to worry about biting into a piece of bacon that is under done.

Ingredients needed:

(full recipe below)

• Russet potatoes - small work best
• salted butter
• garlic cloves
• cooked bacon
• shredded cheese
• sliced green onions
• sour cream

How to make these potato skins:

1. First step is to bake your potatoes. As I mentioned above, I highly recommend baking potatoes in the pressure cooker. They turn out completely soft and moist all the way through, but with a crisp outer skin.
2. Next you cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out all the flesh except for a quarter inch thick wall. What you scoop out can be transformed into potato soup or breakfast potatoes. Don't let it go to waste!
3. Brush the melted garlic butter over the entire skin (top and bottom) and set them on a baking sheet. Broil the potato skins in the oven until they get crispy and golden delicious.
4. Finally, top them with shredded cheese, crispy bacon, and sliced scallions. I cook the bacon ahead of time. I like to top my cooked skins with a dollop of sour cream, chives, salt and pepper just before serving.

Recipe tips:

• When baking the potatoes, pierce the potatoes with a fork. If you use a knife they might split and you won't be able to make your loaded potato skins.
• My preference is for sharp cheddar, but you can certainly use something that melts better like Monterey Jack or gruyere. Freshly grated always melts better than pre-shredded.
• A high quality butter like Kerrygold really adds to the flavor. Same goes for the bacon. I almost always use an applewood smoked or Black Forest cured bacon.
• Make ahead directions: You can prepare as directed with the following changes. After you broil in the oven with the garlic butter, allow to fully cool before adding the cheese, bacon, and green onions. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Allow to come to room temperature and then broil in the oven until heated through.

Related recipes:

I absolutely love this recipe, but if you are a big fan of potato skins, you might want to try other variatons.

For example, you could load up your potato skins with pulled pork and homemade barbecue sauce.

What if you made a Philly Cheesesteak loaded potato skin recipe? Or how about a Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Potato Skin? The possibilities are endless!

Loaded Potato Skins

Loaded Potato Skins, cooked to a crisp in garlic butter, and topped with melted cheese and crisp bacon, are a sinfully delicious two-bite appetizer. They are simple to make, especially if you bake the potatoes in your instant pot. As a bonus, the potato that gets scooped out can be fried up as breakfast potatoes!

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Hover to scale: 16 servings

Author: Krissy Allori

Ingredients

• 8 small russet potatoes (baked)8 small russet potatoes (baked)
• 2 tablespoons salted butter2 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 8 ounces bacon (cooked and crumbled)8 ounces bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, monterey jack, gruyere, etc)2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, monterey jack, gruyere, etc)
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions1/2 cup sliced green onions
• top with sour cream (chives, salt and pepper)top with sour cream (chives, salt and pepper)

Instructions

• Slice baked potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out center so that the potato skin walls are about 1/4 inch thick, taking care not to tear the skin. Save the potato you scooped out for another recipe. Place the skins on a large baking sheet.
• Melt the butter with the garlic and brush onto the tops and skins of the potato skins. Broil on high until the potatoes turn golden brown and the butter bubbles, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven and top with cheese, bacon, and green onions. Return to oven and broil on high to completely melt the cheese, about 5-10 minutes.
• Serve hot and top with sour cream, chives, salt and pepper.

Notes

• When baking the potatoes, pierce the potatoes with a fork. If you use a knife they might split and you won't be able to make your loaded potato skins.
• My preference is for sharp cheddar, but you can certainly use something that melts better like Monterey Jack or gruyere. Freshly grated always melts better than pre-shredded.
• A high quality butter like Kerrygold really adds to the flavor. Same goes for the bacon. I almost always use an applewood smoked or Black Forest cured bacon. 
• Make ahead directions: You can prepare as directed with the following changes. After you broil in the oven with the garlic butter, allow to fully cool before adding the cheese, bacon, and green onions. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Allow to come to room temperature and then broil in the oven until heated through.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 4mg

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This recipe was originally published in September 2014 and has been updated with helpful information and cooking tips. Don't worry - the recipe hasn't changed!