This potato skins recipe is easy to make with crispy baked potatoes filled with cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon topped with a dollop of sour cream. The perfect party appetizer.
I love to serve hot appetizers when entertaining guests! Other favorites include crockpot BBQ meatballs, 7-layer dip and pigs in a blanket.
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Easy Potato Skins
This homemade potato skins recipe is one of our favorite game day appetizers. They are super easy to make, crispy and always the first Super Bowl appetizers to go.
If I could eat potatoes for the rest of my life, I’d be in heaven. They are definitely one of my favorite foods! Loaded baked potatoes, twice baked potatoes, cheesy potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes … you name it. I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like. ;)
Why I Love These Baked Potato Skins
- Easy appetizer. Aside from scooping out the potatoes, this recipe is as simple as turning on the oven and sprinkling a few toppings.
- Crispy. Skip deep frying! This are oven-baked potato skins and turn out perfectly crispy! A hearty appetizer that will satisfy any appetite.
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Russet potatoes: The star of the show, but you can also use Yukon if you prefer.
- Olive oil: I use this to coat the potatoes before baking to ensure a really crispy skin.
- Butter: I use melted and unsalted, but you can use salted if you like.
- Salt & pepper: The classic seasoning to bring out all the other flavors. I also coat the outside of the potato with salt before baking.
- Cheddar cheese: This gives the potato skins their melty goodness. Use a combination of cheddar and Monterey jack cheese, if you would like.
- Bacon: Use cooked and crumbled bacon or bacon bits to add a nice texture and bit of salt.
- Optional toppings: I love to add a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions to add a little extra flavor. Greek yogurt or chives could be used.
How to Make Potato Skins
Brush potatoes all over with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until soft and tender. Let cool until easy to handle. You can also make air fry baked potatoes.
Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the potato flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch of flesh on the skin. Brush with butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until crisp.
When potatoes are done, top the cut side with cheese and bacon. Continue baking until the cheese in nice and bubbly.
Top with a little sour cream and green onions, if desired. Enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- Make sure to leave about 1/4-inch of potato in the potato shell. Otherwise it will tear.
- Add garlic powder and onion powder to the melted butter before brushing on top.
- Dip in ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing for a really amazing appetizer.
- For a taco style, replace bacon with taco seasoned ground beef and top with pico de gallo and olives. Then dip in my favorite homemade salsa or guacamole.
- Make these pizza potato skins by adding cheese, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and some marinara sauce for dipping.
- Skip the bacon and add chili with sliced red onions, diced tomatoes and jalapenos.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Simply leave off or replace the bacon with a veggie or a plant-based protein.
Of course! This recipe works well for a large crowd and is easy to double. You can even bake the potatoes in advance to save time and then simply bake them with the topping as needed.
Potato skins are served great as an appetizer alongside crockpot meatballs and baked chicken wings. They also make a great side dish when serving steak in the oven, baked chicken or grilled salmon.
If you love the Air Fryer as much as I do, you’ll be pleased to know that you can make air fryer potato skins just as easily. Is there anything this trusty kitchen appliance can’t do?!
Looking for more party appetizers? Try easy homemade pretzel bites or ham and cheese sliders.
More Potato Recipes
Potato Skins Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Toppings
- Sour cream , optional
- Sliced green onions , optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Prep potatoes. Give 4 large potatoes a good scrub and dry completely with a paper towel.
- Bake potatoes. Place on baking sheet, and brush all over with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake 1 hour, or until soft and tender. Let cool until easy to handle.
- Scoop out potato flesh. Turn oven to 450°F. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch of flesh on the skin. Brush the tops and bottom of potato halves with 2-3 Tablespoons butter. Sprinkle the inside with salt and pepper. Return to the baking sheet.
- Bake 10 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until edges are starting to crisp.
- Add cheese and bacon. Sprinkle each potato half with cheese and bacon. Return to oven 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions, if desired.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
- Sprinkle in some garlic and onion powder with the melted butter before brushing on top.
- Use a combination of cheddar and Monterey jack cheese.
- They also taste great dipped in ranch dressing
- For more of a Mexican feel, replace bacon with taco seasoned ground beef and top with salsa and olives
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Dolores
What about the potatoes that are scooped out? Can I put then back in?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
No, save them for another recipe, ie mashed potatoes or something :) If you put them back in it will be more like a twice baked potato not potato skin.
Nicole
I love your recipe! Just one consideration: add that 1 hour of baking time to the total time so that it’s up front.
I didn’t see the 1 hour bake time until I read through the directions and that caused an hour delay to the accompanying food we were making.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review, we have added that initial baked potato time to the total time, thanks for the feedback on that!
Lindsey
Just made as a snack and they were delicious. Pretty close to restaurant taste, minus the greasiness from frying.
Michele T
My family loves when I make this super delicious potato skin recipe… it’s a big hit for family dinners too!
Mf
Made these tonight! Delicious and steps were easy to follow. Felt “lighter” than a twice baked potato which is what we normally make
Jamielyn Nye
So glad you enjoyed the potato skins recipe!
Abby
My new favorite side dish! So delicious and easy to make.
Jessica
I had never made potato skins before but my husband loves them, so I wanted to try to make them. These were SO easy and so good. Now a favorite!
Jamielyn Nye
So glad you enjoyed them! My husband loves them too!
Sharina
I couldn’t ask for more! These potato skins are sooo enjoyable and flavorful. Worth the bookmark.
Maggi
Delicious! And so easy to make!