The BEST Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe – One of my all-time favorite side dishes! These twice baked potatoes make the perfect appetizer and are a true crowd pleaser! So easy and yummy!
This twice baked potato recipe is one of my favorite side dishes to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I also love easy potato skins, cheesy potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes and creamy mashed potatoes.
Twice baked potatoes
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of all different types of potato dishes. And one of my all-time favorite side dishes is twice baked potatoes! You just can’t go wrong with them. If you are a potato, cheese and bacon lover like me, you are bound to love these! They are perfect for the holidays and are always a huge hit.
I’ve been making these easy twice baked potatoes with my Mom and Gramma ever since I can remember. I have such fun memories cooking with my Gramma during the holidays. If I had it my way, these twice baked potatoes would BE the meal…they are just that good. ;)
Using my best tip for baking potatoes really takes this twice baked potato recipe over the top! I love the skin when it has the added salt. Seriously, if you haven’t tried these twice baked potatoes yet, you have got to make them!
What are twice baked potatoes?
A twice baked potato is a potato that has first been fully cooked in the oven. The white potato interior is then scooped out, to leave the potato skin as the ‘shell.’
Then the potato interior is mixed with fillings such as butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon. Next the potato mixture is scooped back into the potato shell and baked in the oven again.
How to make twice baked potatoes
Scroll down for the printable twice baked potato recipe and video tutorial.
- Bake the potatoes. Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with foil. Wash potatoes under cold water and then pierce with fork several times. Place potatoes on pan and brush with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake potatoes for one hour, then allow to cool.
- Scoop out interior and make potato mixture. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out majority of inside of potato (leave a little bit so that skins don’t tear). Mash insides in large bowl and then mix in butter, half and half, sour cream, salt and pepper.
- Add potato filling back in potato shells. Once potatoes are mashed, scoop the potato mixture back into the skins.
- Bake again. Top with cheese, bacon bits and green onions. Bake in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Salt and pepper to taste. We love to serve them with ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
Can you make twice baked potatoes the day before?
Yes! If making the day before, follow recipe instructions, however do not bake for the second time yet (step 4). Once the potato mixture has been scooped back into the potato shells, transfer the potatoes to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve twice baked potatoes the next day, preheat oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until nice and bubbly.
How long do you reheat twice baked potatoes?
I typically reheat my twice baked potatoes in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes (I add a few extra minutes since the potatoes are cold before baking). You can microwave them as well, however I prefer the crispy texture that the oven gives them. If microwaving, I’d reheat them for about 2-3 minutes.
How to freeze twice baked potatoes
To freeze twice baked potatoes, allow to cool and then wrap each twice baked potato individually in aluminum foil. Then place in freezer. To thaw, stick in the refrigerator overnight then bake in oven for 15-20 minutes the next day.
More side dish recipes:
- Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
- Savory Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
- Homemade Dinner Rolls
- Sweet Potato Casserole
Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 baked potatoes (medium-sized)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
For filling:
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
- 1 bunch green onions , chopped thin
- can add more S&P to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil. Prep the potatoes by washing them under cold water. Next pierce the potatoes with a fork several times and then place on baking pan. Brush potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle on the kosher salt. Bake potatoes for one hour. Allow potatoes to cool.
- Cut potatoes in half and then scoop out most of the inside of the potato. Leave a little bit, so the skins don’t tear. Mash the inside of the potatoes in a large bowl and then mix in the butter, half and half, sour cream, salt and pepper.
- Once the potatoes are mashed, scoop the potatoes back into the skins.
- Then top with cheese, bacon and green onions. Bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!!
We love our potatoes here and this recipe is so good. We make it at least once a week!
Made this for the family and it was hit! We all loved it!
Throw outs all your other baked stuffed potatoes recipes. This is the winner!!!! Followed instructions exactly, and these are delicious!! Love them!
Can you tell me what “half and half” is please? I have never heard of this ingredient. Many thanks.
It is a mixture of milk and cream. You could whole heavy cream or milk as a substitute. :)
As a bachelor again, I like to learn how to make the good food I’ve been getting. This Tater recipe makes me hungry. I can do all these steps. Thanks :-)
This was the easiest and just delicious recipe for twice baked. My daughter commented how professional they looked.