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Potato Skins are a crispy and salty appetizer loaded with cheese, bacon bits, chives paired with creamy sour cream. They are easier to make than you’d think!
If you’ve never had loaded potato skins, what are you waiting for? These Baked potatoes loaded with your favorite toppings are fluffy, filling, and absolutely delicious! You can make this simple potato skins recipe with as many or as few ingredients as you want, and build the perfect crispy skin based on your preferences!
These potato skins already sound delicious, right? But here’s a nifty trick that makes them even better- use leftover baked potatoes! Seriously, if you make too many baked potatoes one night and find yourself with leftovers, then simply toss them in the fridge and turn them into loaded potato skins the next day! (It’s frugal, fun, and makes life simpler!)
You’re going to love this versatile potato skins recipe! It’s like little boats of heaven in every bite. Serve them up as a tasty appetizer or tailgate snack, or build an entire meal around them for lunch or dinner. Doesn’t that sound amazing?
What’s In Potato Skins?
- Baked Potatoes- Leftover baked potatoes work best! If the potato is still hot, the skins rip a lot easier. I bake my potatoes in the Instant Pot! No need to turn your oven on for an hour+!
- Butter- we will use melted butter in this recipe
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Salt and Pepper
This is just the basics, please please dress these babies up with some toppings! The more the merrier, in my book!
Potato Skin Topping Ideas:
- Cheddar Cheese
- Bacon Bits
- Sour Cream
- Chives
- Pulled pork
- Onions & Peppers
How to Make Loaded Potato Skins
First thing’s first, we need to get ourselves some baked potatoes! I always use my Instant Pot to bake my potatoes. It takes about as long as baking them in the oven but this way I don’t have to heat up my whole house with the oven.
Potato Skins are just the gift that keeps on giving! Cut your cold, leftover baked potatoes in half and scoop out the insides, like pictured above. Keep those insides, though! Store them and then tomorrow you can make yourself a small batch of mashed potatoes!
In a small bowl, melt your butter and add in all of the seasonings. Seasonings like garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. If you like seasoned salt or onion powder, feel free to add in a little of those as well!
Brush the insides of the potatoes and then flip them over and brush the skins of the potatoes. Leave them skin side up and bake at 425° for 15 minutes.
Flip the potatoes so they are skin side down and add cheddar cheese and bacon bits to the inside of the potatoes. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is starting to turn golden brown.
Top with sour cream, chives or whatever else you’d like before eating!
Can I freeze homemade potato skins?
Yes you can! While raw potatoes don’t freeze well, baked potatoes do great! So after preparing your potato slins, lay them flat on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to an airtight container for up to a month before thawing and baking.
How long will Potato Skins last in the fridge?
Your potato skins will last anywhere between 3-5 days in the fridge if you keep them well covered. Heat before serving. Although these potato skins are much better right out of the oven, they make pretty good leftovers, too.
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More Appetizer Ideas
Potato Skins
Ingredients
- 8 baked potatoes, cooled
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp parsley
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- sour cream
- chives, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°.
- Cut the baked and cooled potatoes in half, scoop out the inside of the potatoes. Save the insides to make mashed potatoes with at a different time.
- Line the potato halves on a cookie sheet.
- Combine the melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Brush the insides of the potato skins with the seasoned butter.
- Flip the potatoes over so the skins are up and brush the remaining butter onto the skins.
- Leave the potatoes skin side up and bake at 425° for 15 minutes.
- Pull the potatoes out of the oven, use tongs and flip the potatoes over. Sprinkle the shredded cheese and bacon bits into the inside of the potatoes. Turn your oven on to broil.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is turning golden brown.
- Remove from oven and serve with chives, sour cream and any other toppings you'd like.
