Description
These Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins are a delicious appetizer or snack featuring perfectly baked potatoes topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions. Baked to golden perfection, they offer a delightful combination of crispy edges and creamy interiors, served best with a dollop of sour cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 6 small baking potatoes
Toppings
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled, or 3 tablespoons bacon bits)
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions (or chives)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes clean and prick them several times with a fork. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45–50 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and Halve the Potatoes: Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool enough to handle. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, then carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about ¼ inch of potato in the skin to keep its shape.
- Season the Skins: Brush the melted butter all over the inside and outside of the potato skins. Sprinkle the dried parsley, seasoned salt, and garlic powder evenly over the skins.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Place the potato skins on a baking sheet, skin side down. Fill each with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese and sprinkle the crumbled bacon on top.
- Bake Until Crispy: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the skins are crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skins from the oven, sprinkle with sliced green onions or chives, and serve immediately with sour cream on the side.
Notes
- To make this recipe quicker, you can microwave the potatoes until soft before baking for crispiness.
- Feel free to customize toppings – jalapeños, tomatoes, or even different cheeses work great.
- Use turkey bacon or omit bacon for a vegetarian option; just increase cheese and green onions.
- Best eaten fresh for maximum crispiness; leftovers can be reheated in the oven.
