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    Home » Recipes » Party Food

    Loaded Potato Skins

    Published: Feb 8, 2023 by Ang Paris · 4 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    Crispy potato skins loaded with cheddar cheese and bacon are a crowd-pleaser everytime!
    Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections Print Recipe
    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins are the appetizer every game day party needs! Crispy potato skins, gooey melted cheese and crispy bacon on top of fluffy potato make these the best ever baked potato skins! via @jugglingactmama

    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins are the appetizer every game day party needs! Crispy potato skins, gooey melted cheese and crispy bacon on top of fluffy potato make these the best ever baked potato skins!

    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
    Loaded with cheddar cheese and crisp bacon, this might be the greatest appetizer of all time!
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Make-Ahead Method
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Similar Recipes
    • Variations
    • More Great Game Day Recipes
    • Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
    • Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
    • Make-Ahead Method
    • How to Freeze Potato Skins
    • More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
    • 💬 Comments

    Who doesn't love a good potato skin?  I mean, what's not to love about the starchy, salty, cheesy combination?  And they're just the ultimate snack food for watching football, of course. 

    These loaded potato skins of loads of cheddar cheese (I use a pre-shredded mix from the grocery store to save time). Then there's the crispy bacon on top with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and a dollop of sour cream. What's better than that??

    Ingredients

    • baking potatoes
    • olive oil
    • shredded cheddar cheese
    • bacon
    • sea salt
    • scallions
    • sour cream (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400-degrees.
    2. Scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Rub the skins with olive oil. Bake the potatoes for about an hour.
    3. While the potatoes cook, dice the bacon and fry it until crisp. (I find that it gets crispiest when you're frying small pieces, rather than the slices). Remove the bacon pieces to a paper-towel-lined place and set aside.
    4. When the potatoes are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool so that you're able t handle them. Cut them in half the long way, and scoop out all but about a quarter-inch of the potato.
    5. Arrange the potato halves on a broiler pan. Turn your oven up to 450-degrees and cook the skins for 20 minutes, turning the skins over halfway through.
    6. Now for the fun part - lightly salt the skins (to your taste), add the cheese and bacon and return to the oven to broil for about 2 minutes.
    7. Garnish with the scallions and serve with a side of sour cream.
    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
    Did you know that December 30th is National Bacon Day? Celebrate with this tasty little recipe!

    Equipment

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Here is what you will need to make your own cheesy potato skins with bacon:

    • Cutting Board and Knife
    • Skillet
    • Baking Sheet

    Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier! Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤

    Make-Ahead Method

    If you are a regular reader, you know I love recipes I can make ahead, or prep ahead of time - especially when I have company. The potatoes can be cooked and the skins assembled 2-3 days in advance.

    To make this recipe ahead of time, prepare the potatoes according to the directions above. However, once they are all assembled on the baking sheet or broiler pan, follow these steps:

    1. Cover the skins with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.
    2. Set the oven to 350-degrees F and bake the potato skins for 5 minutes to get rid of the chill.
    3. After that, turn the temperature up to 450-degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden brown on the edges.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about these cheesy potato skins with bacon.

    Can you freeze potato skins?

    If you really want to be prepared, or you need to make an extra-large batch, consider making and freezing your appetizers ahead of time. Here's how:
    1. Once the potatoes are cooked and the skins are loaded up, place them on a baking sheet.
    2. Place the baking sheet (uncovered) in the freezer for 1 hour.
    3. Remove the skins from the tray and place them into an airtight container or freezer bag and label before returning to the freezer.
    4. To cook, place the skins on a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Bake for 10 minutes.
    5. Increase the heat to 450-degrees F and cook until the cheese is melted and starting to crisp and turn brown on the edges, about 20 minutes.

    Similar Recipes

    If you love bacon and cheese, you might also like these recipes:

    • Bacon Puff Pastry Twists
    • Cheesy Tater Tots with Bacon
    • Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
    Sour Cream Cheddar and Bacon Dip
    This Warm Bacon Dip made with sour cream, cheddar and bacon will knock your socks off - it's so good, and so easy to make!

    Get the Recipe >>>
    Make this Sour Cream Cheddar and Bacon Dip on cracker.

    Variations

    Toppings for potato skins are only limited by your imagination! I love making air fryer baked potatoes with lots of cheese and leftover pulled pork on top for a quick weeknight meal. That combo is terrific on potato skins, too!

    You could also try it with leftover shredded buffalo chicken, or even with chili.

    Chili Potato Skins via Juggling Act Mama

    Chili Potato Skins

    If the classic potato skin recipe is a little too boring for you, you might like to try my Chili Potato Skins with a spicy twist!

    It's the same basic idea but will mouth-watering meat chili piled into the potato skin!

    GET THE RECIPE >>>

    More Great Game Day Recipes

    Don't miss my Honey Teriyaki Chicken Wings recipe. It's full of sweet and savory flavor and a subtle tang you will love. These caprese skewers with salami, cheese tortellini, tomatoes, olives, basil, and mozzarella are always a big hit!

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
    Incredibly flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a 'set and forget' kind of recipe that makes entertaining a breeze! This chili recipe will feed a crowd, and then some!
    Get the Recipe >>>
    Garlic Chicken Wings with Cowboy Butter Wing Sauce
    An amazingly quick and easy recipe that's perfect for entertaining! These flavorful garlic chicken wings are ready in no time thanks to cooking them in an air fryer.
    Get the Recipe >>>
    Air Fryer Garlic Chicken Wings
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      Cowboy Caviar Recipe
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      Philly Cheesesteak Dip | Steak and Cheese Dip
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      Grilled Brats with Beer Cheese Sauce
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    Pin for Later

    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins

    Don't forget to pin this recipe for later, my friend. You're going to want to make these again and again!

    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins

    Crispy potato skins loaded with cheddar cheese and bacon are a crowd-pleaser everytime!
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
    Prep Time: 1 hour hour
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 potato skins
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Cutting Board
    • Skillet
    • Baking Sheet

    Ingredients

    • 4 medium baking potatoes
    • Olive oil
    • 4 ounces of cheddar cheese I used white and yellow cheddar blend
    • 4 slices bacon
    • Sea Salt
    • 2 tablespoons chopped scallions
    • Sour cream for serving

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400-degrees. Scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Rub the skins with olive oil and rub with the sea salt. Bake the potatoes for about an hour.
      4 medium baking potatoes, Olive oil, Sea Salt
    • While the potatoes cook, dice the bacon and fry it until crisp. (I find that it gets crispiest when you're frying small pieces, rather than the slices). Remove the bacon pieces to a paper-towel lined place and set aside.
      4 slices bacon
    • When the potatoes are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool so that you're able to handle them. Cut them in half the long way, and scoop out all but about a quarter inch of the potato.
    • Arrange the potato halves on a broiler pan. Turn your oven up to 450-degrees and cook the skins for 20 minutes, turning the skins over halfway through.
    • Now for the fun part - lightly salt the skins (to your taste), add the cheese and bacon and return to the oven to broil for about 2 minutes.
      4 ounces of cheddar cheese
    • Garnish with the scallions and serve with a side of sour cream.
      Sour cream, 2 tablespoons chopped scallions

    Notes

    Make-Ahead Method

    If you are a regular reader, you know I love recipes I can make ahead, or prep ahead of time - especially when I have company.
    To make this recipe ahead of time, prepare the potatoes according to the directions above. However, once they are all assembled on the baking sheet or broiler pan, follow these steps:
    1. Cover the potatoes with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
    2. Place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.
    3. Set the oven to 350-degrees F and bake the potato skins for 5 minutes to get rid of the chill.
    4. After that, turn the temperature up to 450-degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden brown on the edges.

    How to Freeze Potato Skins

    If you really want to be prepared, or you need to make an extra-large batch, consider making and freezing your appetizers ahead of time. Here's how:
    1. Once the potatoes are cooked and the skins are loaded up, place them on a baking sheet.
    2. Place the baking sheet (uncovered) in the freezer for 1 hour.
    3. Remove the skins from the tray and place them into an airtight container or freezer bag and label before returning to the freezer.
    4. To cook, place the skins on a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Bake for 10 minutes.
    5. Increase the heat to 450-degrees F and cook until the cheese is melted and starting to crisp and turn brown on the edges, about 20 minutes.

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
    Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. denise low says

      March 15, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      5 stars
      This look good.. Potatoes are my favorite. And I love bacon.

      Reply
    2. Libby says

      February 02, 2015 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      I made these and they came out awesome, everyone loved them!! I am definitely making them again!

      Reply
    3. Karen says

      February 02, 2020 at 7:57 pm

      5 stars
      These came out SOOOOO good. It's going to be the next thing I bring something to a gathering. It will impress everyone. It impressed my husband! The only thing I would do differently is make twice as many!!!

      Reply
    4. gina says

      March 24, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      these were almost as good at the tji fridays potato skins. gina

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Ang - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which is why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle.

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