Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon and Green Onions
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour20 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour40 minutesminutes
Servings 8servings
Calories 260
These crispy baked potato skins are loaded with melted cheddar, crunchy bacon, sour cream, and fresh green onions. They make a hearty appetizer or game-day snack with plenty of savory flavor.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes clean, dry them well, and pierce each potato several times with a fork.
Rub the potatoes with a little olive oil and sprinkle with a small amount of salt. Place them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until tender when pierced with a knife.
Let the potatoes cool until safe to handle. Cut each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the centers, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato attached to the skin.
Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Brush the inside and outside of the potato skins with the remaining olive oil and melted butter, then season with the remaining salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Arrange the skins cut-side down on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Flip them over and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp and lightly golden.
Fill each skin with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Top with sour cream and sliced green onions. Serve warm.
Notes
For extra-crispy skins, make sure the potatoes are completely dry before baking and do not overfill the shells before the final bake. You can also add chopped chives or serve with ranch dressing instead of sour cream.