These Crispy Potato skins are topped with smoked bacon, green onions, and plenty of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese. They are easy to prepare and so much better than the restaurants. This is one of our favorite go-to appetizers and is perfect for football season and entertaining. Be sure to read my tips and recipe notes for good crispy skins.
Fall will be here before we know it, and with it comes lots and lots of great appetizers and finger food. These skins are perfect for game day, family movie night, or kids’ sleepovers. My husband and I love to entertain, and these appetizers, Bacon Wrapped Pineapple, Sausage Rolls, and Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball are some of our favorites.
How to make Potato Skins
First, scrub and dry your potatoes. Then using your hands, rub them with a little canola oil. Next, sprinkle them with salt, place them on a baking sheet, and bake until they are cooked through. Let them sit and cool for a while.
Then cut them in half and scoop out the potatoes leaving about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of potato around the outside of the potato. Melt butter in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir in the garlic powder and onion powder. Brush both sides of the potatoes with the butter mixture. Place back on the same baking sheet and place in the oven until browned and crispy flipping halfway through.
Now evenly divide the cheese between the skins and top with the bacon. Pop them back in the oven for just a few minutes or until the cheese is melted. Now top with sliced scallions and serve with a side of sour cream.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Use Russet Potatoes for this recipe, as they will produce the crispiest potato skins.
- Don’t skip the canola oil and salt coating before baking. It really helps produce a nice crispy skin.
- Save the potatoes that you scoop out and use them in a side dish like Mashed Potato Cakes in the next couple of days.
- Brush both sides of the scooped out potatoes with the butter mixture and place back in the hot oven for extra crispy skins.
- You can substitute chives for the green onions.
- For optimal taste, these potato skins are best served promptly. However, I have successfully reheated them in both the oven and the microwave.
- For a party perfect presentation, pipe a little bit of sour cream in each skin.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Variations and flavors
- Jalapeno Popper Potato Skins – top with shredded cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, and thin jalapeno rings.
- Hawaiian Potato Skins – top with shredded mozzarella, cubed smoked ham, crisp bacon, and pineapple tidbits.
- Taco Potato Skins – top with shredded cheddar, taco seasoned ground beef, Pico de Gallo, and sour cream.
- Chili – substitute leftover chili in place of the bacon.
Other appetizer recipes you will love!
PrintBaked Potato Skins
You are going to love these extra crispy better than restaurant quality potato skins topped with cheddar, Monterey Jack, bacon and green onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 Hour 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: appetizer
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 small to medium Russet Potatoes
- 1 ½ tablespoons canola oil or olive oil
- sea salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup finely shredded cheddar
- ½ cup finely shredded Monterey Jack
- 4 slices bacon crispy cooked and chopped
- 1 green onion finely sliced
- sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Scrub, dry and poke the potatoes 8-10 times using the tines of a fork. Using your hands rub the potatoes with a little canola oil or olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt. Place them on a baking sheet. Bake potatoes for 50-60 minutes or until they are cooked through. Let them sit until cool enough to handle.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Using a spoon scoop out the flesh out leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch around the inside of the skin.
- Melt butter in microwave. Whisk in garlic powder and onion powder. Brush over the tops and bottoms of the potato skins. Using the same baking sheet that you cooked the potatoes on place in oven for 10 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Top evenly with both cheeses and bacon. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with green onions and sour cream (optional). Serve promptly.
Notes
- Use Russet Potatoes for this recipe as they will produce the crispiest potato skins.
- Don’t skip the canola oil and salt coating before baking. It really helps produce a nice crispy skin.
- Brush both sides of the scooped out potatoes with the butter mixture and place back in the hot oven for extra crispy skins.
- You can substitute chives for the green onions.
- These potato skins are best served promptly however I have reheated them with success in both the oven and the microwave.
- For a party perfect presentation pipe a little bit of sour cream in each skin.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Keywords: how to make potato skins, loaded potato skins, homemade potato skins
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Monidipa Dutta
My mom in law makes this but I have never tried this
It looks good your recipe looks sizzling I may try.
★★★★★
Ivana Mearns
What a great recipe. I really like the idea of adding sour cream. It made them ever more delicious!
★★★★★
Alita
Baked potato skins are a well-loved appetizer that is easy to make. Thank you for your recipe.
★★★★★
Carol Scheuer
We recently moved and were missing the potato skins from our local restaurant. These are easy to make and taste fantastic! Hubby likes a little ranch dressing on his. Looking forward to trying your steak bites and pairing them with mashed potatoes tomorrow!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
That is awesome, Carol! I hope you enjoy the steak bites.
Betty W.
My husband loves potato skins so I tried your recipe today. It was really good and actually taste better than some restaurants. I never knew they were so easy to make. I only had shredded cheddar and turkey bacon on hand but nobody would know the wiser. Will definitely keep this in the rotation! Thanks!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Betty! I am so glad that you both liked the potato skins. My daughter is a huge fan of turkey bacon!
Ashley
So incredibly tasty! It was easy (just obviously took a long time) and delicious! I used a premade churned butter garlic and herb to melt on the shells. We made traditional potato skins, white chile queso and bacon skins, and Philly cheesesteak skins with our leftover meat from the night before. With the rest of the shells and potatoes we scooped out, I’ll make a twice baked potato with protein and veggies tomorrow!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Oh my, now you are making me hungry. That all sounds so darn delicious!
Jenna
Oh my wordddddd. When I say best potato skins ever. Anytime I crave potato skins now this will be the recipe I use. I added store bought bacon bits, with chives and sour cream for ours after baking!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Jenna! I am so glad that you liked the potato skins!
Mike
Great recipe! My wife forgot about our imperfect foods order and we ended up with bags of 3 different potatoes. I used the Russet potatoes and I subbed out bacon for some Wagyu Brisket I smoked. If you don’t smoke your own brisket, no biggie leftovers from your nearest BBQ joint will be a great sub. This is now a staple in our home, next time we are going to try pulled pork.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip, Mike. I bet those were delicious! You are making me hungry!
Ariana
Ever since I found this recipe on Thanksgiving I’ve made it four times since. And again today Christmas Eve. Sooo delish.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ariana! I am so glad that you like the potato skins!
Katie
The recipe doesn’t say what I do with the flesh. It said to scoop it out. Then to melt butter and add the seasonings and brush the potato. Do I add the butter with the flesh?? Do I season the flesh? Does the flesh go back in after I coat the skin with butter?? Please explain. Eager to make these….
Beth Pierce
The flesh does not go back in. Save the potatoes that you scoop out and use them in a side dish like Mashed Potato Cakes in the next couple of days.
Jack
🫣
Angelina
Hey Beth!! Thankyou so much, it was super yummy and crispy, everyone enjoyed it in my home. great recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome. I am so happy that everyone liked it!
Linda
I entertained last night and I pretty much tripled the recipe. And my friends loved it. Thank you so much.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Awesone! I am so glad that they worked out!
Stephanie
Super easy and a crowd pleaser! They were gone before everything else! Making them again now!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! So glad that everyone liked them!
Susan
I’m planning on making them today for the game. But I’m going to try it with tiny potatoes, so they will be bite size. wish me luck.
Beth Pierce
Good luck! Let us know how they turn out!
Sandy
I made the a few weeks ago and they were a huge hit. Going back tonight and these were resisted again. So potatoes are in oven now. This is the best skins recipe I have found. Thanks so much for sharing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sandy! So glad that you liked it! Such a fun easy recipe.
Lauren
We’ve been craving potato skins since we saw them on a happy hour menu a few weeks ago, so with today being our anniversary, I thought I’d surprise my husband for lunch! WHAT.A.HIT! They were perfectly crispy and had so much flavor. My hubby said, “Add this one to this list,” referring to our go-to’s that never fail. Thanks for such an easy to follow recipe.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Lauren! So glad that you and your husband enjoyed them! Happy anniversary!
Marg
Look so yummy!!
Can you bake ahead and finish off next day?
Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Yes you can.
imsen
These potato skins looks so yummy!!
★★★★
Cavatinne
So delicious very flavorful and crispy will make again thank you!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine! Glad that you like them!
Pam
These are so good, but cheese, bacon and potatoes. How could you go wrong?
★★★★★
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Just gorgeous! My family love these and so crispy!
★★★★★
Jess
My mouth starts watering even just thinking about these Potato Skins. So crispy and delicious!
★★★★★
Stephanie
These are delicious! Potatoes are one of my favorite foods. My husband asked me to make these again when he has his fantasy football draft 🙂
★★★★★
Dannii
Add a big dollop of sour cream on top and I am happy. These look amazing.
★★★★★
April
OMG so good! I love making these for game days!
★★★★★
Trang
These are my game day go-to appetizers! So delicious! Who doesn’t like bacon?! Everyone loved them.
★★★★★
Ashley F.
These are one of our favorite side dishes to make! Love how you can put just about anything on them!
★★★★★
April
These are perfect! Thank you for a delicious recipe.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine April!
Jessica
I needed a recipe for these to make for my husband’s birthday (because he loves ordering them when out) and he loved them! Thank you!
★★★★★
April
One of my favorite appetizers/snacks. So crispy!
★★★★★
Anna
We always make potato skins for game days! They are so fun to make and eat!
★★★★★
Jill
I made these for my son, his brother in law, my grandson and his friend while girls had a night out. Doubled recipe, made as written and there was 2 left. They were crispy, full of favor and better than any restaurant ones I’ve EVER had! Thanks for sharing this.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jill! So glad that everyone liked them!
Kristina Tipps
Potatoes are just one of the best foods ever made, and nothing is better than a crispy potato slathered in cheese and bacon to me. This recipe is one of my favorites!
★★★★★
Tara
These potato skins look amazing and so minimal prep too! Love all that cheese and bacon.
★★★★★
Sharon
There is nothing better than digging into crispy potato skins loaded with lots of toppings. These are so good!
★★★★★
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I have everything I need for this dish, can’t wait to make it this weekend!
★★★★★
Liz
I need these to make a comeback at restaurants! They used to be a trendy food but now it’s rare to find these on the appetizer list at restaurants. One of my all time favorite apps; I love this recipe. I make this way too many times. So easy and delicious!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Liz! Yes I agree! They need to make a comeback!
Lily
I served with pork chops and they are the best side, I love that everyone can fill them with their favorite toppings!! Easy and so delicious.
★★★★★
Kristyn
You are right..I love them better than the restaurants!! I could eat these with every meal!! Cheesy, crisp, & delicious!
★★★★★
Angela Rohde
One of our local restaurants used to make these and top them with Chili. Absolutely delicious!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Delicious! That is a great idea!
Biana
I love how crispy and cheesy they look! Will be making them very soon, thank you for the recipe.
★★★★★
Sara Welch
Made this with dinner last night and they have easily become my new favorite way to enjoy potatoes! So easy, flavorful and perfect as an appetizer or main course!
★★★★★
Sunena
I am SOLD! I am a sucker for appetizers, and potato skins are right at the top of my list. Thanks for this fantastic recipe!
★★★★★
Nancy
Sometimes we make these for the kids for dinner and they love them! So easy for me and so tasty for them!
★★★★★
Adriana
These potato skins are the best appetizer my guests loved them! Super easy to make and yummy.
★★★★★
Courtney
Potato skins are a family favourite around here – pure comfort food!
★★★★★
Trina
This recipe was excellent taste better than the whole lot of them that I’ve tried even at restaurants thank you so much I am already sent it out to all of my friends and I appreciate you are step by step instructions came out perfect
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Trina! So glad that you liked it! They are tasty little goodies!!
Trang
So good! I’m a sucker for anything potato related. Super Bowl is coming up too so I definitely need to whip this appetizers out again.
★★★★★
Betsy
These are one of my all time favorite appetizers! Great directions, they turn out beautifully!
★★★★★
Jennifer
Love the jalapeno popper option. These were so good but looking forward to trying that for next time to give it a bit of zing.
★★★★★
Angela
Potato skins are one of my all time favorite appetizers. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
★★★★★
Carrie Robinson
These would be so perfect to make for game day! Looks delicious. 🙂
★★★★★
Emily Flint
Potato skins are one of my all-time favorite appetizers to order at restaurants. Now that we are home more, I’m so glad I found you recipe!
★★★★★
Wanda
Potato skins are one of our favourite snacks to have on the weekends! Will definitely give this recipe a try!
★★★★★
Jen
Yum! We love potatoes here and I can’t wait to make this! My kids are going to love this recipe! So excited!
★★★★★
Sharon
I love getting potato skins from one of our area restaurants, I love this recipe so that I can now make them right at home!
★★★★★
Jessica Formicola
Bacon, cheese and potatoes? This sounds like my kind of appetizer! I can’t wait to make these soon!
★★★★★
Suzy
These came out so good! Super easy to make and the flavor is perfect!
★★★★★
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
These sound so tasty and so easy to prepare! I love potato skins, one of my favourites!
★★★★★
Jen
I have leftover russet potatoes and I’ve never made them from homemade before. Such a delicious and easy way to use up those leftover potatoes!
★★★★★
Angela
The perfect appetizer! My kids gobbled these up. Thank you for the delicious recipe!!
★★★★★
Toni
This is such an amazing appetizer! Everyone at my house loved it!
★★★★★
Erika
Potato skins are so delicious and these make a great appetizer too!
★★★★★
Mary
These potato skins are so good, we always make them with chives instead of green onions! They’re a hit with everyone in the family!
★★★★★
Charla
Potato skins are so delicious, plus you can be very creative with them, We like to load ours with cheese and beans.
★★★★★
Alison
Ohhh! Crispy potato skins are such a great appetizer! Putting these on my new year’s eve menu!
★★★★★
Shanna O.
I Love how they turned out crispy. They were so good and my family loved them
★★★★★
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Crispy potato skins are one of my favourite appetizers, they are just so versatile! These look and sound so delicious!
★★★★★
Nicolette
My family absolutely loved these! Loved the easy prep.
★★★★★
Kay
Could these be frozen before you add the cheese?
Beth Pierce
I do not know because I have not tried. I am not sure they would keep their crispiness. Please let us know if you try and what the results are!
Beth Pierce
I am not sure Kay. I do not know if they would keep that crispiness. If you try please let us know the results as I have now been asked this question more than once.
Kathy
Can you make the potatoes ahead and freeze. Doing the last step in the over just before serving.
Beth Pierce
I have not tried so I do not know if they keep that great crisp texture. Please let us know if you do a test run. I am sure the readers would be interested.
wilhelmina
Perfect for snacking! We loved these easy potato skins, great recipe!
★★★★★
Toni Dash
My kids really loved this!! They’d love to make it again!
★★★★★
Lauren Kelly
We loved these so much. I was surprised how crispy they ere!
★★★★★