Description
Oven Baked Potato Skins are a crispy, savory snack that’s easy to prepare and perfect for game day, parties, or a cozy night in. Baked instead of fried, these skins offer a healthier crunch while remaining tender inside and loaded with gooey cheese, smoky bacon, and fresh green onions. Customizable and crowd-pleasing, they deliver a satisfying melt-in-your-mouth experience every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Scrub the russet potatoes thoroughly and prick them with a fork several times. Bake them directly on the oven rack at 400°F (200°C) for about 45-60 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and Cut: Once baked, let the potatoes cool enough to handle. Cut each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell to keep the shape intact.
- Season and Oil: Brush the potato skins lightly with olive oil on both sides, then sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over the surface for that golden, crispy finish.
- Bake Skins until Crisp: Place the potato skins skin-side down on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 425°F (220°C) until crispy and golden brown.
- Add Toppings and Cheese: Flip the skins over and fill each with shredded cheese and cooked bacon bits. Return them to the oven for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese melts beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and finish with fresh green onions or your preferred garnish. Serve warm and enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness!
Notes
- Use russet potatoes for the best crispy texture and sturdy skins.
- Don’t over-scoop the potato flesh; leave a 1/4-inch layer to keep skins intact.
- Brush olive oil generously on skins for the perfect crunch.
- Pre-cook bacon and vegetable toppings thoroughly before adding.
- Mix different cheese types for additional flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 potato skin halves
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: potato skins, oven baked, crispy snack, appetizer, game day snack, party food, baked potato, cheesy, bacon, green onions
