Crispy Potato Skins with Bacon (Printer-friendly)

Golden baked potato skins topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and green onions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed clean

→ Toppings

02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 4 slices bacon
04 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons sour cream, for serving

→ Seasoning

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Prick potatoes all over with a fork. Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
03 - Place potatoes on baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife.
04 - While potatoes bake, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels, then crumble.
05 - Remove potatoes from oven and cool for 10 minutes. Lower oven temperature to 375°F.
06 - Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato attached to the skin. Reserve scooped potato for another use.
07 - Brush insides and outsides of potato skins with remaining olive oil. Place skin-side down on baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until crisp.
08 - Sprinkle cheese evenly into each potato skin. Top with crumbled bacon. Return to oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven. Garnish with sliced green onions and sour cream if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The contrast between shattering crisp skin and creamy melted cheese creates that perfect bite everyone reaches for first
  • They reheat beautifully so you can make them ahead and still look like a hosting genius when guests arrive
02 -
  • Leaving too much potato flesh inside will make the skins soggy instead of crispy so be generous when scooping
  • Letting the potatoes cool briefly makes them much easier to handle and less likely to tear during scooping
03 -
  • Brush oil on both sides of the skins not just the inside for maximum crispy texture all over
  • Use a small spoon for scooping to avoid tearing the delicate potato skin
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