Description
Cheddar Oven Baked Potato Skins are a crispy, cheesy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that turns simple ingredients into one of the best easy recipe ideas for game day, party food, snack boards, and casual dinner ideas. Loaded with sharp cheddar, bacon, and green onions, these oven baked potato skins are a quick appetizer, easy dinner side, and satisfying comfort food option when you need savory food ideas everyone will want again.
Ingredients
6 medium russet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and scrub the potatoes clean. Pat them dry, prick each potato a few times with a fork, and place them on a baking sheet.
2. Bake the potatoes for 45 to 55 minutes, until they are fork tender. Let them cool until safe to handle.
3. Cut each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch attached to the skins.
4. Brush the inside and outside of each potato skin with olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper.
5. Place the skins cut side down on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Flip them cut side up and bake another 8 to 10 minutes until crisp.
6. Fill each potato skin with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
7. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Remove from the oven, top with sliced green onions, and serve hot with sour cream.
Notes
Crispier skins come from baking the empty shells before adding the cheese and bacon, so do not skip that step.
Leave a thin layer of potato inside each shell so the skins stay sturdy and do not tear.
For the best texture, reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 potato skin halves
- Calories: 289
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 503mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cheddar oven baked potato skins, baked potato skins, cheesy potato skins, potato skins appetizer, easy appetizer, game day food, party snack