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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Appetizers » Easy Loaded Crispy Potato Skins

    Easy Loaded Crispy Potato Skins

    March 2, 2019 by Sharon Rigsby, Updated February 5, 2022 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Loaded Crispy Potato Skins Pinterest Pin

    Easy Loaded Crispy Potato Skins, full of melted cheese and bacon, are a baked retro appetizer that harkens back to the late 1970s. Yes, I know many of you probably weren’t even born yet. But I can remember when these cheesy, tasty bites of deliciousness first started popping up in restaurants all over town! 

    Four Loaded Crispy Potato Skins on a cutting board.

    Repurposing potato skins are a great way to avoid wasting a delicious part of the potato. We love twice baked potatoes at our house. And, when I make them, I usually make a big batch and freeze whatever we aren’t planning to eat that night. I also cut off the top third of the potato, and only refill the bottom part to make sure it has plenty of filling.

    And, guess what? The top third of the potato makes the absolute best potato skins imaginable! Back in the good old days, potato skins were fried. But this easy baked potato skin recipe calls for baking the potato skins in the oven. So, while my loaded crispy baked potato skins aren’t the healthiest appetizer, they are healthier than their fried counterparts! 

    The ingredient list for Loaded Crispy Potato Skins couldn’t be less complicated, and they are ridiculously easy to make. Especially if you are using leftover potato skins, as I do, they are also quick to prepare.  And, they will be even quicker to disappear! So, what are you waiting for? Why not make these “blast from the past” appetizers tonight!

    Let’s have a party!

    Here’s an idea: when you make these delicious crispy potato skins, why not prepare a few more simple appetizers, like Roasted Pecans, Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls, and Caprese Skewers? Then, invite your neighbors or friends over for an impromptu, casual get together? Of course, there is nothing wrong with asking each guest to bring an appetizer too. And, if you need a signature cocktail to round things out, try my retro Meyer Lemon French 75. 

    How to make Easy Loaded Crispy Potato Skins:

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

    Wash and dry the potatoes, Pierce the potato 2-3 times with a fork. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 60-90 minutes or until they are soft when squeezed with a pot holder. Remove from the oven and allow to cool until you can handle them. 

    Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh but leave at least 1/4-1/2 inches of potato in the skin. Save the potato pulp for another use. Ideas include mashed potatoes and potato croquettes. 

    Potato skins on a baking sheet ready to make Loaded Crispy Potato Skins.

    Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees.  

    Melt the butter in a small dish and add the parsley, salt, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.

    Use a pastry brush and brush the inside and outside of the potato skins with the butter mixture. 

    Brushing butter on potato skins to make Loaded Crispy Potato Skins.

    Place the skins cut side down on a baking sheet and bake 15 minutes.

    Turn the skins over and cook an additional 5 minutes or until browned and crispy. 

    Baked potato skins right out of the oven without any toppings.

    Top each potato skin with a generous amount of shredded cheese and crumbled bacon.

    Shredded cheese and bacon top baked potato skins on a baking sheet.

    Place back in the oven for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 

    Remove the potato skins from the oven. Top with a generous amount of sour cream and garnish with chives. 

    A wooden cutting board topped with Loaded Crispy Potato Skins.

    Serve immediately. 

    Sharon’s Expert Tips:

    • I like to use Russet potatoes, but any potato including sweet potatoes will work. Small baby or new potatoes also work well to make tiny bite-size potato skins. Of course, you will need to adjust your cooking times. 
    • To make ahead – after you remove the potato pulp, you can freeze the potato skins in a plastic freezer bag for up to two months or store in the refrigerator covered for 24 hours. When you get ready to make the loaded potato skins, remove from the freezer and allow them to thaw for a few minutes before coating with the butter mixture.
    • Easy Loaded Crispy Potato Skins are best eaten right out of the oven. Unfortunately, they do not reheat well. 
    • Remember, how I told you I usually use the top one-third of the leftover potato skins from twice baked potatoes to make my potato skins. Since many folks making this recipe might not have made twice baked potatoes first, the recipe directions assume you don’t have leftover potato tops. I also usually just freeze my tops until I am ready to make the potato skins.

    If you make this recipe:

    Please rate it and let me know what you think in the comments section.  Also, take a picture, post it on Instagram, tag @gritsandpinecones, and hashtag it #gritsandpinecones.

    I love hearing from you and seeing what you have made!

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    Four Loaded Crispy Potato Skins on a cutting board.
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Easy Loaded Crispy Potato Skins Recipe

    Easy Loaded Crispy Baked Potato Skins, full of melted cheese and bacon, are a delicious retro appetizer that harkens back to the late 1970s.
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 213kcal
    Author Sharon Rigsby

    Ingredients

    • 3 potatoes medium-large
    • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
    • 1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
    • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
    • 3 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
    • 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
    • 1/2 cup sour cream
    • 1 Tbsp chopped chives

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
    • Wash and dry the potatoes, Pierce the potato 2-3 times with a fork. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 60-90 minutes or until they are soft when squeezed with a pot holder. Remove from the oven and allow to cool until you can handle them.
    • Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh but leave at least 1/4-1/2 inches of potato in the skin. Save the potato insides for another use.
    • Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees.
    • Melt the butter in a small dish and add the parsley, salt, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
    • Use a pastry brush and brush the inside and outside of the potato skins with the butter mixture. Place the skins cut side down on a baking sheet and bake 15 minutes.
    • Turn the skins over and cook an additional 5 minutes or until browned and crispy.
    • Top each potato skin with a generous amount of shredded cheese and crumbled bacon.
    • Place back in the oven for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
    • Remove the potato skins from the oven. Top with a generous amount of sour cream and garnish with chives.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Sharon's Expert Tips:
    • I like to use Russet potatoes, but any potato including sweet potatoes will work. Small baby or new potatoes also work well to make tiny bite-size potato skins. Of course, you will need to adjust your cooking times.
    • To make ahead - after you remove the potato pulp, you can freeze the potato skins in a plastic freezer bag for up to two months or store in the refrigerator covered for 24 hours. When you get ready to make the loaded potato skins, remove from the freezer and allow them to thaw for a few minutes before coating with the butter mixture.
    • Once baked, Easy Loaded Crispy Potato Skins are best eaten right out of the oven. Unfortunately, they do not reheat well.
    • Remember, how I told you I usually use the top one-third of the leftover potato skins from twice baked potatoes to make my potato skins. Since many folks making this recipe might not have made twice baked potatoes first, the recipe directions assume you don't have leftover potato tops. I also usually freeze my tops until I am ready to make the potato skins.
    • Loaded Crispy Potato Skins don’t just make great appetizers, they also make a wonderful after-school snack for the big and little kids in your house. They could also do double duty and be served with a salad as a light lunch!
    Nutrition information can vary for a recipe based on factors such as precision of measurements, brands, ingredient freshness, or the source of nutrition data. We strive to keep the information as accurate as possible but make no warranties regarding its accuracy. We encourage readers to make their calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator, especially those with dietetic allergies and food-related diagnoses.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 285mg | Potassium: 273mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 16.5mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below and/or give this recipe a rating. On Instagram? Take a picture and tag @gritsandpinecones or #gritsandpinecones!
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    Comments

    1. Linger

      March 03, 2019 at 9:40 am

      There’s nothing better than crispy potato skins loaded with all the fixin’s that you show here. Such comfort food. The dark crispy edges of the skins in your photos look so inviting. Thanks for the reminder of delicious retro appetizers.

      Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

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