Loaded Potato Skins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Fridays copy cat potato skins, how to make potato skins, party food recipes

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 1

Servings:

Calories: 342kcal

Author: Kris Longwell

Loaded Potato Skins are always a huge hit when served at parties and gatherings of friends and family. Much of the simple prep work can be done in hours which makes serving them super easy!

Print Recipe

Equipment

Deep fryer, or sturdy skillet with candy-thermometer

Ingredients

1 lb bacon thick-cut, smoked Applewood
8 large potatoes preferably russet
Vegetable oil for frying
4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
Kosher salt
4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
8 oz sour cream for serving
¼ cup chives snipped, for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Line a baking sheet with foil and place the bacon strips on it. You may need two baking sheets.
Cook the bacon in the oven until crispy, about 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
Stab each potato a few times with a fork. Wrap each potato with a paper towel. Place on a microwave-safe plate and cook them on HIGH in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes, or until a sharp knife will easily pierce through the flesh.
Heat oil to 350°F.
Once cool enough to handle, carefully slice each potato down the middle, lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop most of the flesh out of each potato half.
Fry the potato halves until crisp and lightly browned. Drain on a paper towel-lined plated. You may need to fry in batches.
Liberally brush the inside of each potato boat with melted butter. Sprinkle salt on the inside of each potato.
Crumble the bacon and then load each potato with a heap of cheese. Top with crumbled bacon. Place on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 12 minutes. Serve at once with sour cream and snipped chives on the side.

Notes

See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you like the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The bacon can be made up to 24 hours in advance. The potatoes can be fried up to 6 hours in advance. Simply load them and bake them just before you plan on serving them.

Other wonderful ingredients to serve with the skins are hot sauce, chopped jalapeños, and chili.

These skins are best served fresh out of the oven, but they can be reheated in a 350°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. We don't recommend freezing them.

Nutrition