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Close-up of delicious Loaded Potato Skins topped with melted cheese, bacon, and sour cream.

Ultimate Loaded Potato Skins

These loaded potato skins are the ultimate appetizer or snack, packed with flavor and easy to customize. Crispy baked potato skins are loaded with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions for a crowd-pleasing treat that's better than any restaurant version.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese optional
  • Pinch of garlic powder optional
  • Pinch of onion powder optional

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Fork
  • Knife
  • Spoon
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pierce each potato several times with a fork.
  3. Rub the potatoes with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  4. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork and feel soft.
  5. Let the potatoes cool slightly until you can handle them without burning yourself.
  6. Cut each potato in half lengthwise.
  7. Carefully scoop out the potato flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato attached to the skin.
  8. Brush the inside of each potato skin with a little olive oil.
  9. Place the potato skins on a baking sheet, skin-side down.
  10. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the skins are nice and crispy.
  11. Remove the potato skins from the oven.
  12. Fill each skin with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and, if using, garlic powder and onion powder.
  13. Return the potato skins to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  14. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
  15. Top with a dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions.
  16. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra crispy skins, let the potato skins cool completely after the first bake. Then, give them a second bake at a slightly higher temperature (425°F or 220°C) for just a few minutes. Store leftover potato skins in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or air fryer. Get creative with toppings! Try spicy southwest, buffalo chicken, pizza, pulled pork, broccoli cheddar, or jalapeño popper variations.