Loaded Baked Potato Skins 

These loaded baked potato skins are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and brimming with flavor. Midway through baking, the skins are coated with seasoned butter for extra richness. They’re finished topped with melted cheddar, savory bacon, creamy sour cream, and bright green onions or chives perfect for parties, game days, or as a standout side. 

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 5 large russet baking potatoes, washed and dried

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ teaspoon dried parsley

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• ½ cup bacon bits (freshly cooked and crumbled preferred)

• 4 ounces sour cream

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Green onions or chives, for garnish 

Directions

1. Preheat and prep potatoes
   Preheat oven to 400 °F. Scrub and dry the potatoes, then poke each one with a fork to vent.

2. Bake potatoes
   Bake the potatoes for 45 minutes, then cool until they’re safe to handle. Cut each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out most of the insides, leaving a ¼–½ inch border of potato in the skins. Place the hollowed skins cut-side up on a baking sheet.

3. Season with butter
   Melt the butter and stir in sea salt, dried parsley, and garlic powder. Brush this seasoned butter inside (and optionally, on the outside) of the potato skins.

4. Bake to crisp
   Return to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, skin-side down, until crisp. 

5. Fill and melt toppings
   Flip the skins over, distribute cheddar cheese and bacon bits evenly, then bake for an additional 2–3 minutes or until the cheese melts.

6. Finish and serve
   Remove from the oven. Top each skin with a dollop of sour cream; season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with green onions or chives. Serve hot.

Nutrients (per 2 potato skins)

• Calories: 596 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 48 g

• Protein: 23 g

• Fat: 36 g

  • Saturated Fat: 17 g

  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 5 g

  • Monounsaturated Fat: 10 g

  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g

• Cholesterol: 77 mg

• Sodium: 1198 mg

• Potassium: 990 mg

• Fiber: 5 g

• Sugar: 2 g

• Vitamin A: 808 IU

• Vitamin C: 13 mg

• Calcium: 397 mg

• Iron: 2 mg