If you’re looking for a snack that’s bursting with flavor and guaranteed to wow your friends and family, then you absolutely must try this Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe. These potato skins are the perfect harmony of crunchy edges, gooey melted cheddar, smoky bacon, and fresh chives, creating a party-worthy treat that’s as comforting as it is addictive. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, a game-day snack, or just a fun comfort food fix, these crispy baked potato skins will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward yet each plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color that makes this Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe so irresistible.
- Russet potatoes: Their sturdy skin and fluffy interior make them ideal for creating crispy potato skins that hold up well to fillings.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Provides a sharp, melty, and richly colored layer that contrasts beautifully with the crispy skin.
- Bacon slices: Cooked and crumbled for smoky, crispy bites that add depth of flavor and crunch.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and brushed on the skins to help them crisp up perfectly while adding richness.
- Sour cream: A cool, tangy topping to balance the savory richness of cheese and bacon.
- Chives or green onions: Fresh and vibrant, these bring a delicate pop of herbal brightness.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance every other ingredient.
How to Make Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Prick the Russet potatoes a few times with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about an hour until the skins are crisp and the inside is tender. Once out of the oven, allow the potatoes to cool enough so you can handle them comfortably. This slow baking ensures the skin becomes sturdy, perfect for holding all those amazing toppings.
Step 2: Cut and Prepare the Potato Skins
If you’re working with larger potatoes, slice each lengthwise into three long sections—two of these will be your potato skins, and the middle section is perfect for another use like a baked potato salad. For smaller potatoes, simply cut them in half. This is where your potato skins start to take shape as little “boats” ready to be filled.
Step 3: Hollow Out the Potatoes
Using a small spoon, gently scoop out some of the fluffy potato flesh from the center of each skin, being careful to leave a thick layer near the skin intact. This creates a nice cavity that will hold your cheese and bacon, without losing the satisfying potato texture that makes these skins so wonderful.
Step 4: Season and Butter the Skins
Turn your oven’s broiler on high. Brush both the inside and outside of the potato skins with the melted butter for that golden richness and extra crispiness. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Then, return the skins to the baking sheet—get ready to bring on the crisp.
Step 5: Broil to Crisp the Skins
Pop the potato skins under the broiler for 7 to 8 minutes. This step crisps up the insides where the butter has bathed the potato, creating delightful texture contrasts that transform ordinary potato skins into an unforgettable treat.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Bacon
Take the skins out and pile on a generous helping of shredded cheddar cheese into each potato skin, followed by the crumbled bacon. The combination of melted cheese mingling with smoky bacon is what makes this Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe a total crowd-pleaser.
Step 7: Broil Until Bubbling
Return the bacon and cheese-topped skins to the broiler for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. This final broil step is the grand finale that locks in all that irresistible cheesy goodness.
Step 8: Finish and Serve
Remove the potato skins from the oven and add a dollop of cool sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives or green onions on top. Serve these warm, and watch everyone reach for seconds. This ultimate Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe is truly a slice of cheesy heaven.
Step 9: Store Any Leftovers Properly
If you happen to have leftovers, store the skins in the refrigerator and reheat them in the oven or air fryer to retain their crispiness. They reheat beautifully and are just as delicious the next day!
How to Serve Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like a fresh dollop of sour cream, a scattering of chopped chives, or even a pinch of smoked paprika takes the presentation up a notch while introducing extra layers of flavor. Fresh herbs or a touch of spice can brighten the rich, savory notes perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair your crispy potato skins with a light, refreshing salad, such as mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness, or serve alongside a bowl of hearty chili for a truly indulgent feast. The versatility of this dish allows it to fit into many meal occasions.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these potato skins on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper for a cozy, approachable look, or create mini appetizer plates by pairing each skin with a small dollop of your favorite dipping sauce. You can even turn them into bite-sized morsels by cutting each skin into thirds—perfect for parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover potato skins store well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the toppings intact when storing to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
While these Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe are best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze them for convenience. Place the cooled potato skins on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Frozen potato skins will keep for up to 1 month.
Reheating
To revive the crispy texture after refrigeration or freezing, reheat potato skins in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350°F until heated through and crisp on the edges—usually about 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make them soggy.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Russet potatoes are ideal because their skins crisp well and their interiors get fluffy. However, you can experiment with Yukon Golds for a creamier texture, although the skins might not get quite as crispy.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Omit the bacon and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for a smoky, savory twist that still complements the cheese and chives beautifully.
Can I prepare these ahead of time for a party?
You can bake and hollow out the potato skins a day ahead and refrigerate them. Add cheese and bacon just before baking and broiling for maximum freshness and gooeyness.
What type of cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar is the classic choice here due to its excellent melting qualities and bold flavor, but you can mix in Monterey Jack or even a little smoked gouda for a different twist.
How crispy will the skins be after reheating?
If reheated in an oven or air fryer, the skins should regain much of their original crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe is comfort food at its finest, a true celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something spectacular. Whether it’s for a casual get-together or a cozy night in, I encourage you to give it a try—you won’t regret indulging in these crispy, cheesy, bacon-filled delights! Happy cooking and even happier eating!
Print
Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheese, and Chives Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 potato skins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy Potato Skins are a delicious and satisfying appetizer or snack made from roasted Russet potatoes hollowed out and filled with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and topped with sour cream and chives. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy edges and creamy filling, ideal for any gathering or cozy night in.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 6 small to medium sized Russet potatoes, washed and pat dry
Filling and Toppings
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (half of a stick), melted
- Sour cream, for topping
- Chives or green onion, chopped, for topping
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bake Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Poke each potato several times with a fork, place them on a baking sheet, and bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 15 minutes or until cool enough to handle.
- Cut Potatoes: For large potatoes, cut each lengthwise into three sections, yielding two skins and a middle section. For small potatoes, cut each in half.
- Hollow Out: Use a small spoon to scoop out some of the potato flesh from the center, leaving a thick layer near the skin to create a boat shape for the filling.
- Season and Butter: Turn the oven to high broil. Brush both the inside and outside of the potato skins with melted butter. Place them back on the baking sheet and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Broil to Crisp: Broil the potato skins for 7-8 minutes until the insides get crispy from the melted butter.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Remove from oven, add a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese into each skin, and top with crumbled bacon pieces.
- Broil Again: Place the potato skins back under the broiler for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and top each potato skin with sour cream and chopped chives or green onion. Serve warm immediately.
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftover potato skins in the refrigerator and rewarm them in the oven or air fryer before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use Russet potatoes as they crisp up nicely.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with your favorite melting cheese like Monterey Jack or mozzarella.
- Bacon can be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge to save time.
- Adjust seasoning generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.
- Leftover potato flesh scooped out can be used in recipes like baked potato salad or mashed potatoes.
- Reheating in the oven or air fryer keeps skins crispy compared to microwave reheating.
