Cheese and bacon potato skins
Cheese and bacon potato skins are a delightful appetizer featuring crispy potato skins filled with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh scallions. This simple recipe delivers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors, perfect for gatherings or casual snacking.
Cook time 55 min
Prep time 20 min
Ingredients:
5 potatoes12 bacon strips
1 cup scallions
2 tbsp butter
1 cup cheddar cheese
Cheese and bacon potato skins are a classic favorite, perfect for a delicious appetizer or a crowd-pleasing snack. With crispy potato skins, topped with melted cheddar cheese, savory bacon, and fresh scallions, this dish is a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. Let’s dive into the simple yet flavorful world of cooking cheese and bacon potato skins.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Scrub the potatoes clean under running water and pat them dry.
- Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool enough to handle.
- While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy.
- Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
- Cut each cooled potato in half lengthwise.
- Carefully scoop out the inside of each half, leaving about ¼ inch of potato on the skin to make the "boat." Reserve the scooped-out potato for another use (like mashed potatoes).
- Preheat your oven again to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the potato skins on a baking sheet, flesh side up.
- Melt the butter and brush it over the insides of the potato skins.
- Return the potato skins to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until they start to get crispy around the edges.
- Remove the potato skins from the oven and sprinkle the insides evenly with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon on top of the cheese.
- Return the potato skins to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the potato skins from the oven.
- Sprinkle the finely chopped scallions over the top of the melted cheese and bacon.
- Serve the cheese and bacon potato skins hot with optional toppings such as sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for extra flavor.
Crispy on the outside and filled with cheesy, bacon goodness on the inside, these cheese and bacon potato skins are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you enjoy them as a hearty snack or a delightful appetizer, the balance of flavors will leave everyone wanting more. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, and you have a winning recipe that’s guaranteed to impress.
Cheese and bacon potato skins FAQ:
Bake the potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for about 45-50 minutes until they're tender when pierced with a fork.
You can substitute cheddar cheese with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a cheese blend, depending on your flavor preference.
Yes, you can prepare the potato skins and store them in the refrigerator for up to a day before baking them with the toppings. Reheat them in the oven before filling.
Store leftover potato skins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to restore crispiness.
The cheese is melted enough when it is bubbly and has a slightly golden color on top, which usually takes about 5-10 minutes in the final bake.
Tips:
- Choose medium to large potatoes for ease of handling and more filling.
- Bake or microwave the potatoes until tender before slicing to ensure they cook evenly.
- For extra crispy skins, after scooping out the potato flesh, brush the skins with melted butter and return them to the oven for a few more minutes.
- Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it for better distribution and flavor in each bite.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese or add additional toppings like sour cream or chives for extra flavor.
Nutrition per serving
20 ServingsCalories 140kcal
Protein 7g
Carbohydrates 9g
Fiber 1.10g
Sugar 0.58g
Fat 8g
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