Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins

Baked potato skins are a well-loved appetizer that is easy to make.

Turn the skins of a potato into a cheesy favorite with a little garlic, butter, and cheese. And, of course, a sprinkling of bacon!

We love this version because it skips the deep fryer and they still come out crisp and delicious.

Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins with sour cream

An All Time Favorite

Skip the deep fryer, potato skins can be oven baked or made in the air fryer and have better flavor than deep fried.
They’re budget friendly, keep the skins for snacking and save the insides for potato soup or mashed potatoes.
Top them with cheese and bacon, or add some leftover pulled chicken or taco meat.
Serve these crispy potato skins as an appetizer for game day, or movie night. Have sour cream ready for dipping!
The leftover white center of the potato can be used for making mashed potatoes, or cottage pie.

ingredients to make Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins

Easy Ingredients for Potato Skins

Potatoes – Russet potatoes are the best option for this recipe because they hold up well in the oven, ensuring that they become crispy. Sweet potato skins are also a great option.

Cheese – This recipe calls for cheddar cheese, but try any cheese blend. Preshredded cheese works well in this recipe.

Bacon – Bacon adds a delicious smoky salty flavor.

brusing butter over potatoes to make Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins

potatoes on a sheet pan to make Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins

How to Make Potato Skins

This is the best potato skins recipe, they come out crispy and full of flavor.

Bake potatoes in the oven or air fryer. Allow to cool.
Spoon out the flesh of the potato, leaving a shell.
Brush the skins with butter and bake in the oven (as per the recipe below).
Fill each potato with cheese and crumbled bacon and bake until bubbly.

Top with green onion and serve with sour cream or ranch dressing for dipping.

platter of Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins with sour cream

Our Fave Toppings

For variety, add some ground beef with taco seasoning. Or add some pulled pork, or even sloppy joe filling. Top them with scallions or cilantro.

Tips for Great Potato Skins

Bake the potatoes in the microwave, air fryer or oven. Cool just until they’re easy to handle.
Scoop out the flesh while the potatoes are still warm.
Leave a ¼-inch shell; if it’s too thin, they won’t hold up.
If you cook bacon (instead of using bacon bits) use the bacon fat in place of butter for extra flavor.
Try other variations to use up leftovers. Turn these into loaded potato skins or try leftover chili, pulled pork, or even broccoli cheddar.

Prep Ahead

These are easy to make ahead.

Freeze the empty shells on a baking pan. and then once frozen, stack them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for several months in the freezer.
Bake these easy potato skins starting right from frozen; no need to thaw them first!

More Delicious Appetizers

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Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins

Crispy oven baked potato skins are garlic buttered potato skins filled with cheese and bacon.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

To Bake Potatoes

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Scrub the potatoes and poke each potato with a fork 5-6 times. Place them directly on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until tender when poked with a fork.
Remove from the oven and let cool until the potatoes are easy to handle.

To Prepare Potato Skins

Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scoop out the flesh leaving a ¼-inch thick shell.
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, parsley, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Brush the inside and outside of the potatoes with the butter mixture.
Place potatoes cut side down in a baking dish or 9×13 inch pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
Flip potatoes over and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until slightly browned and crisp.
Fill each potato with cheese and bacon. Return to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven, top with green onion and serve with sour cream.

Potatoes: The baking time for the whole potato is based on small potatoes. Larger potatoes can be used but will need extra baking time.
Microwave: Potatoes can be baked in the microwave if desired. The potato skins should be cooked in the oven or air fryer.
Air Fryer Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Bake the scrubbed and poked potatoes for 35-40 minutes or until tender. Scoop out the flesh as per the recipe above.
Place the potato skins, brushed with butter mixture, cut side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 7-9 minutes or until crisp, flipping halfway.
Sprinkle cheese and bacon bits over the potato skins. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

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