Loaded Potato Skins Cheddar Beef (Printable View)

Crispy potato skins filled with cheddar, savory beef bacon, and fresh toppings for a flavorful bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean

→ Toppings

02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 6 slices beef bacon
04 - 1/3 cup sour cream
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Pierce potatoes with a fork several times. Bake directly on oven rack for 45 minutes, or until tender. Let cool slightly.
03 - Cook beef bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and chop into small pieces.
04 - Once potatoes are cool enough to handle, halve them lengthwise. Scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch border.
05 - Brush potato skins with olive oil on both sides. Sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
06 - Place skins skin-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until edges are crisp.
07 - Fill each skin with cheddar cheese and beef bacon. Return to oven for 5–7 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven. Top each with a dollop of sour cream, sliced green onions, and chives if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between shatteringly crispy skins and creamy melted cheese creates that perfect texture combo everyone reaches for first
  • Theyre ridiculously easy to scale up for a crowd but feel special enough for a casual dinner at home
02 -
  • Dont scoop out too much potato flesh or the skins will collapse during that second baking round
  • Letting the potatoes cool just enough to handle makes scooping easier without burning your fingers
03 -
  • Rubbing the skins with a little oil before the first bake helps them crisp up instead of staying tough and leathery
  • Warming your serving platter in the oven keeps everything hotter longer once they come out

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