LOADED BAKED POTATO SKINS WITH BACON, CHEESE, AND GARLIC CREAM
Show off your cooking skills with these irresistible baked potato skins loaded with crispy bacon, melty cheese, and flavorful garlic cream. Perfectly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these can also be made on the grill for extra smoky flavor.
β²οΈ Prep Time: 15 min
π₯ Cook Time: 1 hour 20 min
π½οΈ Yields: 8 servings
π₯£ Ingredients
For the potatoes:
- 8 medium potatoes
- 8 slices bacon
- 8 teaspoons oil (for brushing)
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
Topping 1:
- Shredded cheeses of choice (e.g., Emmental, Edam, Cheddar)
- Gorgonzola cut into strips (or substitute with Burduf cheese or spicy goat cheese)
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream (for serving)
Topping 2:
- Roasted garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- Bacon cubes
π©βπ³ Instructions
- Scrub potatoes well with a wire brush or rough sponge. Pierce all over with a fork.
- Mix oil with seasonings and brush each potato with 1 teaspoon of the seasoned oil.
- Place potatoes directly on an oven rack or baking tray (no parchment) and bake at 200Β°C (400Β°F) for about 1 hour until fork-tender.
- Meanwhile, roast garlic cloves wrapped in foil alongside the potatoes.
- Fry bacon slices in a dry pan until crispy. Drain on paper towels, then chop into small cubes.
- Remove potatoes from oven, slice lengthwise, and scoop out the flesh, leaving about 2 mm of potato on the skin. (Save scooped potato for another recipe like gnocchi.)
- Place potato skins cut-side down in the baking tray for 10 minutes to dry out and crisp. Flip, brush insides with melted butter, and bake another 10 minutes until crispy. (This step can also be done on the grill.)
- For Topping 1: sprinkle shredded cheese into skins, add a strip of Gorgonzola, then bacon cubes.
- For Topping 2: spread roasted garlic paste inside skins, add bacon cubes.
- Season with salt and pepper, then bake or grill for 5 more minutes until cheese melts.
- Serve hot topped with sour cream and chopped green onions.
π‘ Tips
- Using a wire brush ensures skins crisp well during baking.
- Keep some potato flesh on the skins for stability and texture.
- Roasting garlic adds sweet, mellow flavor to the garlic paste.
- For fewer calories, skip frying step or grill potatoes instead.
π Perfect For
- Game day snacks and parties
- Casual gatherings and comfort food cravings
- Fans of cheesy, bacon-loaded dishes
π Final Thoughts
These loaded baked potato skins combine crispy, creamy, cheesy, and smoky flavors in a fun, shareable dish. Theyβre guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and perfect for showing off your culinary chops.