When my husband and I used to go out to eat B.C. (before children) we would pretty much always go to the same restaurant to eat our date night dinner. At our favorite restaurant we always ordered the same appetizer, potato skins. Well A.C. (after children) we didn’t get to go out as often, so I started making our favorite appetizer at home to enjoy whenever we wanted them.
I like to cook my potatoes in the microwave so I’m not helping the sun heat my house up in this 100° Florida weather. Oh, who am I kidding? I like to cook them in the microwave ALL the time because it takes less than 30 minutes to get ‘em prepped to be topped with all that yummy cheese and bacon.
This potato skins recipe is simple to make but has so much flavor. With the fleshy goodness of a baked potato topped with the cheesy deliciousness of sharp cheddar, some scrumptious crunchy bacon that’s then topped with my homemade ranch dressing and some fresh chopped parsley. Yum, yum, yum! Just typing it makes me want to get up and cook some!
After being topped I THEN pop them under the broiler for only about 5 minutes to melt that said yummy cheese and to crisp up the top just a little bit. So, so GOOD!
Ingredients
- 12 small baking potatoes, thoroughly scrubbed
- 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup ranch dressing or sour cream
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook potatoes in microwave or oven until done.
- Cool enough to handle.
- Cut potatoes in half lengthwise.
- Using a spoon, scoop out enough flesh to make a small oval bowl, reserving the flesh for your delicious mashed potato recipe.
- Place potato skins in a single layer on a baking sheet, skin side down.
- Fill each potato bowl with shredded cheese and the cooked, crumbled bacon.
- Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges start to brown.
- Remove from oven and top with sour cream or ranch dressing and a sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
Total time allows for some time to cool for handling after coming out of the microwave.
This post may be linked up at Weekend Potluck, Teach Me Tuesday and these other awesome linky parties!
These look so good! I LOVE potato skins when I eat out so I’ll have to try these!
Thank you Carrie! I hope you enjoy them:)
Love these babies but where’s the chives? Having burgers tonight and these sound great as a go along, simple and easy! Working on potato recipes this week myself and Kenny’s got one coming too, it’s potato month, YEAH!
I didn’t even realize this was potato month! Awesome! I didn’t have any chives but I promise you will not miss them with these potatoes:)
I only eat potato skins from UNOs but I think I just may try this at home and save some money lol
I honestly don’t think you’ll regret making these at home:) Hope you enjoy!
I haven’t made potato skins in years, but I am certain that they did not look and sound this good! Trying these at our next football party!
I hope ya’ll enjoy them, Alisha!
I call these twice-baked potatoes and they are yummy!! I know they cannot be very healthy, but they are one of my favorite ways to do potatoes. I love how you topped with ranch and parsley. Makes for a pretty picture! Thanks.
Thank you Elizabeth! And this is our favorite way to eat potatoes too!
Wowwwww
These look incredible !
I need to try this recipe, although without the bacon (it’s forbidden for us religiously)
Thanks for linking up to the Blogers Brags Pinterest Party! Your post has been pinned to our Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board
This looks yummy. Potato skins is one of my favorite appetizer choices when we go out to eat. I don’t think I’ve ever made them at home. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks for linking with us at Best of the Weekend – I’ll be featuring this dish on my blog tomorrow night!
That’s awesome, Deb! Thank you:)
Me and hubby love potato skins! Now I can make them at home for the family! Thanks for linking it up to Snickerdoodle Sunday!
No problem, Kristina! It’s always a pleasure:)
Yum! I always take the microwave shortcut too when it’s hot out, which is most of the time. These look awesome. Just to let you know, I featured your peanut clusters at Snickertoodle!
Thanks Dee! I’ll be sure to hop over:)
Love this recipe and I am featuring it on my blog this Tuesday for our Facebook Party.
That’s awesome Tammy! Thank you!
I love homemade Potato Skins, and this looks like a great recipe! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks for stopping in Miz Helen and I hope you have a great week too!
Your potato skins look yummy! I’ve never tried ranch dressing on them but it sounds great. Thanks for sharing with Creative Spark Link Party.
Glenna @ My Paper Craze