Perfect Potato Skins Recipes

SERIOUS POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rub the potatoes lightly with olive oil and bake them on a foil-lined baking sheet until their skins are crisp and a fork easily slides into their flesh, about 1 hour. Transfer the potatoes to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, assemble the toppings. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, then transfer to a small bowl. Reserve the bacon fat. Grate the cheese into a small bowl; you should have about 2 cups. Trim and thinly slice the scallions. (Feeling frisky? Caramelize some onions. Shred some ham or grate some Gruyère.)
• Using an oven mitt or a folded kitchen towel to handle the hot potatoes, cut each into quarters lengthwise to create four wedges. Using a small spoon, scoop the flesh from each wedge, leaving 1/4 inch or more of the flesh. (Save the scooped potatoes for another use, like potato pancakes or soup.)
• Set the oven to broil. Return the wedges to the foil-lined baking sheet. Paint a bit of bacon fat on each, then top with cheese and bacon. Place under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling. Place the skins on a serving plate. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon a teaspoon or so of sour cream on each and scatter the scallions over the plate. Serve with hot sauce.

HOMEMADE POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Rub potatoes with olive oil and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh, leaving 1/4 inch on the skin. Brush canola oil all over the potato skins, outside and inside, and sprinkle with salt. Reserve flesh for another use.
• Bake skins in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip and continue to bake for 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven. Turn on the oven's broiler.
• Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels; crumble.
• Arrange the potato skins flesh-side up on a roasting pan or rack. Sprinkle the insides with pepper, Cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. Return to the oven and broil until cheese is bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• Add a dollop of sour cream to each skin and sprinkle with green onions.