How to make Potato Skins

This post may contain affiliate links, and I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our privacy policy.

Potato skins are a much-loved appetizer made of hollowed-out potato skins that are baked or fried until crisp. Then they are filled with cheese and broiled until the cheese has melted. Sour cream and bacon are traditionally added on top.

Potato Skins are a food that is commonly found on a Happy Hour menu. They’re also a popular food for Game Day or Super Bowl Sunday, just like my Queso Fundido!

Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League. Since 2004, the Super Bowl has been played every year on the 1st Sunday of February. It’s the 2nd largest day for U.S. food consumption, after Thanksgiving Day.

“You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food.”

-Paul Prudhomme

About Potato Skins:

• Sometimes they are fried, but if you bake the skins at a high enough heat, they get crispy enough and frying is not needed.
• The skins of a potato have more nutrients than the potato’s interior. Potato skins have a lot of fiber.
• If you spot green on a potato, cut it off and discard it. Green means there is a presence of chlorophyll, which is an indicator that there is a poisonous substance present that should not be eaten.
• If you are worried about farmers using pesticide on potatoes, buy organic potatoes instead.

Ingredients needed:

• baking potatoes (Russet variety is recommended)
• olive oil
• melted butter
• Parmesan cheese
• seasoned salt
• shredded cheddar cheese
• cooked bacon
• sour cream
• green onions

How to make Potato Skins:

Scrub your potatoes clean. Then rub olive oil onto the skin of the potatoes. Cut a slit in the top of each potato and bake until soft.

Then cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the cooked potato. You’ll leave a 1/4-inch shell behind. Save the inside of the potato for another use. You’ll just need the skins for this recipe!

Then you’ll combine melted butter with a little grated Parmesan cheese and seasoned salt. That is brushed onto the skins, and the skins are baked again at a high heat (475 degrees) until crisp– about 8 minutes total.

Cheese and bacon are sprinkled inside the potato skins, and you will bake the skins again until the cheese is melted.

The final step is adding what you like on top. Sour cream and green onions (or chives) are a popular choice. You can also add a little guacamole or salsa, if that sounds good to you.

Potato Skins are meant to be eaten immediately. They’re such a tasty snack for any occasion! Serve them with Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots and a Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball to help complete your menu!

Super Bowl Facts:

• In the early 1900’s “bowl” games were established, with the first being the Rose Bowl in 1902.
• The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967.
• Roman numerals are used to identify each Super Bowl.
• The winner of the Super Bowl receives the Vince Lombardi trophy. Vince Lombardi was the coach of the Green Bay Packers, who won the first two Super Bowl championships.
• The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers have the most Super Bowl championships at 6 each.
• Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers have each won 5 Super Bowl championships.
• The Super Bowl is among the most watched sporting events in the world.
• Commercial airtime is the most expensive during the Super Bowl because of the high viewership.
• 51% of viewers tune in to Super Bowl to watch the commercials.
• Pop singers and musicians perform at the Super Bowl halftime show.