Quick and easy potato skins (using a simple hack) are loaded with cheese and bacon for a fun appetizer for parties or game day!

So y’all know by now that I’m completely obsessed with all things potato, right? OK, good.

Potato skins though. Those have always held a very special place in my heart.

I have fond memories of big nights out at a certain restaurant when I was little. It was special and an occasion and we got to order things like Shirley Temple’s and appetizers. And all I ever wanted was potato skins. What better way could there be to start a meal?

Crispy edges, insides full of cheese and bacon, and then you go and dunk them in some sour cream? I mean, seriously… 😍

Now, as a grown up with little kids, I don’t get out to dinner much. (And have never gone back to that restaurant, which shall remain unnamed but had something to do with being thankful that it was the last day of the work week. Get it?)

And even when we do go out, appetizers these days just mean the meal is going to drag on and risk the little ones having a break-down.

But I still love me some potato skins. And sometimes I make them the traditional way with cheese and bacon (though I’m more likely to stuff them with veggies).

However, my kids never finish theirs. They take bites and pick at the insides and don’t get through the whole thing.

They’re little, it’s fine. But I can’t leave it like that. I have to eat the rest of the potato skins on their plate, however mangled. Which is a little disturbing.

So I’ve started making bite-size, super-fast potato skins.

Perfect for portioning out.

By which I mean, they get one or two and I get LOTS.

Plus, these are really quick and easy to make!

You just slice the potatoes into rounds, bake them for a bit, top theme with cheese and let it melt, then serve with all the goodies.

Ta-da! Easy potato skins. 🙌

Notes on making easy potato skins:

• The trick here is to slice the potato into rounds, which cook more quickly and are so much easier to handle than halved potato boats that you have to bake, scoop, fill, bake again.
• So you'll want to get nice, round potatoes when you're buying yours at the store.
• I went with cheddar cheese, bacon and sliced green onions for my toppings here. However, you could use this same basic method and whatever potato skin toppings your heart desires!

Also, pro tip: If you cook the bacon for these potatoes, use the bacon grease from the pan to brush the potato rounds (instead of using olive oil). It adds lots of great flavor!

And of course, don't forget to serve them with something for dipping!

Dips to serve with easy potato skins:

- Sour cream or Greek yogurt

- A spiced sour cream or Greek yogurt with hot sauce and lime juice mixed in

- Salsa (fresh or jarred)

- Guacamole

Little people or big, these will be a hit.

They’re also great as party appetizers and game day eats. They're the perfect bite-size treats that are completely manageable while you’re balancing a drink.

So cheers to grown-up Shirley Temples and easier, faster potato skins.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

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Yield: 10-12 servings

Easy cheesy potato skins

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Quick and easy potato skins (using a simple hack) are loaded with cheese and bacon for a fun appetizer for parties or game day!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 large, plump russet potatoes, scrubbed
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (see notes)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon, from about 5-6 slices (see notes)
• Optional toppings: sour cream/plain Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, sliced black olives, chopped avocado, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, hot sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
2. Slice potatoes into ⅓ inch thick slices. (I leave the skin on - seems more authentic.) Place potato rounds on baking sheet. Brush potato rounds with olive oil (or bacon grease!) and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
3. Roast at 400 for 15 minutes, until potatoes are almost tender.
4. Remove from the oven and top each potato round with shredded cheese.
5. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes, to melt cheese and finish cooking potatoes.
6. Remove and top with crumbled cooked bacon, sliced green onions and other desired toppings.

Notes

If you cook the bacon for these potatoes, use the bacon grease from the pan to brush the potato rounds (instead of using olive oil) - adds lots of great flavor!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 323Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 673mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 16g