Potato skins are delicious, filling, and budget-friendly food that can be served at almost any gathering. You can mix and match delicious topping combinations and as a finger food, these are great to bring to a tailgate, a party, or just as a fun snack!
Baking the potatoes before anything else is an important step in the potato skin making process. Baking will help to soften up the potato so you can scoop out the insides, creating little potato boats that you’ll fill with toppings of your choice! While many people have their own methods of baking potatoes, the method outlined here ensures very crispy potato skins.
Ingredients:
Russet potatoes – however many you want (remember it’s x2 because you’ll be cutting the potatoes in half!
Canola Oil
Salt & Pepper
Toppings of your choice
Traditional Topping Options:
Green onions
Shredded cheddar cheese
Bacon
Sour cream
More Topping Options:
Diced mushrooms
Diced tomatoes
Chorizo
Shredded mozzarella cheese (or any other type of shredded cheese!)
Black beans
Avocado slices
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 425°
2. Wash potatoes thoroughly and poke with a fork.
3. Cut the potatoes in half, lengthwise. Place potato halves on a baking sheet, flat side down.
4. Brush canola oil over the skins. Season skins with salt and pepper.
5. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a fork can easily pierce the potatoes.
6. Meanwhile, prepare your toppings with your preferred methods. Melt the butter; prep your bacon; dice your onions; etc.
7. Let the potatoes cool before the next step.
8. With a spoon, scoop out the insides of the creating a little potato boat.
9. Brush the insides of the potato boats with melted butter and season with salt and pepper.
10. Set the oven to broil and set the sheet of potatoes underneath for only 2 minutes, and no more (set a timer!)
11. Add fillings to potato boats and set under the broiler again for 2-5 minutes until cheese is melted and sides are browning.