Potato Skins Recipe | Crispy, Cheesy, Crowd-Pleasing Snack

Introduction: The Ultimate Comfort Food Appetiser

Potato skins are the ultimate snack or starter — crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, and loaded with delicious toppings like melted cheese, bacon, sour cream, or chives. Whether served at a party, as part of a weekend dinner, or as a fun side dish, they’re a satisfying way to use up leftover baked potatoes or turn humble spuds into something special.

Why You’ll Love This Potato Skins Recipe

🥔 Crispy and Golden – Oven-baked to perfection
🧀 Customisable Toppings – Go classic or get creative
👌 Perfect for Sharing – Great for parties, BBQs, or game night
✅ Budget-Friendly – Uses simple, everyday ingredients

Ingredients (Serves 4)

4 large baking potatoes
2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
Salt and black pepper
100g grated cheddar cheese
2 rashers cooked crispy bacon, crumbled (optional)
2 spring onions or chives, finely sliced
Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving
Optional: paprika, garlic powder, jalapeños, or hot sauce

How to Make Potato Skins – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Bake the Potatoes

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
Scrub the potatoes clean, prick a few times with a fork, and place on a baking tray.
Bake for 50–60 minutes until soft inside and crisp outside.
Let them cool slightly before handling.

Step 2: Scoop and Season

Cut the baked potatoes in half lengthwise.
Use a spoon to carefully scoop out most of the fluffy interior, leaving a ½ cm layer attached to the skin (save the flesh for mash or soup).
Brush the skins (inside and out) with olive oil or melted butter.
Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or paprika.

Step 3: Crisp the Skins

Return the skins to the oven, skin-side up, and bake for 10 minutes.
Flip over and bake for another 5–10 minutes until crispy and golden.

Step 4: Add the Toppings

Sprinkle grated cheese into each potato skin.
Add bacon bits, spring onions, or any toppings of your choice.
Return to the oven for another 5–7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or garlic mayo
Pair with grilled meats, burgers, or chilli as a fun side
Make it a meal with a green salad or coleslaw on the side
Add to a grazing platter or snack board for parties

Topping Variations

Tex-Mex: Black beans, jalapeños, salsa, and cheddar
Veggie: Grilled mushrooms, peppers, and feta
BBQ Chicken: Shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, red onion, and mozzarella
Breakfast Style: Scrambled egg, crispy bacon, and hot sauce
Mediterranean: Chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled goat’s cheese

Tips for Perfect Potato Skins

Use starchy potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward for the best texture
Don’t skip the double bake — it’s what makes them crisp
Scoop carefully to avoid tearing the skins
Bake extra potatoes ahead and refrigerate for next-day use

Make Ahead & Storage

Make ahead: Bake and scoop potatoes in advance; refrigerate until ready to fill and finish
Leftovers: Store cooked potato skins in the fridge for 2–3 days
Reheat: Warm in a hot oven (180°C) for 10–12 minutes until hot and crispy again
Freeze: Freeze plain skins after double-baking and add toppings later

Conclusion

Crispy, cheesy, and endlessly adaptable, potato skins are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you go classic with cheese and bacon or mix it up with global flavours, these crispy shells are the perfect vehicle for your favourite toppings. Easy to make and even easier to eat — potato skins are the kind of dish that never goes out of style.