Today I’m sharing my favorite recipe for loaded twice baked potatoes!
I make these all the time. I serve them with grilled steak, roasted chicken, on Christmas Eve with prime rib and wouldn’t these look mighty pretty next to your Easter ham? As of yesterday, I had one as is as my lunch with no regrets. Okay, two. But technically that’s like one potato right?
Really though, there’s just no bad time to have a loaded twice baked potato. Hello, cheddar and bacon!!
This recipe was one of the first posts I had on SS, nearly 7 years ago to the day! I’ve since switched up the way I make them, adding a not-so-secret ingredient into the filling… bacon fat! Just a simple tablespoon of melted bacon fat really ups the flavor, adding a silkiness like butter would, but oh-so much better than butter.
Preheat your oven to 400℉ (and 200℃).
Scrub 4 large russet potatoes. I rub about a tablespoon of olive oil into the skins, for flavor and moisture, and then bake them on the middle rack for about and hour, turning them halfway through. The potatoes are done when a knife pierces them easily, meeting zero resistance. If there still a bit firm, then just throw them back in the oven for a few more minutes.
While the potatoes are baking in the oven, I’ll cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy but not overly so. They’ll crisp up more when baked in the oven with the potatoes.
When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half down the length of the potato.
Reduce oven temperature to 350℉ (or 180℃).
Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the flesh of the potatoes, being careful not to tear the skins. If it happens, don’t worry it has happened to me several times :).
Line them on a rimmed baking sheet.
Mash the potatoes until smooth with a few lumps.
Next, measure and add in the sour cream (about 3/4 to 1 full cup — depending on how much potatoes you have), 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, the reserved tablespoon of bacon fat and add only the light green parts of the green onion (reserving the dark for later). Lastly, season with a few generous pinches of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper,
Then using a spatula mix until combined.
Load up the skins with the filling and top the remaining cheddar and chopped bacon.
Bake in your preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Lastly, sprinkle with the last of the green onions and some minced parsley for a pop of green.
Ahhh… you really should smell (and taste) these loaded twice baked potatoes!! So darn delicious!
I’d like to point out that there’s no wrong way to eat these loaded twice baked potatoes. My daughters leave the skins. Pat eats both the skins with the filling using a knife and fork. I like to eat the filling first, then fold the skins in half and eat those last. I’d only admit that you, because it’s so very ladylike.
Enjoy! And if you give this Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- olive oil
- 4 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, freshly grated (divided)
- 1 tablespoon bacon fat, reserved
- 3/4 to 1 cup sour cream, more if you need it
- 4 green onion, sliced thin (light and dark green parts divided)
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper
- parsley, minced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400℉ (and 200℃).
- scrub the potatoes well. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel before generously rubbing the skins with olive oil.
- Bake potatoes on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until they are easily pierced by a fork.
- Let the potatoes cool a little until they are safe to handle. Cut the potatoes in half horizontally. Use a spoon to scoop the flesh out into a medium sized bowl.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350℉ (or 180℃).
- Place the potato skins onto a clean rimmed baking sheet.
- Mash the potato a little before adding in the sour cream (about 3/4 to 1 full cup -- depending on how much potatoes you have), 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, the reserved tablespoon of bacon fat and add only the light green parts of the green onion (reserving the dark for later). Lastly, season with a few generous pinches of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then mix.
- Fill in the potato skins with the potato mixture. NOTE: If making these in advance, stop now cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- Sprinkle each potato evenly with cheddar the cheese and bacon.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and potatoes are warmed through.
- Top with reserved green onion and minced fresh parsley right before serving.
- NOTE: If making these in advance, and the filled potatoes have been refrigerated, please allow more time in the oven to heat thoroughly.
- Sprinkle with remaining green onions right before serving.
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Laurie-I had no idea you mix some of the stuff right in-yummy!
Those look and sound absolutely delicious.
I'll be trying those soon.
Laurie, your blog is great! I stumbled upon in a few weeks ago while I was on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution website. I am excited to try many of your recipes.
If you want your potatoes, or as we call them "inards," a little more creamier, add 1 oz. cream cheese for each potato used. Maybe a little less healthy, but oh-so-good!
Made these to pair with a meatloaf the other night. It was an absolute hit. So much of a hit my mom in law has asked for the same meal again this Sunday . Its tough getting the potato skin to stay in tact so i made little aluminum foil boat looking deals i was able to let them cook the extra 10-15 in the oven on aluminum boats also;. They turned out great.
I made these today and the whole family scarfed them down!
I like to make extra and freeze them for other days.
Great idea!
I love these as well. I add a bit of horseradish to the potato mixture and sauté the onions in bacon fat with celery and fennel seeds. (Sweet onion)
I’m going to have to give your version a try!
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