Easy loaded potato skins recipe the family will love
There’s something so comforting about loaded potato skins, isn’t there? They’re warm, cheesy, and always popular here. I usually whip these easy loaded potato skins up when I want something that feels naughty but isn’t too unhealthy, and serve them with salad or vegetables.
If you’re looking for something easy to make that still tastes like a little treat, these loaded potato skins are a great choice. Plus, they’re a great way to avoid food waste if you’ve got a few baking potatoes lying around and don’t fancy another jacket potato! Here’s how you can make them for yourself.
Easy Loaded potato skins – Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 100g grated cheddar cheese (low-fat works brilliantly)
- 4 slices of bacon (all fat removed)
- 4 spring onions, sliced finely
- Olive oil or low-calorie cooking spray
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Parsley or chives to garnish, if required
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here I talk you through step by step how I make my easy loaded potato skins, feel free to adapt for whatever your chosen fillings are!
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Give the potatoes a good wash and pat them dry. Pierce each potato a few times with a fork or skewer.
Place them directly onto the middle oven rack and bake for about an hour, or until the skins are crisp and the insides are soft. If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave the potatoes for about 8-10 minutes, then crisp them up in the oven for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Scoop
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthways. Using a spoon, gently scoop out most of the fluffy insides, leaving about a ½-centimetre layer of potato attached to the skin for structure. Put all the potato you have scooped out in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Crisp Up the Shells
Spray the inside of each potato skin with a little olive oil spray, or use a cooking spray for a lighter option. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then pop them back in the oven (cut side up) for 5-10 minutes to allow the edges to start going crispy.
Step 4: Add the Toppings
Meanwhile, cut the bacon into small pieces and fry in a non-stick pan until it’s golden and crisp. You shouldn’t need any oil for this, but if you are concerned, add a small amount of cooking spray.
Mix the bacon, spring onions and cheese (saving a little for sprinkling on top) with the scooped-out potato and load up the skins. Sprinkle a little cheese on top.
Return them to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and everything is piping hot.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the easy loaded potato skins from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter or individual plates. Add a final touch of fresh spring onions, chives or parsley on top for extra flavour and a lovely pop of green.
You can serve these easy loaded potato skins with sour cream, a dollop of Greek yoghurt, or just as they are, they’re delicious every single time!
Eating these potato skins on a diet
Unless you are following a no-carb diet, these easy loaded potato skins are likely to fit most diets well. To ensure they fit with Slimming World, you would need to weigh the cheese and have them with a side salad. Other diets are similar. Using low-fat cheddar and low-calorie cooking spray is usually best for the lowest-fat, healthiest recipe.
Nutrition
I have not included a recipe card with nutritional values for this easy loaded potato skins recipe, as it is so flexible, you can make it however you like. Potatoes are all different sizes, and some of us are more generous with grated cheese than others. Simply use the measurements above as a guide for shopping and then just go with your heart when you make them!
Making in advance
You can prep the easy loaded potato skins in advance if you’re short on time. Crisp them up, fill them, then store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, bake as directed. Remember, they will take longer as they have been chilled!
If you freeze them, remember to defrost them fully before cooking.
Other topping ideas
While I tend to stick to cheddar for me and cheese and bacon for Ben and Stuart, you can get creative. Add jalapenos if you like spice, swap the bacon for cooked chicken, or sprinkle on diced tomatoes for a fresh twist. You can put anything in that you fancy, just remember to cook it first. Here are a few ideas you might like to try:
- Chorizo
- Pepperoni
- Jalapenos
- Chilli beef
- Cheese and Mushroom
You can put whatever you fancy in. If you prefer to fill your potatoes with fillings not mixed with the potato, simply use the potato in another recipe or for mashed potatoes another day.
Have you made these easy loaded potato skins yet? What are your favourite toppings? Let me know in the comments below.
