Stuffed Potato Skins Recipe (2024)

This fully loaded stuffed potatoes skin recipe is a mouth-watering appetizer that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Crispy baked potato skins are filled with gooey melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, seasoned crumbled beef, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, and a dollop of special sauce to create the perfect savory bite that’s impossible to resist!

Featured review: I just made this, for two- only 2 potatoes but same amount of meat and special sauce, and I must say, you are a genius! Used all of the meat (cooked down quite a bit) and added savoy cabbage instead of lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. It was so filling! My husband said it was a great meal to have instead of an actual big mac!” – Cristina

Update:This post was originally published in January 2015. I made updates to the article below to include more information about making the best crispy stuffed potato skins at home.

About this recipe for baked potato skins

Consider this cheeseburger potato skin appetizer like a mini loaded baked potato with ground beef. Doesn’t that sound so yummy?!? Aside from being the absolute IDEAL appetizer for game day, potlucks, and parties, this stuffed potato skins recipe is also:

• Quick & Easy – You only need about 20 minutes of active prep to prepare this stuffed potatoes skins recipe. The oven does all the rest!
• Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing – While I love these bacon cheeseburger potato skin appetizers just the way they’re written, you can easily make them vegan or vegetarian-friendly with a few simple swaps. Read on below for tons of alternative toppings for tater skins so everyone is happy!
• Budget-Friendly – There are few ingredients that are as filling and inexpensive as russet potatoes. In fact, I just scored a 10-lb bag for $5! I’m no math major, but I think that’ll yield enough tater skins to feed an army of bottomless teenager tummies. 🤷‍♀️

Ingredients for baked potato skins

You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients to make these delectable cheeseburger potatoes:

• Russet Potatoes – Any starchy, thick-skinned “jacket” potato will work here, including Idaho.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Just your basic cooking oil is perfect!
• Sea Salt – You’ll need quite a bit for roasting the potatoes and rubbing the skins, so make sure you’re well-equipped.
• Yellow Onion – For adding some sweetness to the ground meat filling.
  • Substitutions: White or red onions will also work!
• Garlic – Fresh is best, but in a pinch you can swap in jarred minced garlic or garlic paste instead.
• Ground Sirloin – This type of ground beef comes from the sirloin cut. It is leaner than regular 80/20 ground beef and has a meaty flavor.
  • Substitutions: Feel free to swap in any form of ground meat including regular ground beef, chicken, turkey, bison, or vegan “meat” alternatives.
• Cheese – I prefer Colby Jack cheese on my beef skins; however, cheddar cheese works great too. Just make sure you purchase a block of cheese and shred it yourself for the best melty results.

Sauce ingredients

• Ketchup – For sweetness.
  • Substitution: Try swapping in your favorite BBQ sauce for a slightly smokier taste.
• Yellow Mustard – For some tang.
  • Substitutions: You can swap in ground mustard powder, or use a different style of mustard like spicy brown or dijon.
• Worcestershire Sauce – For salty, umami goodness.
  • Substitutions: Soy sauce, fish sauce, miso paste, or Maggi Seasoning are all good substitutions.
• Mayonnaise – For the creamy base of our special dipping sauce for potato skins. Feel free to swap in vegan, egg-free mayo if needed.
• Sweet Pickle Relish – For crunch and sweetness in the special sauce.
  • Substitution: You can finely mince bread & butter pickles or dill pickles, or swap in dill relish for a tangier alternative.
• Distilled White Vinegar – For a touch of neutral acidity.
  • Substitutions: Apple cider vinegar is a great substitute!
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – For allium sweetness. You can also use dehydrated garlic and onion flakes, but you’ll want to let the sauce sit a little longer for them to rehydrate.
• Paprika – For color and sweetness. Feel free to swap in hot paprika for a spicier take, or smoked paprika for a more charbroiled flavor.
• Sugar – Just a touch to help balance out the flavors of our secret sauce.
  • Substitutions: Brown sugar, agave nectar, maple syrup, or honey can also be used.

Variations of stuffed skins

There are SO MANY variations you can use to customize this cheesy bacon cheeseburger stuffed potato skins recipe. These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors to make your ideal potato skin appetizer. Remember, there’s no shortage of potato skins toppings to choose from!

• Use sweet potato skins instead of regular potato skins.
• Try different cheeses like feta, queso fresco, pepper jack, colby, or mozzarella.
• Jalapeno Popper Baked Potatoes Skins – Add diced jalapeno peppers and cream cheese to the ground beef and onion mixture and top with a dollop of sour cream.
• Buffalo Chicken Crispy Potato Skins – Substitute ground chicken for beef and use buffalo sauce instead of Worcestershire and mustard.
• Hawaiian Style Russet Potato Skins – Use ground pork instead of beef, mix with teriyaki sauce and pineapple chunks, and top the potato skin appetizers with crispy bacon and shredded cheese.
• BBQ Pulled Pork Potato Halves – Use shredded BBQ pulled pork instead of ground beef, mix with BBQ sauce and cheese, and top with crispy onion strings.
• Philly Cheesesteak Tater Skins Recipe – Use thinly sliced steak instead of ground beef, mix with sautéed onions and peppers and provolone cheese, and top with crumbled bacon.

Dietary Adaptations

• Dairy-Free – Swap in your favorite vegan cheese alternative, or make regular hamburger potato skins rather than cheeseburger-filled potato skins.
• Vegetarian – Fill with a mixture of your favorite veggies like sautéed mushrooms, onions, and spinach, picking a cheese to match your fillings.
• Vegan – Follow the instructions for both dairy-free and vegetarian potato skin ideas.

How to make stuffed potato skins

Perfectly crispy oven baked potato skins are simple to make at home. Here’s how it’s done:

• Prep potatoes: Scrub each potato and use the tins of a fork to pierce holes all over the potato. Then rub oil all over the skin before seasoning the outside generously with salt and pepper. Add coarse sea salt to the bottom of a baking dish and arrange the potatoes on top.
• Bake potatoes: Bake the potatoes in a 425-degree oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven and let potatoes cool slightly.
• Make the stuffing for the potato skins: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onions and cook until soft. Then add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Next, add the ground beef to the pan, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until no longer pink. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef mixture to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Wipe out the skillet and return it to low heat. Add the beef mixture back to the pan and stir in the ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

• Scoop out potato skin: Once potatoes are cool enough to handle, use a knife to cut each potato in half lengthwise. Then use a large spoon to scoop the potato flesh out, leaving a ¼-inch boarder all around the sides. Brush the potato skins all over with oil and season the inside with salt and pepper. Place the plain potato skins cut side down onto an aluminum-lined baking sheet.

• Bake potato skin shells without filling: Place the empty potatoes skins in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

• Stuff potato skins:Fill each half of tater skin with the beef mixture and top with grated cheese.

• Bake again: Return the skins into the oven and bake until the cheese melts.

• Add garnishes: Generously load the top of each crispy baked potato skin with your favorite toppings, such as crumbles of blue cheese or diced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Expert tips for the best tater skins

1. Choose the right potatoes. Starchy russet or Idaho potatoes work best for potato skins, as they have a thick skin that holds up well during the cooking process.
2. Use a sharp knife to cut the potatoes in half, and be careful not to remove too much of the potato flesh when scooping out the insides.
3. Brush the potato skins with a little bit of oil before baking them to help them crisp up and prevent sticking.
4. Season the potato skins with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings before baking them for extra flavor.
5. Don’t be shy. Fill the potato skins with your desired toppings, such as cheese, bacon, and sour cream, and return them to the oven to melt the cheese and heat up the toppings.
6. Potato skins are best served hot and crispy, so serve them immediately after they come out of the oven for the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

How do I get my potato skins crispy?

The secret to perfectly crispy potato skins is triple baking. Meaning, you’ll bake the potatoes three different times. First, you will bake the potatoes whole, before cutting them in half and hollowing out the skin. Next, you’ll bake the tater skins plain in the hot oven. Then, you will stuff the potatoes and return the tater skins to bake in the oven until the cheese melts.

What potatoes make the best skins?

Russet potatoes are the best potatoes for potato skins recipes. They are large in size and their skin is thick and tough enough to handle both the preparation and the weight of the toppings. While other varieties of the potato, such as Yukon golds or little red skins, taste great, their thin skins don’t work well for stuffing or loading with toppings.

Serving stuffed potatoes skins

Looking for a scrumptious mash-up of fast food and comfort food? Look no further than these Big Mac-stuffed potato skins!

Imagine perfectly baked potato skins stuffed with juicy ground beef, melted cheese, and all the fixings you’d expect from a classic cheeseburger — tangy pickles, crisp lettuce, and creamy special sauce. Each bite is a satisfying explosion of flavor that’ll have your guests saying “I’m lovin’ it!”

These beefy potato skins make a perfect appetizer or snack for game day. Potato skin burgers are also perfect for casual get-togethers with friends and family, or as a fun addition to movie or game nights.

• My friends think that potato skins go very well with a cold beer, particularly a light beer or pale ale. And even better with beer cheese soup for dipping.
• If you prefer wine, a light red wine like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais complements the flavors of these potato peels.
• Serve your twice-baked potato skins with a side salad for a well-rounded meal.
• Other classic bar fare like salt and pepper chicken wings, queso, and tater tot nachos are all excellent pairs for this stuffed potatoes skins recipe.

Storing potato skin appetizer

• If you have leftovers, let the potato skins cool to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If possible, leave the additional toppings separate so they don’t get soggy during reheating.
• To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the potato skins on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
• Alternatively, you can reheat the potato skin appetizer in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. For best results, avoid reheating the potato skins in the microwave for too long or they may get soggy.

Alright, friends — I hope this bacon cheddar stuffed potato skins recipe leaves you feeling spud-tacular. Remember, life is short, so enjoy every delicious bite. Bon appetit, my foodie friends!

Cheyanne

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More delicious potato recipes!

If you love this recipe for stuffed potato skins, try these delicious recipes using potatoes next:

• Frittata with Potato
• Stuffed Mini Potatoes
• Potato Salad (no mayo)
• Galette Potatoes
• Mini Roasted Potatoes with Garlic
• Harissa Chicken with Potatoes

More bar snack recipes!

If you love these crispy tater beef skins, try these delicious bar food recipes next:

• Restaurant-Style Cheese Queso
• Salt and Vinegar Chicken Wings
• Tater Tot Nachos
• Chicken Wonton Nachos
• Fried Pickles Dip

Hamburger stuffed potatoes skins recipe👇

What’s your favorite potato skin filling? Have an awesome idea the world should know about? Let me know in the comments below or tag me (@nospoonnecessary) on your socials so I can cheer you on!

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