The Fluffiest Twice-Baked Potatoes Recipe for Your Table

Crispy potato skins loaded with melted cheese make twice-baked potatoes a crowd-pleasing comfort dish.

Cheese and bacon create magical flavor combinations that dance across your palate.

Creamy interiors complemented by crunchy exterior textures surprise even seasoned home cooks.

Minimal ingredients combine into something unexpectedly spectacular with simple kitchen skills.

Rich and indulgent, these potatoes feel like a restaurant-quality side without complicated techniques.

Warm, satisfying, and guaranteed to impress, this recipe transforms humble spuds into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to bookmark this stellar method for your next gathering.

Twice-Baked Potatoes With Crunchy, Creamy Layers

• Quick and Easy Comfort Food: Whip up these delightful twice-baked potatoes in under 90 minutes with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings where everyone craves a hearty, cheesy side dish.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Swap bacon for ham, add different cheeses, or include herbs to create your unique potato masterpiece that matches personal taste preferences.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare these potatoes ahead of time, refrigerate, and reheat when ready to serve, making them an excellent option for busy households seeking convenient yet delicious meals.

Twice-Baked Potatoes Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Russet Potatoes: Large, starchy potatoes perfect for creating crisp skins and fluffy interiors. Choose firm potatoes without blemishes or green spots.

• Sour Cream, Milk, Butter: Creamy components that create a rich and smooth potato filling. Full-fat dairy provides the best flavor and texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and adds a tangy, rich flavor. Sharp or extra-sharp varieties work best.

• Bacon, Green Onions: Savory and fresh ingredients that provide depth and brightness. Crispy bacon adds crunch, while green onions offer a mild onion flavor. Bacon is optional but recommended.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall taste of the potato filling. Freshly ground black pepper provides the most robust flavor.

Potatoes Twice-Baked Method

Step 1: Prepare Potato Base

Scrub potatoes thoroughly under cool water to remove any dirt.

Pierce each potato multiple times with a fork to allow steam to escape.

Place potatoes directly on a baking sheet and slide into a preheated oven at 400°F.

Bake for about an hour until they feel soft when gently squeezed with an oven mitt.

Allow potatoes to cool just enough to handle safely.

Step 2: Carve Out Potato Centers

Slice each potato lengthwise with a sharp knife.

Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the soft potato interior, leaving a thin potato shell intact.

Transfer the fluffy potato flesh into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Create Creamy Potato Mixture

• Sour cream
• Whole milk
• Unsalted butter
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crispy bacon bits
• Chopped green onions

Mash everything together until smooth and well-blended.

Season with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavors.

Step 4: Refill Potato Shells

Generously spoon the creamy potato mixture back into the potato shells.

Pile the filling slightly higher than the shell edges for a luxurious look.

Step 5: Final Cheese Bake

Sprinkle additional cheddar cheese over the topped potatoes.

Return to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer potatoes to a serving platter.

Garnish with extra green onions or bacon crumbles.

Serve immediately while hot and wonderfully creamy.

Baking Tips for Twice-Baked Potatoes

• Use starchy russet potatoes for fluffier, lighter filling that absorbs seasonings perfectly.
• Pat potato shells dry with paper towels before refilling to maintain crispy exterior and prevent moisture buildup.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or smoked gouda for deeper, richer taste profiles.
• Prepare potato filling in advance and refrigerate, then reheat and stuff shells just before final baking for convenient meal planning.
• Swap dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like vegan sour cream and margarine for lactose-free or vegan versions of this classic comfort dish.

Twice-Baked Potatoes Storage Help

• Store leftover twice-baked potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping them fresh and tasty.
• Wrap individual potatoes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for convenient storage up to 2 months.
• Warm potatoes at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, restoring their crispy exterior and creamy interior.
• Heat individual potatoes for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of milk to prevent dryness and maintain their delicious texture.

Savory Sides for Twice-Baked Potatoes

• Pair Creamy Comfort with Bold Reds: A robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec cuts through the potato's richness, balancing the creamy texture with its tannic structure.
• Crisp Salad Companion: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh, zesty contrast against the hearty potato's decadent flavors.
• Match with Craft Beer: Select an amber ale or hoppy IPA that complements the bacon's smoky notes and stands up to the cheese's sharp profile.
• Enhance with Cool Sour Cream Dip: Whip fresh sour cream with chives and a pinch of smoked paprika to create a complementary side sauce that elevates the potato's creamy essence.

Twice-Baked Potatoes Savory Spins

• Vegan Potato Delight: Replace sour cream with cashew cream, swap cheddar cheese for nutritional yeast, and use coconut bacon or tempeh bacon instead of traditional bacon. Add roasted garlic for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free Cheesy Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Use lactose-free cheese for those with dairy sensitivities. Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a flavor boost.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower halves. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and top with crispy pancetta or turkey bacon. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese for added richness.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Potatoes: Mix in diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and top with cilantro. Serve with a side of salsa or guacamole for extra zest.

FAQs

• How do I know if the potatoes are fully baked?

The potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork and they feel soft inside. The skin will also look slightly wrinkled and the internal temperature should reach around 210°F.

• Can I make twice-baked potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare them in advance. Assemble the stuffed potatoes, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, bake them for 20-25 minutes at 350°F until heated through.

• What are the best potatoes for this recipe?

Russet potatoes work best because they have a high starch content, which makes them fluffy and perfect for creating a creamy filling. Look for large, uniform potatoes with smooth skin.

• Is there a way to make this recipe healthier?

You can use low-fat sour cream, skim milk, and reduce the amount of cheese. For protein, try Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and add some chopped lean ham or chicken instead of bacon.

Twice-Baked Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy, cheesy twice-baked potatoes offer a sumptuous twist on classic comfort food. Rich cheddar, crisp bacon, and green onions elevate this hearty side dish that promises pure culinary satisfaction for your next meal.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)

Dairy and Creamy Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

Seasoning and Garnish:

• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse potato skins and puncture multiple times to allow steam escape during initial roasting process.
2. Position potatoes on baking tray and roast in preheated oven until potato interiors become tender and easily pierced with fork, approximately one hour.
3. Allow potatoes to cool momentarily, then carefully slice each lengthwise, creating two equal halves.
4. Extract potato flesh delicately, maintaining a thin protective shell to support refilling later, transferring interior contents into mixing vessel.
5. Incorporate dairy components including sour cream, milk, and butter into extracted potato flesh, creating smooth, creamy consistency.
6. Fold shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon fragments, and finely chopped green onions into potato mixture, seasoning generously with salt and pepper.
7. Gently redistribute potato mixture back into original potato shells, creating slight mounding for enhanced visual appeal.
8. Sprinkle additional cheddar cheese atop each stuffed potato half, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
9. Return filled potatoes to oven, baking until cheese melts completely and develops golden, bubbling surface.
10. Garnish with extra green onion slices or bacon crumbles before serving piping hot.

Notes

• Choose starchy, dense potatoes like Russet or Idaho for the best texture and fluffiness.
• Prick potatoes thoroughly before baking to prevent potential steam explosions and ensure even cooking.
• For a lighter version, swap full-fat dairy with Greek yogurt, low-fat milk, and reduce cheese quantity.
• Experiment with alternative mix-ins like roasted garlic, herbs, or different cheese varieties to customize flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg