Tasty Potato Skins

This recipe is one of my kids' favorites- these are great with a big salad and fruit for dinner and everyone is happy! What's not to like about potatoes, cheese and bacon!?

Tasty potato skins ready to be devoured~

Make a quick batch of mashed potatoes out of the insides of the potatoes and save for later...

Tasty Potato Skins

   

6 small to medium sized russet baking potatoes 

olive oil and canola oil

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

6 strips of bacon

1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Optional additions:

sour cream and green onions

Scrub the potatoes clean then bake the potatoes in the oven at 400° for about an hour until the potatoes are cooked through and give a little when pressed. While the potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon strips in a frying pan on medium low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crisp. Drain on paper towels and after cooled, crumble. Or see Joy's tip below!

Remove the potatoes from the oven and let cool enough to handle. Cut in half horizontally. Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the insides, reserving the scooped potatoes for another use, leaving about 1/4 of an inch of potato on the skin.

Increase the heat of the oven to 450°F. Brush canola oil all over the potato skins, outside and in. Sprinkle with salt. Place on a baking rack in a roasting pan (don't use a cookie sheet, it will warp, use a roasting pan or broiler pan that can take the heat). Cook for 10 minutes on one side, then flip the skins over and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool enough to handle.

Arrange the potato skins skin-side down on the roasting pan or rack. Sprinkle the insides with cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. Return to the oven. Broil for an additional 2 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven. Use tongs to place skins on a serving plate. Add a dollop of sour cream to each skin, sprinkle with green onions, if desired. Enjoy!

recipe from simply recipes

A tip from Joy:

Costco has pre-cooked bacon that is so easy to prepare. All you need to do is microwave  strips for 1 minute 45 seconds between two sheets of paper towel, and the bacon you need is ready... no messy saute pans and perfect bacon every time. I keep a package in the freezer and when ever I need bacon for a recipe, I used this!