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Crispy Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins Recipe with Bacon and Cheddar

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A quick and easy snack featuring crispy potato skins loaded with smoky bacon and melty sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for entertaining or satisfying cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium russet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Sour cream for serving (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the russet potatoes thoroughly and prick them with a fork a few times to release steam.
  2. Bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack for about 45-50 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
  3. Cook the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 8-10 minutes). Drain on paper towels, then chop into small pieces.
  4. Cool the baked potatoes slightly. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the soft flesh, leaving about ¼ inch of potato on the skin to maintain structure. Reserve the scooped potato for another use.
  5. Brush the potato skins with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
  6. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the potato skins in a single layer, skin side down, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the edges are golden and crispy.
  7. Remove the skins and flip them over. Fill each skin with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese and chopped bacon.
  8. Return to the air fryer for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles. Watch closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.
  9. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

Cook potato skins in batches if your air fryer basket is small to avoid steaming instead of crisping. Add bacon halfway through the cheese melting step for extra crispy bacon. Use russet potatoes for best texture. Baking potatoes before air frying ensures fluffy insides and crispy skins. Refrigerate prepared skins before final air frying to reheat and crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato skins, air fryer, bacon, cheddar, snack, appetizer, crispy, loaded potato skins

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