Crispy Loaded Bacon Ranch Potato Skins
Crispy potato skins loaded with creamy ranch, smoky bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for snacks, parties, or game nights. This easy recipe delivers a crunchy, flavorful comfort food experience in under 45 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and scrub russet potatoes thoroughly.
- Prick potatoes a few times with a fork and place directly on the oven rack. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a skewer slides in easily.
- While potatoes bake, lay bacon strips on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut each in half lengthwise. Scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about ¼ inch of potato inside the skin.
- Brush potato skins inside and out with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and half of the ranch seasoning. Place skins skin side down on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes to crisp the outsides.
- Remove skins and flip skin side up. Mix sour cream, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, remaining ranch seasoning, and green onions in a bowl. Spoon filling evenly into each skin.
- Return loaded skins to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven, garnish with extra green onions and a dollop of sour cream if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
Do not wrap potatoes in foil to keep skins crispy. Double bake the skins for extra crunch. Adjust baking times for potato size. For dairy-free, use plant-based sour cream, cheese, and ranch seasoning. Bacon can be swapped with smoked turkey or smoked paprika for flavor variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 potato skin half
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: potato skins, bacon, ranch, snack, appetizer, crispy, cheesy, comfort food, party food