Bacon is a magical ingredient that can transform any dish into something extraordinary, and it works wonders in these Loaded Bacon Ranch Potato Skins. This delightful appetizer or snack is perfect for game day, movie night, or just as a tasty treat when you’re feeling indulgent. I’m here to guide you through the process of creating this delicious dish that features crispy potato skins loaded with succulent bacon, creamy ranch dressing, and gooey cheese.
Loaded Bacon Ranch Potato Skins
Crispy potato skins loaded with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch dressing, making for the perfect appetizer or snack.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 50 min | Total: 15 min
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Pierce each potato with a fork several times.
- Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for about 50 minutes, or until tender.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Slice each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato attached to the skin.
- Brush the inside of the potato skins with olive oil and return them to the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove the skins from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly inside each skin.
- Top the cheese with the crumbled bacon.
- Return the potato skins to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream and ranch dressing.
- Drizzle the sour cream and ranch mixture over the loaded potato skins.
- Garnish with chopped green onions if desired and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbs: 28 g
- Protein: 12 g
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Let’s start with the ingredients you will need:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 8 slices of cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating up, scrub the russet potatoes under running water to remove any dirt. Once they’re clean, prick them several times with a fork. This allows steam to escape while they bake. Next, rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle some salt over them. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a knife.
Step 2: Scoop Out the Potato Flesh
This is the fun part! Once your potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out some of the potato flesh, leaving enough to ensure the skins are sturdy for loading. You can save the scooped-out potato for another recipe, like mashed potatoes!
Step 3: Prepare the Skins
After hollowing out the potatoes, brush the insides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the potato skins face down on a baking sheet and return them to the oven for about 10-15 minutes until they are crispy. This step elevates the texture and flavor of your potato skins.
Step 4: Fill the Skins
Now it’s time to load them up! Remove the crispy potato skins from the oven and flip them over. Start by layering the chopped bacon evenly across each skin. Next, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the bacon. Pop them back into the oven for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Final Touches
Once your loaded potato skins are out of the oven, combine the sour cream and ranch dressing in a bowl. Drizzle this creamy mixture over your potato skins and garnish with the sliced green onions. Your Loaded Bacon Ranch Potato Skins are now ready to serve!
These delicious little bites are sure to be a hit at your next gathering. I hope you enjoy making and eating them as much as I do!
