See Recipe Pin Recipe
These Bacon and Cheese Potato Skins are great as an appetizer or snack food for game nights and even as a tasty, savory side dish!
Alright guys...hold on tight! Can you believe that I've never actually had potato skins up until our last night in Paraguay?
I don't know how this happened - I mean it's classic pub grub. Well, probably because I don't usually hang out in pubs or bars. Definitely more of a coffee shop hang-out kinda girl. If you've followed me for any decent amount of time, you definitely know this by now.
On our last evening in Asuncion, Paraguay, we planned to have dinnerat a much-recommended local eatery. However, once we got there, there was not a single free table and we didn't care enough for the atmosphere to wait it out. We also were soo hungry...
T.G.I. Friday's To the Rescue!
Thankfully, right across the street was a T.G.I. Friday's, which I hear is an American restaurant chain. To me, it was novelty enough to be excited about trying it out. The menu pointed to the restaurant's fame for their potato skins, so of course we had to taste for ourselves to see what it was all about.
We absolutely LOVED the potato skins. I mean - really, what's not to love about crispy, buttery potatoes with bacon and cheese and a green onion sour cream dip to round it all up.
OF COURSE I had to find a way to make these wonder potatoes at home - and the result wasn't lacking anything behind the restaurant original.
For now, we move on to the last stop of our Paraguay vacation. I love sharing our trips with you, and pregnant or not, I'm going to make sure you have a recipe to read and some cool vacation shots to enjoy. And so, without further ado...
Asuncion City
After our visit in the Gran Chaco (in the middle of nowhere), we returned to Paraguay's capital of Asuncion for a few more days of relaxation and to explore the city.
Pantheon de los heroes - an entire building dedicated as memorial to various war heroes
The beautiful Government Palace
The downtown core was easy to explore on foot. I was in love with the historic buildings and the city's liveliness. So many people where out and about on foot like us, and street sellers had everything from food and drinks to movies + music and clothes on offer. The quantity was staggering!
All these fancy thermoses were most interesting to me. They are for drinking yerba tea, either hot as mate or cold as tereré. Drinking the tea is a shared community experience that we could observe at every street corner.
The tea leaves are filled in the small cup with a metal straw. Then the cup is filled with hot or ice water and passed around in a circle while regularly being topped up with water. A curious sight to see for me as a visitor, but I guess it is a great way to encourage to stay hydrated in this warm climate, as well as staying well-connected to your neighbors.
Konrad had a close a encounter with a little birdie while we were resting in the shade on a park bench
Plenty of relaxing and reading by the pool to finish off our vacation. Can you believe they had Dulce de leche ice cream?!
And these potato skins from our last dinner in Paraguay at T.G.I. Friday's inspired today's recipe.
The potato skins are great as an appetizer or snack food for game nights and even as a side dish. Enjoy the spoils and get snacking!
Another delicious Potato Recipe:
- Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Bacon and Cheese Potato Skins
5 from 1 vote
These bacon and cheese potato skins are great as an appetizer or snack food for game nights and even as a tasty, savory side dish!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 16 potato skins
Ingredients
- 8 medium-small potatoes cleaned and dried
- ⅛ cup butter melted
- salt
- black pepper freshly ground
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 5 to 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- sour cream
- green onion
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Pierce each potato a few times with a fork or knife. Bake potatoes directly on the center oven rack for about 50 minutes. Skins should be crisp and you can easily insert a knife.
Cool potatoes for about 10 minutes. Cut each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh - leave about ¼ inch. Brush insides with melted butter and season with salt + pepper. Turn potatoes, now brush the outsides with butter and season with salt + pepper.
Turn oven to broil and arrange potatoes on a baking sheet. Broil skin-side up for 2-3 minutes until the butter starts to foam. Turn potato halves over and broil another 2-3 minutes until top edges start to brown.
Fill the potato skins with shredded cheese and bacon crumbles and broil 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly,
Serve immediately with sour cream and chopped green onion.
Keyword Bacon and Cheese Potato Skins
Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below! Share a picture on social media with tag #leelalicious !
Pin Bacon & Cheese Potato Skins recipe for later?
Recipe adapted from Chow.com
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Check out these similar recipes!
- Thai Style Pork Meatballs
- Instant Pot Chili - Southwest Style - Video
- Roasted Beet Hummus
- How to Make Homemade Hummus
Random Questions
What can you do with potato skins?
Potato skins can be used to make a variety of appetizers or snacks. They are commonly used to create dishes like loaded potato skins filled with toppings such as cheese, bacon, and sour cream. They can also be repurposed to make crispy snacks or used as a flavorful addition to soups and stews.
What to do with potato scooped out of potato skins?
The scooped-out potato flesh can be repurposed into various dishes. It can be mashed and used as a side dish, or added to soups, stews, or casseroles to add texture and flavor. Additionally, it can be used to make potato pancakes, gnocchi, or even as a thickening agent for certain recipes.
How many calories are in a baked potato skin with cheese and bacon?
The calorie count in a baked potato skin with cheese and bacon can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the portion size. However, typically, a single potato skin topped with cheese and bacon could range anywhere from 100 to 200 calories per serving.
Where did stuffed potato skins come from?
Stuffed potato skins, a popular appetizer or snack, are believed to have originated in the United States. They gained popularity in the 1970s and have since become a well-loved dish served in various restaurants and homes across the country. They are known for their crispy texture and flavorful toppings, making them a favorite among many.
