Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

Twice Baked Potatoes are the perfect holiday side dish. A baked potato shell is stuffed with Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese, sour cream and bacon bits.

When it comes to the best side dishes, these twice-baked potatoes are definitely our favorite. They are creamy, presentable, and taste delicious. We also love the Perfect Oven Baked Potatoes, Creamy Scalloped Potatoes, and Sweet Potato Souffle.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Best Twice Baked Potatoes

Twice Baked Potatoes are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The bacon bits make a huge difference here, as it elevates the flavor exponentially. It also gives them a nice smokey flavor, and some crunchiness when you bite into them. 

If you are a potato, cheese and bacon lover like us, you are destined to love these! They are perfect as a side dish, for parties, and for the holidays.

The great thing about this side dish is that it is filling. They are loaded with cheeses and stuffed with mashed potatoes, and are always a huge hit with everyone. Similarly, you can eat just the inside, but eating the skin is the most rewarding part. The skin is crunchy and crispy, and what makes this recipe so special.

What are Twice Baked Potatoes?

As the name implies, the process of making twice-baked potatoes involves cooking them twice. First, the potatoes are fully cooked in the oven. Then, the interior of the potatoes is scooped out, so that the skin of the potatoes remains as the “base shell”.

Next, the interior is mixed with other ingredients such as cheeses, sour cream, and bacon, which is then added back to the potato’s skin shell. Lastly, the potato shells are baked again with the mixture inside in the oven.

Twice Baked Potatoes

WHAT ARE THE BEST POTATOES FOR BAKING?

As a general rule, you want to use starchy potatoes when baking. The best ones for baking would be Yukon Gold and Russets potatoes, as they have the most starch in them.

How to make twice baked potatoes:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Then, wash and dry the potatoes. It is very important to pat them dry well.
  3. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with some olive oil and some sea salt, bake for about 1 hour. The potatoes should be tender inside if you poke a fork into them. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.
  4. With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support, about 1/4 inch of flesh on the sides. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
  5. Add the scooped potato interiors to a large mixing bowl.
  6. Then, add milk, sour cream, minced garlic, chopped green onions, bacon bits, and softened butter, stir well to combine.
  7. Next, add the shredded cheeses, season with salt and black pepper to taste and mix together well.
  8. Fill the potato shells with the filling, and sprinkle some more grated cheese on top.
  9. Put them back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes.

Great Topping Suggestions:

  • Your favorite shredded cheese
  • Chopped bacon or bacon crumbs
  • Green onion
  • Chopped chives
  • Sour Cream

HOW MUCH FIBER IS IN A POTATO WITHOUT SKIN?

The skin of the potato contains a good amount of fiber. However, if you are not a fan of eating the potato with skin-on, you will still get plenty of fiber.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 1-cup serving of potatoes without the skin contains about 3.2 grams of dietary fiber, slightly more than half the fiber you’d receive from a large baked potato with the skin intact.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Can you make Twice Baked Potatoes ahead of time?

The great thing about this dish is that it can be easily made in advance, and when the time comes just reheat to serve. When the potatoes are filled, transfer them to a baking dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Then, refrigerate them for several hours or even 1-2 days. Once ready to eat, put them in the oven and bake.

How to freeze them?

Before freezing, allow the potatoes to cool down. Once cooled, wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil and add to freezer bags. Then, place in the freezer for up to 1-2 months.

To thaw, stick the potatoes in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to serve, put the potatoes in the oven and bake them for about  15-20 minutes.

Recipe Tips:

  • Try using organic potatoes. Since the skin will be used, it is best to use organic, chemical-free potatoes.
  • Also, while any potato will work, Russet or baking potatoes hold up best in this recipe.
  • Before baking them, rinse and scrub them of any dirt. Similarly, make sure to dry them before coating with olive oil.
  • Watch the potatoes closely after about 30 minutes of baking. So, it would be best if you can flip them once or twice during the baking process, to ensure even cooking.
  • We used Pepper Jack cheese to give them a spicier kick. However, feel free to use your favorite cheeses. Swiss or Gruyere cheese will work just as well.
  • Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • If you plan to freeze them, do NOT add the green onions on top. Simply add prior to serving.
Twice Baked Potatoes

Twice Baked Potatoes

Catalina Castravet
Twice Baked Potatoes are the perfect holiday side dish. A baked potato shell is stuffed with Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese, sour cream and bacon bits.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 346 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 Russet or Yukon potatoes washed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • kosher salt

Potato Filling:

  • scooped potato flesh
  • 1/2 stick salted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk or half and half
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup green onions chopped
  • 1 cup bacon bits or crumbled cooked bacon
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese plus more for topping
  • 1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Then, wash and dry the potatoes. It is very important to pat them dry.
  • Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with some olive oil, sprinkle with salt and bake for about 50 minutes. The potatoes should be tender inside if you poked with a fork. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.
  • With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support, about 1/4 inch of flesh on the sides. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
  • Add the scooped potato interiors to a large mixing bowl. Add milk, sour cream, minced garlic, chopped green onions, bacon bits and softened butter, stir well to combine.
  • Add the cheeses, season with salt and black pepper to taste and mix together well.
  • Fill the potato shells with the filling, and sprinkle some more grated cheese on top.
  • Put them back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
  • Serve with extra toppings if desired: chopped green onion, chives, bacon crumbs and sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 13gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 527mgPotassium: 564mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 435IUVitamin C: 7.4mgCalcium: 165mgIron: 1.2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Twice Baked Potatoes

5 from 3 votes

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21 Comments

  1. I am drooling. I just love potatoes. I haven’t had a twice baked potato in ages, so I need to make these for dinner soon.

  2. These never last very long when they are served.  Everyone loves potato in any form it seems like.  With all the cheese, sour cream and bacon oh my give me two.

  3. Twice baked potatoes are so good. My recipe is a little bit different from yours so next time I’m making yours. Looks so delicious!

  4. Oh my gosh, I’m drooling! These twice-baked potatoes look so darn delicious. A feast for the eyes and mouth. I love my potatoes fully loaded, and yours look spectacular!

  5. This really is a great side dish. We love potatoes in all forms and cook with them regularly. I will make this at the next chance i get.

  6. I love twice the potatoes! Friend of mine makes them for Thanksgiving every single year and then scraps out all the insides and puts it in like a mashed potato. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. This looks amazing.

  7. I have to admit I love a good baked potato and these sound amazing! Love the idea of the twice baked and all those delicious ingredients yum!

  8. This looks good and makes a great side dish item or a great lunch. I cook mine in the crockpot and then load it up.

  9. Bacon really takes twice baked potatoes to a whole new level! These are like savory treats. Thanks for sharing your recipe!5 stars

  10. This recipe is so good and tasty this is such a perfect meal to prepare on this Christmas Eve. Thanks for sharing!5 stars

  11. I love this as a side when you are entertaining. All the work is done and then they just need to be heated up again. Perfect and gets you out of the kitchen, having fun with your guests.

  12. Those look so cheesy and delicious! I love the idea of doing a twice-baked method of cooking. I’ll have to give these a try.

  13. I love twice baked potatoes and haven’t made them in ages. I think I’ll add these to our menu plan over winter break.

  14. I don’t think I’ve ever had twice baked potatoes. They do look delicious. I’m simply put butter on my baked potatoes and I’m good to go. I’m going to have to try this recipe out soon. Cheers/