These Jalapeno Baked Potato Skins are a party recipe hit! Start with baked red potato skins and top with chopped bacon, jalapeno slices, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese.
loaded potato skins
These potato skins are over-the-top party appetizer goodness. Get ready to be asked for the recipe! Everyone raves over these tasty bites.
Baked potato skins have always been one of my favorite appetizers. Crunch potatoes topped with melted cheese? Doesn’t get much better than that.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THESE BAKED POTATO SKINS:
- 12 medium-sized red potatoes
- 1 cup, cream cheese
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 1 cup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese
HOW TO MAKE LOADED BAKED POTATO SKINS:
- To cook whole potatoes, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Poke potatoes with a fork and bake for 30 minutes or until easily pierced with a sharp knife.
- Meanwhile, cook up bacon in a skillet. Then chop and set aside.
- Remove potatoes, turn oven heat up to 450 degrees.
- Carefully chop or dice jalapeno peppers (I recommend using kitchen gloves)
- Cut each potato in half, scoop out insides and bake in oven for 10 minutes more.
- Add to each potato skin: 1 Tablespoon of cream cheese, sprinkle of jalapeno, couple pieces of bacon, and top with a generous sprinkle of the sharp cheddar cheese.
- Finish off with about 5 minutes under high broil, until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve immediately with ketchup for dipping.
Except when you add jalapeno slices and a dollop of cream cheese for delicious Jalapeno Potato Skins. Dip them into ketchup and it’s a flavor explosion.
I like to use red potatoes for this recipe. They’re a good size and full of flavor. You can even bake them ahead of time, which is so helpful if you’re preparing multiples appetizers for a party. I like to bake the potatoes and even cook the bacon a day or two in advance, as part of my meal prep.
On the day of the party, top them with a spoonful of cream cheese, jalapeno slices (chopped or sliced, depending on the heat level desired), and chopped bacon.
Finish off with a generous sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese and bake under the boiler until melted and bubbling. YUM.
handy tools to make these loaded potato skins so easily:
- serrated knife – slice things without crushing them, sharp, dishwasher safe
- skillet – nonstick, easy clean
I like to serve individual ramekins with ketchup or nacho cheese, so everyone gets their own. People love to dip!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you make potato skins ahead?
You can prebake and precook the bacon and just keep them sealed tightly in the fridge. Then just assemble when ready to bake. You can also assemble them and then refrigerate for a couple days. You would just need to increase the baking time if you have them already assembled and cold.
How to make baked potato skins crispy?
Usually just the broiling will help with this. However, if you want them really crispy you can scoop out the insides, then flip them over and bake for a bit, then assemble and broil.
What to serve with loaded potato skins?
We usually serve an appetizer type side with a good burger or sandwich. Think chicken sandwich, deli sandwich bar, or juicy cheeseburgers!
Jalapeno Baked Potato Skins
These Jalapeno Baked Potato Skins are a party recipe hit! Start with baked red potato skins and top with chopped bacon, jalapeno slices, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- 12 medium-sized red potatoes
- 1 cup, cream cheese
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 1 cup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- To cook whole potatoes, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Poke potatoes with a fork and bake for 30 minutes or until easily pierced with a sharp knife.
- Meanwhile, cook up bacon in a skillet. The, chop and set aside.
- Remove potatoes, turn oven heat up to 450 degrees.
- Carefully chop or dice jalapeno peppers (I recommend using kitchen gloves)
- Cut each potato in half, scoop out insides and bake in oven for 10 minutes more.
- Add to each potato skin: 1 Tablespoon of cream cheese, sprinkle of jalapeno, couple pieces of bacon, and top with a generous sprinkle of the sharp cheddar cheese.
- Finish off with about 5 minutes under high broil, until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve immediately with ketchup for dipping.
Notes
- Baked potatoes and cooked bacon can be done in advance for easy party prep! Just store both in fridge until ready to slice, load up, and bake again.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 308Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 236mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g
dianne collins says
501 calories for 1/2 of a red potato??
Alison says
The calorie count is for a serving, which is 2 potato skins. I did adjust the measurements, which changed the overall nutrition a bit. Let me know if you have any other questions!