Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice Baked Potatoes are a cozy, classic dish that’s all about flavor and texture. They’re baked, scooped, mashed, and then baked again for that perfect mix of creamy insides and crispy tops. The spuds are loaded with your favorite toppings, like cheese and bacon, and have a way of being both totally indulgent and comforting. They’re perfect for a side dish or a light lunch.
Side dishes can make or break a meal and twice-baked potatoes definitely will make a dinner even better. The delicious combination of textures and flavors has kept this dish popular for generations and easily customizable. Go simple with cheddar and bacon, or all out with leftovers of this slow cooker shredded buffalo chicken, or mix it with your favorite vegetables. Serve them with Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, too.
Until I was an adult, I thought Twice Baked Potatoes were so fancy and we only had them on Christmas with our slow cooker spiral ham. I know better now and they can be an easy weeknight side and still be fancy to serve on holidays. They go with slow cooker everything seasoning pot roast, oven baked chicken bites, or by themselves!
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice Baked Potatoes are a comfort food staple, blending the rich, creamy texture of mashed potatoes with a crispy skin. As the name suggests, they’re baked not once but two times, resulting in a simple, yet elegant dish.
When making this Russet potatoes are the best choice. Their thick skins can withstand two rounds of baking, and their fluffy interior makes for a creamy, flavorful filling. Although, you can use use baby reds or Yukons to make an a delicious mini twice baked potato appetizer. The process involved is baking a Russet, scooping out the flesh, mixing it with your favorite toppings, filling the skins, and then returning to the oven to bake again. The result is a crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious treat.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
- Be sure to wash and pat dry the vegetable.
- Don’t skip the pricking of the skin. This allows steam to escape and keeps the skins from splitting.
- For the first bake, make sure they are fully cooked and soft all the way through. Test with a fork, if it slides in easily, they’re ready.
- To prepare this recipe in advance, you can bake the spuds and scoop out the flesh. Mix up the filling as directed and stuff the shells. Store filled skins in the fridge until ready to bake. Bring to room temperature before baking.
- Substitute the cheddar for your favorite cheese.
- Use turkey bacon instead.
- Mix roasted garlic and shredded Parmesan into the mashed filling for a savory twist. Top with extra Parmesan for a golden crust.
- Add small steamed broccoli florets to the filling.
- Top the filled taters with tangy BBQ pulled pork and a drizzle of BBQ sauce before the second bake.
- Add seasoned ground beef or turkey, a bit of taco seasoning, and shredded cheese.
By following these simple tips, you can elevate your side dish game and it will impress your guests.
How to Store and Reheat Twice Baked Potatoes
You can store twice baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They reheat well in the microwave, but if you have some extra time you can certainly reheat them in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees until warmed through.
To freeze them, wrap tightly in plastic, then place in an air-tight freezer container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost before reheating.
What to Serve with Twice Baked Potatoes
- Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad
- Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
- Brussels Sprout Salad with Maple Dressing
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Tools Needed for Twice-Baked Potatoes
The necessary tools you will need are common kitchen items. I am recommend a few gadgets you may not have but easily substituted with ones you do have.
- baking sheet
- skillet
- potato masher (or you can use a ricer or electric hand mixer)
- knife
- cutting board
- spoon
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
These are the ingredients I used to make a traditional doubled baked potato, you may use other foods to make your own version.
- Russet potatoes
- sour cream
- cup milk
- bacon
- olive oil
- unsalted butter
- shredded cheddar cheese
- scallions
- Salt and pepper to taste
This recipe relies on a handful of simple, everyday ingredients that come together to deliver a big punch of flavor.
How to Make Twice Baked Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Wash and scrub the baking potatoes thoroughly. Pat them dry and prick them with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape during baking.
Rub with oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them directly on a baking sheet. Bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.
Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and then chop or crumble. Set aside.
Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly so you can handle them. Cut each in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the insides, leaving a thin shell to hold the filling.
In a mixing bowl, mash the potato insides with a fork or potato masher. Add the sour cream, milk, butter, half of the crumbled bacon, half of the shredded cheddar, half of the chopped scallions, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are combined and the mixture is creamy.
Spoon the mixture back into the shells, mounding it slightly. Top each with the remaining shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon.
Place the pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining chopped scallions. Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving.
Want to keep this delicious recipe on hand? Save this post and print it out to add to your meal plan. You’ll thank yourself later!
Printable Recipe Card
Twice Baked Potatoes
Equipment
- skillet
- knife
- spoon
Ingredients
- 4 large Russet baking potatoes
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 scallions, finely sliced
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash and scrub the baking potatoes thoroughly. Pat them dry and prick them with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Rub with oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them directly on a baking sheet. Bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.
- Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and then chop or crumble. Set aside.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly so you can handle them. Cut each in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the insides, leaving a thin shell to hold the filling.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the potato insides with a fork or potato masher. Add the sour cream, milk, butter, half of the crumbled bacon, half of the shredded cheddar, half of the chopped scallions, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are combined and the mixture is creamy.
- Spoon the mixture back into the shells, mounding it slightly. Top each with the remaining shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon.
- Place the pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining chopped scallions. Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Holiday Side Dishes to Try
This week is the annual holiday side dish event hosted by Heather from Hezzi D’s Recipe Box. Check out more recipes!
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Enjoy!
Twice baked potatoes are the best and worth the effort for sure.
Totally agree!
I always thought twice-baked potatoes were just restaurant special occasion food too. I finally realized they are well worth making at home on a regular basis. Yours look fabulous and thanks for mentioning my mini potatoes!
Yes, they really are worth the extra steps!
I’ve got some chili stashed in the freezer that will be great poured over these potatoes!
Oh yes!
You can never go wrong with twice baked potatoes! People think they’re too time consuming and difficult. But they don’t realize you can make a lot of the recipe ahead of time! Then just stuff and bake the day of.
Yes! Prep them and then bake when ready!
Twice baked potatoes are one of my favorite sides and I never make them! That needs to change stat!
I don’t make them enough either!
This is a divine side. Folks here would love to have this anytime of the year. I am adding this to the menu.