How To Make Twice Baked Potatoes Favorite Family Recipes

Whether you’re looking for something to add to your holiday spread, your game day buffet, or a special side to jazz up a weeknight dinner, these Twice Baked Potatoes are perfect! Everyone will love the cheese and bacon stuffed filling and the buttery, crisp potato skin. You might think to just top regular baked potatoes with these toppings, but this method is WAY better. The second bakes makes all the difference! If you are wanting to have Twice Baked Potatoes as a full meal, try our BBQ Beef Twice Baked Potatoes!

Ingredients in Twice Baked Potatoes

Russet Potatoes – A good Idaho Russet potato is best for this recipe. Russet potatoes are great because of their fluffy interior and sturdy skin. One half of a Russet potato is also a good portion size for each person, especially if you use large russet potatoes.

How to Make the Perfect Baked Potato Base

To make Twice Baked Potatoes, you need to start out with perfectly baked potatoes. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Get your russet potatoes out and scrub them thoroughly under warm running water. Dry them off completely. Using a fork, poke about 10 holes all over each potato. Rub the outside of each potato with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or canola oil. Sprinkle kosher salt all over the potato. Then, place a baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven to stop any drips. Place the potatoes directly onto the top rack. Bake for about 1 hour, or until skins are crispy and the inside is tender.

Toppings for Twice Baked Potatoes

In this twice baked potato recipe, we mash the baked potato filling and add cheddar cheese, sour cream, and bacon. We then scoop the potato mixture back into the potato skins. This is an incredibly delicious way to fill the potato skins, however it is not the only way. Here are some additional filling mix-in and topping ideas:

Diced hamGrilled chickenShredded beef or porkBroccoliGreen onionsChivesOlivesRanch dressingGarlic powder

Making Twice Baked Potatoes Ahead of Time

When planning a big get-together like a holiday party or Super Bowl party, you want to make as many preparations ahead of time as possible. That way, on the day of, you can actually enjoy yourself! You can prepare these ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until time to heat and serve. Follow the instructions below, but stop before topping with extra cheese and bacon and baking the second time. Put the potatoes on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Put them in the fridge if you plan on baking within a few days, or put in the freezer if you plan on baking them within 1-2 months. Once the potatoes have frozen solid you can put them in a Ziplock bag so they take up less space in the freezer. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and top with extra cheese and bacon. To cook from the fridge, just broil the potatoes until the cheese melts. To cook from frozen, bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until they are heated through and the cheese is melted.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Now, I will be shocked if you have leftovers. My family almost always eats the whole pan and fights over who gets the last one. However, if you do find yourself with leftovers, you can save them. Put them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure the potatoes completely cool before you tore them, otherwise the condensation will gather on the inside of the container and make them soggy. To reheat, put it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or broil in the oven until cheese is melted. The microwave method is quick, but it won’t have quite the same consistency. The oven method takes longer, but gives you a better consistency, especially on the skins.

Frequently Asked Questions About Twice Baked Potatoes

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