Cozy Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe: Crispy Shells, Fluffy Centers

Crafting the perfect twice baked potatoes requires a delightful blend of comfort and creativity.

Crispy potato skins hide a creamy, cheesy interior that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Fluffy potato flesh gets whipped with rich dairy and savory herbs, creating a mouthwatering canvas of flavor.

Cheese melts into every crevice, promising a decadent experience that satisfies deep hunger.

Each bite tells a story of warmth and indulgence, bringing together simple ingredients in a spectacular way.

Potato lovers will appreciate this classic dish that turns an ordinary side into a star attraction.

You can’t resist the temptation of these irresistible twice baked potatoes waiting to be devoured.

FAQs

• Are twice baked potatoes healthy?

Twice baked potatoes can be moderately nutritious when prepared with balanced ingredients. They provide good amounts of potassium, vitamin C, and protein from cheese and dairy. However, they are high in calories and fat due to butter, sour cream, and cheese.

• Can I make these potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare twice baked potatoes in advance. Assemble the stuffed potatoes, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before the final baking. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 extra minutes to cooking time.

• What type of potatoes work best?

Russet potatoes are ideal for twice baked potatoes because they have high starch content, creating a fluffy interior and crispy skin.

Twice Baked Potatoes Everyone Will Love

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Deliver a classic potato dish that satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its creamy, cheesy goodness.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn an easy method of transforming basic potatoes into a restaurant-worthy side dish with minimal cooking skills required.
• Perfect Party Performer: Create a versatile recipe ideal for potlucks, family dinners, and casual gatherings that looks impressive but takes minimal effort to prepare.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different cheese types, add crispy bacon bits, or swap green onions for herbs to make this recipe uniquely yours.

Ingredients For Twice Baked Potatoes

• Potatoes: Large, starchy potatoes perfect for creating a hearty and filling side dish.

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a smooth potato filling.
• Sour Cream, Milk: Provide moisture and create a velvety texture for the potato mixture.
• Cheese: Adds a delicious, melty topping and extra flavor to the potatoes.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Green Onions, Chives: Fresh herbs that bring a mild, oniony flavor and bright garnish to the twice-baked potatoes.

Preparing Twice Baked Potatoes Stepwise

Step 1: Prepare Potato Base

Thoroughly wash potatoes and use a fork to create small punctures across their surface. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and slide into a preheated oven at 400F.

Bake for approximately one hour until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 2: Hollow Out Potato Shells

Allow potatoes to cool slightly for safe handling.

Slice each potato lengthwise and carefully scoop out the inner flesh, maintaining a thin potato shell wall to preserve structural integrity.

Step 3: Create Creamy Potato Filling

• Butter
• Sour cream
• Milk
• Shredded cheese
• Chopped green onions

Mash ingredients together until achieving a smooth, luxurious consistency.

Season with salt and pepper according to personal taste preferences.

Step 4: Restuff Potato Shells

Generously spoon the creamy potato mixture back into the original potato skins, creating beautiful mounds of deliciousness.

Step 5: Final Cheese Topping

Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese across the filled potato shells. Return to oven preheated at 350F and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbly layer.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Optionally garnish with additional green onions or chives. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the comforting, cheesy potato goodness.

Ways To Improve Twice Baked Potatoes

• Choose medium-sized russet potatoes for the best texture and easiest scooping.
• Ensure potatoes are completely dry before baking to achieve crispy skin.
• Mash potato filling thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy consistency without lumps.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or pepper jack for extra flavor.
• Let potatoes cool slightly before scooping to prevent burning your hands and make handling easier.

Alternative Ideas For Twice Baked Potatoes

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace sour cream and milk with coconut milk, use vegan butter, and swap dairy cheese for nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese alternative.
• Bacon Lover's Version: Add crispy bacon bits to the potato filling and sprinkle extra bacon on top before the second bake for a smoky, protein-packed variation.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Mix in diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and add a dash of cumin and chili powder to the potato filling for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs like oregano and parsley into the potato mixture for a Mediterranean twist.

Side Dishes For Twice Baked Potatoes

• Cozy Comfort Meal: Pair these twice-baked potatoes with a crisp green salad and grilled chicken for a complete, satisfying dinner that feels like a warm hug.
• Game Night Snack: Cut potatoes into smaller bite-sized portions for an irresistible party appetizer that will disappear quickly among friends during sports events or movie nights.
• Breakfast Twist: Top each potato with a fried egg and crispy bacon bits to transform this side dish into a hearty morning meal that will energize your day.
• Vegetarian Delight: Replace cheese with nutritional yeast and add roasted vegetables like bell peppers and spinach to create a plant-based version packed with flavor and nutrients.

How To Store Twice Baked Potatoes

• Store leftover twice baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out and preserve their creamy texture.
• Seal the container tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.

Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty twice baked potatoes from Idaho blend creamy potatoes with rich cheese and crispy bacon. Comfort classics like these satisfy hunger and warm souls with classic American flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes:

• 4 large russet potatoes

Dairy:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• Salt
• Pepper

Optional Toppings:

• Extra cheese
• Chives

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Instructions

1. Wash potatoes thoroughly and puncture with a fork. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast at 400F for approximately 60 minutes until fully softened.
2. Allow potatoes to cool slightly, then slice longitudinally. Carefully extract interior potato pulp, maintaining a thin protective shell.
3. Transfer potato pulp into a mixing vessel. Incorporate butter, sour cream, and milk, blending until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Fold half the cheese and chopped green onions into the potato mixture. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring balanced flavors.
5. Generously refill potato shells with the creamy potato mixture, creating elegant mounds of filling.
6. Sprinkle remaining cheese atop each potato half, creating a generous coverage.
7. Reduce oven temperature to 350F and return potatoes to bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
8. Optional: Garnish with additional fresh green onions or delicate chives for enhanced visual appeal and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly tender potatoes by selecting uniform-sized russet potatoes for consistent baking.
• Enhance flavor depth by roasting garlic alongside potatoes during initial baking for subtle aromatic notes.
• Keep potato shells sturdy by leaving a slightly thicker layer of potato flesh when scooping, preventing potential tearing.
• Create lighter version by substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream and using reduced-fat cheese without compromising creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg