Twice Baked Potatoes

With just a few simple and affordable ingredients, you can serve your family a dish that’s oh-so-satisfying. Twice baked potatoes are perfect for daily dinners, parties, meal prep, and more. 

Suitable for Gluten Free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

One of my favorite things to get when we splurge at a steakhouse is a twice baked potato. It’s the perfect rich and creamy side dish. The good news is you can make them for your family using simple ingredients.

With this recipe, you can get a big flavor without fancy tools or specialty items. Plus, like my smothered cabbage or easy smothered green beans, if you cook in batches, these loaded twice baked potato recipe is more cost-effective. 

Of course, double baked potatoes go great with just about any meal. Serve them alongside everything from weeknight buttermilk chicken tenders to a lunch salad. Or they pair well with your St. Patrick’s Day corned beef!

One of our favorite ways to serve them is at a party or gathering. I love to set these on our Super Bowl party table with extra toppings. It makes for a fun, interactive presentation that each person can customize to their liking. 

Why Make This Recipe

• It’s delicious – Using just small amounts of rich ingredients, like cream cheese, give the filling a wonderful flavor.
• It’s quick and easy – In an hour and a few steps, you can go from pantry to table. 
• It’s flexible – You can easily swap out the ingredients using things you have on hand. 

Ingredient Notes

• Potatoes. I love russet potatoes are not only budget-friendly, but they give you a great fluffy mash with crispy skin. 
• Cheese. I like shredded cheddar cheese as it gives a mild taste, or you can use any cheese you like. 
• Bacon. Using crumbled bacon on top of the potatoes gives big flavor.
• Green onions. I love adding fresh chopped green onions, but have also used fresh or dried chives, it all works. 
• Cream cheese. Mixing in a few tablespoons of herb cream cheese gives the filling a wonderful creamy texture. 
• Sour Cream. I use a dollop of sour cream adds creamy and zing flavor to the filling. You can use low fat or regular sour cream and even yogurt. 
• Salt and pepper. I keep it simple with a little dash of salt and pepper. 

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Twice Baked Potatoes

So, let’s put this recipe together in easily. Get the full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C / gas 6). Wash and dry your potatoes thoroughly, then prick them with a fork. 
2. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or a baking tray and bake for 45-55 minutes, turning halfway through, until fork-tender.
3. Once baked, let the potatoes cool for 5-10 minutes. Slice them in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh into a bowl.
4. Mash the potato flesh with sour cream, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and half the grated cheese until smooth.
5. Refill the potato skins with the mashed mixture and top with sprinkled cheese. Bake for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6. Garnish with chopped green onions and bacon crumbles. 

How To Air Fry Twice Baked Potatoes

1. Wash the potatoes and bake in the air fryer at 360 degrees F for 45 minutes, turning halfway, until easily pierced with a skewer.
2. Slice the potatoes lengthwise and scoop out the flesh into a bowl, reserving the skins.
3. Mash the potato flesh with sour cream, half the cheddar, cream cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill the potato skins with the mixture and place in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes.
5. Top with the remaining cheese and bacon crumbles, then cook for another 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.

Tips For Success

• Use a small spoon to scoop the filling from the potato skins.
• Scoop out the potato flesh when the potatoes are cool enough to handle, but still warm to ensure the interior stays soft. 
• Buy a block of cheese on sale and shred it yourself instead of using the bagged, preshredded cheese.
• Don’t overmix the potato mixture – it can turn gummy and thick.

Variations

• Add vegetables. Mix in sauteed onions or mushrooms, or steamed and chopped broccoli or cauliflower to the filling for color, texture, and volume.
• Sub yogurt. Swap the sour cream with plain yogurt for a different tangy twist.
• Change the seasonings. Instead of plain salt and pepper, use a Cajun, ranch, or chili seasoning for a big flavor punch.
• Top the potatoes. For a fun change, top the finished potatoes with diced chicken, taco meat, or shredded barbecue. 

Budget-Friendly Tips 

• Purchase a bag of potatoes instead of individual ones, then make the recipe in bulk and freeze the leftovers.
• Cook and crumble your own bacon instead of prepackaged bacon bits. Look for bacon pieces and ends – they are often cheaper and work great in this recipe. 

Prep Ahead And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Bake the potatoes and prepare the filling a day in advance. Assemble them just before baking. 
• Store – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Freeze – Wrap each filled potato tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, then sprinkle with additional cheese and bake. 

Meal Prep

• You can meal prep these by storing them stuffed but unbaked in the fridge. You can bake them or air fry them fresh when needed. Prep the toppings in individual containers to add fresh just before serving. 

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

Love these, then you might like these other recipe too.

• Slow Cooker Creamed Corn is easy.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes is so dreamy.
• Smothered Green Beans is loved by everyone
• Smothered Cabbage is one of my favs.
• Yes please for dump and start Instant Pot Red Potatoes.

Serving Suggestions

• Alongside these Thanksgiving sides.
• Delicious Stuffed Turkey Breast.
• This crispy Air Fryer Whole Chicken.
• Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast.

Did you make this recipe? Then I would love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a comment and star rating below. And I really appreciate you sharing this recipe with your family and friends. Enjoy every mouthful 😊🍲 – Bintu

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