Description
These Crispy Chili Loaded Potato Skins are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining perfectly baked russet potatoes with hearty chili, melted cheddar cheese, and fresh toppings. They are crispy on the outside, deliciously cheesy inside, and topped with creamy sour cream and vibrant green onions for a flavorful snack or appetizer that will dazzle your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Filling & Toppings
- 1 cup cooked chili
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for baking the potatoes to a perfect crispy texture.
- Prepare the potatoes: Wash and scrub the russet potatoes thoroughly, then pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Season the potatoes: Rub the potatoes with olive oil to coat evenly, then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, which will enhance their flavor and help create a crispy skin.
- Bake the potatoes: Place the prepared potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and hollow out: Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly until manageable. Cut each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out some of the potato flesh, leaving a sturdy shell for the filling.
- Fill with chili and cheese: Spoon a generous amount of cooked chili into each potato skin half, then top each with shredded cheddar cheese to cover the filling completely.
- Bake again: Return the filled potato skins to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, creating a delightful golden crust.
- Add final toppings and serve: Remove the potato skins from the oven and garnish each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions before serving warm.
Notes
- Use fully cooked chili for convenience; leftover chili works great.
- For extra crispiness, place the potato skins on a baking sheet during the second bake.
- Customize toppings by adding jalapeños, bacon bits, or diced tomatoes if desired.
- Leftover potato flesh can be mashed and served as a side dish or saved for another recipe.
