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Crispy Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon

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A quick and easy snack recipe featuring crispy potato skins loaded with melted sharp cheddar cheese and smoky bacon, cooked perfectly in an air fryer for a delicious treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup sour cream (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce each russet potato several times with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 45–50 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife.
  2. Let potatoes cool for about 10 minutes. Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about a ¼-inch border to keep skins sturdy.
  3. Brush insides and outsides of potato skins with olive oil. Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika evenly over the skins.
  4. Place potato skins skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes until skins are golden and crisp. Flip halfway through if needed.
  5. Remove skins from air fryer. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly inside each skin. Return to air fryer for 3–5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Top with sliced green onions and a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not rush the initial baking of potatoes to ensure skins crisp properly. Avoid overloading skins with cheese or bacon to keep them crispy. Arrange skins skin-side down first in the air fryer and flip halfway for even crisping. Save scooped potato flesh for mashing or adding to scrambled eggs. If no air fryer, bake at 425°F (220°C) until crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato skins, air fryer, cheddar cheese, bacon, crispy snack, loaded potato skins, easy snack, game day food

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/crispy-air-fryer-loaded-potato-skins-with-cheddar-and-bacon-recipe-easy-and-perfect-snack-ideas/