Hi there, food lover! 👋 Ready for a seriously indulgent appetizer that’s bursting with melty cheese, savory bacon, and tangy ranch flavors? These Cheesy Bacon Ranch Loaded Potato Skins are crispy, creamy, and absolutely crowd-pleasing—perfect for game day, potlucks, or when you just want to treat yourself.
Ingredients:
- 6 medium russet potatoes
- Olive oil or melted butter (for brushing)
- ½ lb (about 8 oz) thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar + Monterey Jack) Facebook+4Favorite Family Recipes+4Good Housekeeping+4The Guardian
- 2 tsp ranch seasoning mix (plus extra optional) Good Housekeeping
- Sour cream or ranch dressing, for serving
- Optional toppings: sliced scallions or chives Reddit+15The Food Cafe+15Favorite Family Recipes+15
Directions:
- Bake the potatoes: Preheat oven to about 400°F (200°C). Pierce potatoes with a fork and bake for ~50 minutes until tender The Food Cafe+1.
- Prep the skins: Let potatoes cool slightly, then halve them lengthwise and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a thin shell.
- Crisp up the skins: Brush both sides of the shells with olive oil or melted butter. Increase oven to around 475°F (246°C) and bake the shells for about 14 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy Favorite Family Recipes+5The Food Cafe+5The Guardian+5.
- Load and melt: Sprinkle inside each shell with a little ranch seasoning, then fill with cheese and bacon. Return to the oven just long enough (2–5 minutes) for the cheese to melt and bubble The Food Cafe+2Good Housekeeping+2.
- Serve: Top with sour cream or ranch dressing and a sprinkle of scallions or chives—dig in while hot!
Nutritional Note:
Pre-made bacon‑ranch potato skins (e.g. TGI Fridays frozen version) clock in at around 190 calories per piece (about 81 g), with 12 g fat, 260 mg sodium, and 7 g protein thefreshgrocer.com. DIY versions may vary slightly depending on ingredient choices.
⌛ Timing Recap:
- Prep: ~15 minutes
- Initial baking: ~50 minutes
- Final crisping & topping: ~15 minutes
- Total: ~1 hour 20 minutes
These loaded potato skins are pure joy—crispy shell, gooey cheese, smoky bacon, and bold ranch tang in every bite. Serve them up with a cold drink and watch them disappear fast!
Bon appétit and happy snacking
