These crispy baked potato skins are easy to make at home and taste even better than the restaurant version. They're crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and totally customizable depending on what you're craving. Whether you're making them for game day, a party, or just a fun snack night at home, this recipe is always a win!
Why You'll Love These Crispy Baked Potato Skins
If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that everyone gets excited about, baked potato skins are always the answer. Crispy potato skins, brushed with garlic butter, baked until golden, and loaded with cheese, bacon, and all your favorite toppings? There's a reason they never go out of style.
Most restaurant style potato skins are deep fried and then the toppings are added. Typically, there isn't a dedicated fryer which makes them a no-go for gluten-free diners.
This oven baked potato skins recipe is naturally gluten free, they taste amazing and are so simple to make at home.They can even be prepped ahead of time if you're having guests.
Here's why this recipe works so well:
- Russet potatoes hold their shape and crisp beautifully
- Garlic butter adds serious flavor
- Baking instead of frying keeps things easy
- Endless topping options make everyone happy
Ingredients You'll Need
Potatoes
Russet potatoes work best for baked potato skins because the skin is sturdy and crisps up nicely in the oven. If you want smaller, bite-sized potato skins, choose smaller russet potatoes and cut them in half.
Garlic Butter Sauce
This simple sauce is what takes these potato skins from basic to irresistible. You'll need:
- Butter
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
The butter helps the skins crisp, while the garlic, paprika, and parmesan add flavor in every bite.
Toppings
This is where you can really have fun. Classic toppings include:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crispy bacon
- Sliced green onions
- Sour cream
Feel free to mix it up with whatever you love. The possibilities are endless!
Looking for more gluten free recipes for game day? Be sure to check out my collection of our favorite gluten free game day eats!
How to Make Crispy Baked Potato Skins
Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
Start by baking the potatoes until they're fork-tender. You can bake them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Let them cool slightly so they're easier to handle. If you have an instant pot, use that to cut down on the baking time.
Step 2: Scoop the Potatoes
Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out most of the inside, leaving a thin layer of potato attached to the skin. This helps the skins hold their shape and stay crispy.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
Melt the butter and stir in garlic powder, paprika, parmesan cheese, and salt. This garlic butter sauce is the secret to extra flavorful potato skins.
Step 4: Brush and Bake
Brush the garlic butter generously over both sides of the potato skins. Place them skin-side up on a baking sheet and bake until the edges start to crisp.
Flip the skins over, brush with more garlic butter, and bake again until they're golden and crispy.
Step 5: Add Toppings
Once the skins are crisp, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese into each potato skin and return them to the oven until the cheese is melted. Top with bacon, green onions, sour cream, or any toppings you like.
Tip: After scooping, save the insides of the potato for another meal. Plan to serve mashed potatoes for dinner sometime in the next few days! Or you can use the potato flesh to top our favorite Shepherd's Pie recipe. No waste here!
Topping Ideas and Variations
One of the best things about potato skins is how customizable they are. Try these ideas:
- Classic: Cheddar, bacon, green onions, sour cream
- Loaded: Add jalapeños or hot sauce
- BBQ Style: BBQ sauce, cheddar, bacon
- Vegetarian: Cheese, green onions, sour cream
- Extra Cheesy: Mix mozzarella or pepper jack with cheddar
You can easily set up a topping bar and let everyone build their own.
Tips for Extra Crispy Potato Skins
- Use russet potatoes for the best texture
- Don't scoop too much potato out of the skin
- Brush both sides with garlic butter
- Bake the skins twice for maximum crispiness
These little steps make a big difference in how crispy your baked potato skins turn out.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover potato skins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven or air fryer until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave if possible- it softens the skins.
Have you tried this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on instagram @thrivingglutenfree so I can see how it turned out!
Let's eat!
Crispy Baked Potato Skins
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°. Wash, dry and poke the potatoes with a fork. Using your hands rub the potatoes with a little oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 50-60 minutes or until they are cooked through. Let them sit until cool enough to handle.
- Raise the oven temperature to 450°. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Using a spoon scoop out the the insides leaving ¼ inch around the inside of the skin.
- Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl. Whisk in garlic powder, paprika, salt & parmesan cheese. Brush over both the tops and bottoms of the potato skins.
- Using the same baking sheet that you cooked the potatoes on, place in oven for 10 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Top with shredded cheese and bacon. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove and top with green onions/chives and sour cream before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Jen Ferber says
Delicious! These came out wonderfully-flavorful and crispy! My husband even enjoyed one cold and they reheated well the next day. I followed the recipe as written, except I was out of Parmesan cheese so I substitute some ranch seasoning. I will make them again and try some other toppings besides bacon.
Thriving Gluten Free says
Ranch seasoning sounds delicious!