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If you’re craving a snack that’s crunchy, cheesy, and packed with savory bacon goodness, you’ve just hit the jackpot with the Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe. This dish transforms humble russet potatoes into crispy, irresistible bites that are bursting with flavor and perfect for gatherings, game days, or whenever you need a comforting treat. With the magic of the air fryer, you get perfectly crisp skins topped with melty cheddar and crispy bacon in a fraction of the time, making it a winner every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping things simple is part of what makes this Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe so delightful. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that will make every bite memorable.
- Russet potatoes: These sturdy potatoes offer the perfect balance of fluffy flesh and firm skin, ideal for scooping and crisping.
- Roasted garlic infused oil: Adds a subtle, aromatic garlic flavor while helping the skins achieve that beautiful golden crisp.
- Garlic pepper seasoning: A flavorful blend that brings a little kick and depth without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Shredded mild Cheddar cheese: Melts superbly, providing gooey, cheesy goodness that pairs wonderfully with bacon.
- Bacon slices: Cooked and crumbled for smoky, crunchy texture that elevates every bite.
- Green onions: Optional but highly recommended for a fresh, bright garnish that adds a pop of color.
- Sour cream: Optional, yet the cool creaminess perfectly balances the rich, crunchy potato skins.
How to Make Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Potatoes
Start by scrubbing those russet potatoes well. Then, pierce each potato several times with a fork—this lets steam escape during cooking and keeps them from bursting. Massage or brush on one tablespoon of roasted garlic infused oil, evenly coating each potato. Then, sprinkle with one teaspoon of garlic pepper seasoning to infuse flavor right into the skin as it crisps up. This foundation ensures the skins will finish with incredible taste and crispness.
Step 2: Air Fry the Potatoes
Arrange the potatoes in the basket of your air fryer or on the lowest rack without overcrowding them. No need to preheat—set the temperature to 400°F and air fry for about 40 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a fork slides into the potatoes easily, signaling tender insides with crispy exteriors. Let them cool slightly before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Scoop and Season the Skins
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice each in half and carefully scoop out the fluffy flesh, leaving a thin layer on the skins for structure and texture. Save the scooped-out potato for mashed potatoes or another delicious use. Now brush the inside of each skin with the remaining tablespoon of roasted garlic infused oil and sprinkle with the last half teaspoon of garlic pepper seasoning. This seasoning touch will heighten that irresistible crunch.
Step 4: Crisp the Potato Skins
Place the potato skins skin-side down in the air fryer basket or rack. Give them a quick air fry at 400°F for 3 to 4 minutes, just long enough to brown the insides and make them delightfully crispy. This step is crucial for the perfect contrast between luscious toppings and crunchy shells.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Bacon Toppings
Now the fun part: pile each skin with shredded cheddar cheese and crispy, crumbled bacon. Pop them back into the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts into bubbly, golden goodness. Your kitchen will start smelling absolutely amazing—almost as delicious as these treats taste!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish off these beauties with a sprinkle of sliced green onions and a dollop of sour cream if you like. Serve warm and watch your friends and family dive in eagerly. Each bite brings that perfect harmony of crisp, melty, smoky, and fresh flavors that make the Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe such a beloved crowd-pleaser.
How to Serve Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like sliced green onions add a burst of freshness and vibrant color that visually and flavor-wise complement the rich, savory skins. A dollop of sour cream provides creaminess and tang that contrasts beautifully with the crispy textures and salty bacon.
Side Dishes
Pair these potato skins with crisp garden salads, crunchy coleslaw, or even baked beans for a complete meal. They also work wonderfully alongside wings, burgers, or grilled meats when you want a snack that doubles as a hearty appetizer.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, arrange the potato skins on a large platter with bowls of sour cream, chopped herbs, and extra bacon bits for guests to customize. Alternatively, turn them into bite-sized appetizers by cutting the potato halves into smaller pieces before topping and melting the cheese and bacon.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep toppings and skins together for best flavor but reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these morsels, lay them out on a baking sheet individually and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 1 month without losing much of their deliciousness.
Reheating
The air fryer is your best friend when it comes to reheating. Set it to 350°F and warm potato skins for 5–7 minutes, which helps recover their crispness while melting the cheese slightly. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
FAQs
Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?
Russet potatoes are preferred because their thick skins and starchy insides hold up best to scooping and air frying. Yukon Golds might work but produce a softer skin, so results may vary.
Is it necessary to use roasted garlic infused oil?
While plain olive oil works in a pinch, the roasted garlic infused oil adds extra depth and delicious aroma that perfectly complements the garlic pepper seasoning and cheese, making your skins extra special.
Can I make these potato skins vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon or substitute with crispy sautéed mushrooms or vegetarian bacon bits for a similar smoky crunch without meat.
How do I make sure the potato skins get crispy and not soggy?
Removing the flesh thoroughly and brushing the insides with oil before crisping in the air fryer ensures a crunchy texture. Also, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even crisping.
Can I prepare the potato skins ahead of time before air frying toppings?
Yes, you can prepare and store the scooped and seasoned skins in the fridge for a few hours before finishing in the air fryer with cheese and bacon. Just bring them to room temperature before air frying for best results.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning simple potatoes into golden, crispy, cheesy bites with the Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe. They’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to enjoy them. So go ahead, grab your air fryer, and treat yourself to this cozy, crave-worthy delight—you won’t regret it!
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Air Fryer Potato Skins with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Potato Skins made with tender russet potatoes, seasoned with roasted garlic infused oil and garlic pepper seasoning, loaded with melted mild cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, and optionally garnished with green onions and sour cream for a perfect appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 8 small russet potatoes, scrubbed
- 2 tablespoons Roasted Garlic Infused Oil, divided
- 1½ teaspoons Garlic Pepper Seasoning, divided
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese
- ½ pound bacon slices, cooked and crumbled (about 1 cup)
- Sliced green onions, optional for garnish
- Sour cream, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Pierce each scrubbed potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking. Rub or brush the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of roasted garlic infused oil and sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon of garlic pepper seasoning for added flavor.
- Air Fry Potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket or on the lowest rack without preheating. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove and allow to cool sufficiently to handle.
- Scoop and Season: Cut each cooled potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh, reserving it for another use such as mashed potatoes. Brush the inside of each potato skin with the remaining 1 tablespoon of roasted garlic infused oil and sprinkle with the remaining ½ teaspoon of garlic pepper seasoning.
- Crisp the Skins: Place the potato skins skin-side down back into the air fryer basket or rack. Air fry at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until the insides are nicely browned and the skins become crisp.
- Add Toppings: Remove the crispy potato skins from the air fryer and evenly top each with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish the potato skins with sliced green onions and a dollop of sour cream. Serve warm as a delicious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Russet potatoes work best for crispy skins due to their starchy texture.
- Do not discard the scooped potato flesh; it can be used to make mashed potatoes or other dishes.
- Adjust garlic pepper seasoning according to your taste preference.
- You can substitute bacon with a vegetarian topping for a vegetarian version but note that the recipe is not marked vegetarian as is.
- Ensure potatoes are cooled enough before handling to avoid burns.
- Air fryer temperatures and timings may vary; check potatoes early to prevent overcooking.
