Ultimate Twice-Baked Potatoes Recipe
Twice-baked potatoes are a perfect combination of crispy skin and creamy filling. This recipe is simple yet delicious, making it a great side dish or a standalone entre for any occasion. Follow these easy steps for a savory, crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients:
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup sour cream
- cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- teaspoon salt
- teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 green onions, sliced, divided
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C).
Step 2: Wash the potatoes thoroughly, then bake them in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. The exact time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool until they are safe to handle.
Step 3: While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon. Place the slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the bacon is evenly browned and crispy. Once done, drain any excess fat, crumble the bacon, and set it aside.
Step 4: Slice the cooled potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh from the potato halves, leaving the skins intact. Place the potato flesh into a large mixing bowl.
Step 5: To the bowl with the potato flesh, add the sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, cup of the shredded Cheddar cheese, and half of the sliced green onions. Using a hand mixer or a masher, mix everything together until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Spoon the creamy potato mixture back into the empty potato skins. Be generous with the filling, but don't overstuff to avoid spilling.
Step 7: Top each filled potato with the remaining shredded Cheddar cheese, green onions, and crumbled bacon.
Step 8: Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9: Once out of the oven, let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your twice-baked potatoes hot!
Storage and Reheating:
- Store any leftover twice-baked potatoes in an airtight or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, place the potatoes in a preheated 350F (175C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or microwave them covered with a damp paper towel for 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 422
- Total Fat: 30g (38% Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 15g (74% Daily Value)
- Cholesterol: 63mg (21% Daily Value)
- Sodium: 537mg (23% Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrates: 29g (11% Daily Value)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (8% Daily Value)
- Total Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 11g (22% Daily Value)
- Vitamin C: 19mg (21% Daily Value)
- Calcium: 174mg (13% Daily Value)
- Iron: 1mg (5% Daily Value)
- Potassium: 650mg (14% Daily Value)
Tips from the Community:
- "I added a tablespoon of ranch seasoning powder to give it an extra kick," says one user.
- "I used heavy cream instead of milk, and it was delicious! A big hit with our guests," shares another.
- "This recipe is simple but so satisfying. Perfect for high altitudes as well!" adds a fan of the dish.

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FAQ about Ultimate Twice-Baked Potatoes Recipe
Comments
Stephanie Perez
04/25/2025 03:51:00 PM
Having read the reviews, I was eager to try making these potatoes and I was not disappointed! The twice baked potatoes were a hit even with the pickiest eaters, sour cream and all. I received compliments for days after serving them. They were simple and enjoyable to make - I prepped them the day before and just popped them in the oven for 35 minutes straight from the fridge (with extra cheese on top, of course) and they turned out perfectly! Following the suggestion of cooling the potatoes in the freezer after the initial baking made scooping them a breeze. Adding the sour cream gradually for the desired texture worked like a charm. I can't wait for the next gathering so I can make these amazing potatoes again!
Jose Martin
09/20/2024 05:59:50 AM
I've made these twice and they are always a hit! After reading other reviews, here are my suggestions: 1) I recommend using the largest potatoes available. The cooking temperature doesn't matter much, just ensure they are cooked until a knife can easily slide through them. It typically takes me about an hour and a half. I like to wrap mine in foil with a bit of butter and salt. 2) I enjoy mashing mine with about half a package of cream cheese. I have a fondness for cream cheese. :-) 3) I incorporate the bacon into the potato mixture instead of using it as a topping. 4) To easily fill the potato shells, I spoon the mixture into a large Ziploc bag, cut a corner off, and pipe it into the shells. It's a mess-free method! 5) If you're short on time, you can broil the potatoes until the tops start to brown. This is a quicker alternative to baking. 6) These potatoes freeze very well when wrapped in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.
Tyler Jones
10/07/2023 05:43:12 AM
I have been using this recipe for years but with a twist - I prefer to use mini red skinned potatoes. Here's my method: slice the mini potatoes in half lengthwise, coat them in olive oil, and bake at 425 degrees, cut side down, for around 25 minutes. After letting them cool for 10 minutes, I scoop out the flesh with a melon baller and proceed with the rest of the recipe. Mini potatoes are quicker to cook than larger ones (I usually use about 12 mini potatoes to match four large potatoes) and they make perfect bite-sized snacks. They're ideal for BBQs when you want finger foods that don't require a fork. I never have any leftovers, no matter how many I make!
Paul Rodriguez
05/23/2023 05:44:01 PM
Everyone had a great time at our Christmas dinner. For next time, I'd suggest reducing the amount of green onions in the stuffing mix and adding some finely chopped bacon. To achieve perfect potato "shells", bake the potatoes in the oven without wrapping them in foil. Let them cool for about 10 minutes, then slice them in half lengthwise as per the recipe. Using a knife, gently slice around the edge of the potato, leaving about 1/8 inch of flesh and skin to give the shell some weight. Next, slice the flesh almost to the bottom in quarters and use the knife to loosen the quarters from the shell. This method will leave you with a sturdy shell ready to be stuffed.
Elizabeth King
08/07/2022 02:48:43 AM
Outstanding, outstanding, outstanding! I have prepared these countless times throughout the years. After using what I need, I freeze the remaining portions in zip-lock bags for future use. It's incredibly convenient to have them readily available! My daughter practically survived on these during her college years! A single recommendation: reduce the amount of milk used to avoid them becoming too mushy.
Jessica Jackson
09/07/2023 09:06:30 AM
These are fantastic! They are one of those dishes that are worth the effort to make a large batch and freeze. They are perfect for an easy "freezer-to-oven" meal. Here's how to prepare them: 1. I usually triple the recipe, bake the potatoes, stuff them, but do not bake them a second time. 2. Place the stuffed potatoes in a single row on a baking sheet and freeze for an hour until they are solid. 3. This way, you can freeze them without them sticking together. 4. To cook, bake them frozen at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes. I'm expecting a baby in two months, and having plenty of these ready to cook in the freezer will make my life much easier!
Sharon Roberts
12/02/2024 10:16:19 PM
If you find the mixture too thin, I recommend waiting to add the milk until the end and only using enough for the desired consistency. I also prefer not to halve the potatoes. Instead, I use one potato per person, cutting off the top third and using only the bottom two-thirds. This way, the potato shell remains sturdy and the presentation is more appealing. Additionally, this approach allows for the use of smaller potatoes if desired.
Virginia Garcia
02/20/2025 02:49:25 AM
Absolutely worth it. By saving a few steps and mixing the crumbled bacon with the filling, I made the process more efficient. The time saved alone makes it completely worth it, but regardless, this recipe is definitely worth a try!
Ashley Johnson
08/31/2023 08:28:07 AM
I prepared 2 large russet potatoes by baking them at 410 degrees for 90 minutes. After mashing them, I added 4 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup of mayo, 1/4 cup of light cream, sharp cheddar cheese, freshly made bacon bits, salt, pepper, and chives. I sprinkled bacon bits and cheese on top before baking again, and sometimes I add sour cream before eating. This dish is fantastic for helping me gain weight and tastes delicious!
Kevin Thompson
09/08/2022 06:46:27 AM
I tried this recipe with the recommended ranch dressing, but I also added a teaspoon of garlic powder and a thin slice of mozzarella cheese. The garlic gave it a nice aroma and extra flavor, while the mozzarella slice helped keep the cooked potatoes intact. I've been making this dish for years and always like to experiment with new additions. My wife, who has been my taste tester for 36 years, said that my potato recipe keeps getting better. It's high praise coming from her! Give it a try and enjoy!
Joseph Thompson
05/19/2023 04:56:28 AM
This is the best meal I've ever had. Here's a helpful tip: Heat four large potatoes in the microwave for 6 minutes, then flip them and heat them for another 6 minutes. Avoid using milk; butter provides all the moisture you need.
Angela Jackson
08/04/2022 07:18:36 PM
Great experience! I substituted cream cheese for yogurt and Tillamook Italian cheese blend for cheddar in the recipe due to missing ingredients, and the result was fantastic!
Brian Carter
08/29/2024 09:24:56 AM
A superb recipe for this dish.
Carol Martin
02/28/2023 11:40:49 PM
I adored the recipe, it was incredibly flavorful. I suggest doubling the amount of salt used, as it was slightly under-seasoned the first time I prepared it.
Karen Perez
05/30/2024 04:02:11 AM
I include some small steamed broccoli in my dish.
Gary Rivera
05/23/2024 05:03:52 AM
I have prepared these potatoes for every significant meal, such as Thanksgiving, Easter, and more, and they have always been a huge success. I prefer using a hand potato masher to combine the filling, ensuring not to overmix it. The result is always flawless!
Samantha Wilson
12/30/2023 04:22:18 AM
Needs more seasoning. The potatoes were undercooked even though we baked them at 430°F.
Ashley Mitchell
03/26/2024 06:14:22 PM
I followed the recipe exactly, or at least I thought I did. Unfortunately, my decision to make the bacon extra crispy didn't work out well, as baking it for 15 minutes resulted in it being overcooked. Next time, and there will definitely be a next time, I'll make sure not to cook the bacon so thoroughly. Additionally, the potatoes I used were a bit small. It's best to go for larger potatoes, around 8 to 10 ounces would be ideal. Despite my mistake, the dish still tasted superb. Oh, and one more tip – grate your own cheese, it's worth the effort!
Robert Turner
03/31/2024 02:47:17 PM
These were delicious to eat and easy to prepare. I made them in advance and then baked them just before the grilled food was ready. We had a few leftovers that we enjoyed the following day.