Restaurant Style Potato Skins for Under $4

Potato skins are one of my all time favorite appetizers! I used to frequent a particular chain restaurant, as a special treat, just for their potato skins. Several years ago I noticed their potato skins changed drastically. Instead of fresh crispy potatoes and quality cheese, I noticed soggy potatoes and cheese that tasted more like oil! I craved fresh potato skins instead of ones that came pre-frozen from a box!

I decided to learn how to make them myself. It was a process of figuring out the best way to scoop out the potatoes, and a few potatoes simply did not make it. Luckily, after I got the hang of it, I was able to perfect the potato skin making process. I have never ordered potato skins from a restaurant since learning this recipe!

How to Make Restaurant Style Potato Skins

The first thing you want to do is soften the potatoes. I simply microwave the potatoes for 12 to 15 minutes on high (make sure you prick them first) until they are soft. Alternatively, you can bake or boil the potatoes in water if you prefer those methods.

Next, cut the potatoes in half, and let them cool for a few minutes. This would be a good time to start heating your oil to 375º F, and preheat your oven to 400º F.

Now it’s time to scoop the potatoes! Take a spoon and gently “cut” along the sides, leaving a little bit of potato “meat” so the skins have substance. Once the edges are defined, scoop out the insides quickly.

Don’t throw away the insides, reuse them! One of my favorite ways to use potato “guts” is by making garlic mashed potatoes. Simply heat up the potatoes, add butter, and garlic powder (or my Garlic Garlic seasoning), and you have a delicious side dish!

Once the potatoes are scooped you can fry them. Heat oil either in a frying pan, or a deep fryer to 375º F. Fry until potato skins are golden brown. If you don’t want to fry the potato skins in oil, you can brush them with oil and bake them until they are brown and crispy.

Lastly it’s time to “decorate” your potato skins. Add cheese, bacon, and green onions, and bake in oven at 400º until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown (usually 10 to 15 minutes).

You can garnish with sour cream and fresh chopped green onions if you would like!

Yum!

How I Made Restaurant Style Potato Skins for Under $4

Below is an ingredient guide explaining how I was able to get each ingredient for a low price. If you are on a mobile device the ingredient guide is an image, so feel free to save it as an image to your device. If you are on your computer, I made a printable version that you can save to your computer as a PDF or print to your printer.

Restaurant Style Potato Skins Printable Recipe PDF

If you have any questions about the recipe, the ingredients, or the technique feel free to ask! I believe everyone should have good, quality food at great prices!

What other ingredients would you put on potato skins?