Owl Creek Farm » Recipes » Side Dishes » Twice Baked Potatoes
an image of a plate of food with a twice baked potato, sliced chicken breast, and a salad by owlcreek.ca made in DALL-E

Twice Baked Potatoes

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Master the art of twice-baked potatoes with this easy recipe! Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, they're the perfect side dish for any occasion.
an image of a plate of food with a twice baked potato, sliced chicken breast, and a salad by owlcreek.ca made in DALL-E

Potatoes are one of those magical comfort foods—versatile, filling, and crowd-pleasing. Among the many ways to prepare them, the twice baked potato stands out as a delicious, hearty side dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of main courses. Bursting with bacon, cheese, and green onions, this recipe guarantees happy faces (and possibly second helpings!). If you’re looking for ways to cut back on calories, don’t worry; a few simple substitutions will keep the flavor intact while making the dish lighter. Read on for the recipe, and stick around for a few other side-dish ideas that deliver a similar level of cozy comfort.

Why Twice Baked?

In a nutshell, “twice baked” means we bake the potatoes not once, but twice (as the name implies!). The first bake is to soften the potatoes. Once they’re cooked and cooled slightly, you scoop out the insides, whip them together with delicious add-ins, and then fill the potato skins again. Finally, the potatoes go back in the oven for their second round of baking until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbling.

Reducing Calories Without Losing Flavor

  1. Use less baconThe smoky, savory taste of bacon is key in this recipe, but you don’t really need the amount given for a flavorful result. Cut it down to three or four slices, or choose turkey bacon for a leaner option.
  2. Opt for lower-fat dairyReduced-fat cheddar cheese and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) will still make your potato creamy, tangy, and cheesy, but with fewer calories. Mix in a small amount of sharp cheddar cheese for a potent flavor—sharp varieties tend to have a more intense taste, so you can use less overall.
  3. Add more veggiesIncrease your green onions, or toss in steamed broccoli or spinach to bulk up the potato mix without adding too many extra calories.

Similar Side Dishes You’ll Love

  1. Loaded Mashed CauliflowerGet a similar creamy texture to mashed potatoes but with fewer carbs. Add your favorite seasonings, a little cheese, and some bacon bits for that classic loaded potato flavor.
  2. Baked Sweet Potato WedgesIf you want something sweet, crispy, and nutritious, sweet potato wedges sprinkled with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika can be roasted until browned and soft on the inside.
  3. Creamy Potato CasseroleThink of it as a bigger, shareable version of the twice baked potato. Layer thinly sliced potatoes with cheese, cream, and seasonings, then top with bacon bits and green onions.
  4. Hasselback PotatoesSlice the potato thinly (but don’t cut all the way through!) and load the slices with cheese, butter, and bacon for a unique twist on a classic baked potato.

Twice baked potatoes are a fun, delicious spin on a simple spud, perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or even a cozy family dinner. Whether you’re looking for a fully loaded side or a more calorie-conscious version, small tweaks in the amount of bacon, cheese, and sour cream can lighten things up without compromising taste. Don’t hesitate to play around with different flavor combinations—like adding broccoli or using different cheeses—to keep your twice baked potatoes interesting. Enjoy!

an image of a plate of food with a twice baked potato, sliced chicken breast, and a salad by owlcreek.ca made in DALL-E

Twice Baked Potatoes

Amy @ owlcreek.ca
Master the art of twice-baked potatoes with this easy recipe! Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, they're the perfect side dish for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 460 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 russet potatoes large
  • ½ lb bacon
  • ½ cup milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 8 green onions chopped
  • ½ tsp pepper or to taste
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 cup Sour cream as desired for topping

Instructions
 

First Baked Potatoes

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Scrub potatoes clean, piece each in several places with a fork and wrap in aluminum foil.
  • Place foil wrapped potatoes directly on oven rack and bake until softened, about 60-90 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and cool on wire racks until they can be safely held.

Twice Baked Potatoes

  • While potatoes are cooling, fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and once cooled, crumble or chop into small pieces.
  • Line a baking sheet large enough to hold 8 half-potatoes, with aluminum foil.
  • Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh out, into a large bowl. Leave 1/4 inch of flesh on the skin, making a "bowl" for the filling.
  • Set potato halves on prepared baking sheet.
  • In the bowl with the potato flesh, add ½ cup milk, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, 1/2 the crumbled bacon, 1/2 the chopped green onions, ½ tsp pepper and ½ tsp salt and either use a hand mixer to combine it, or mash it all together with a utensil, to make the filling.
  • Spoon the filling into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
  • Bake at 350℉ for 20 minutes. Serve immediately with sour cream if desired.

Notes

Nutrition values do not include sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 6gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 294mgPotassium: 514mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 463IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 143mgIron: 1mg
Keyword bacon, baked, cheese, oven baked, potatoes

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Amy
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