Imagine biting into a perfectly crispy potato shell, revealing a creamy, smoky interior that melts in your mouth and makes your taste buds dance with joy. These Smoked Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes are not just a side dish—they're a culinary experience that transforms the humble potato into a gourmet masterpiece. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a decadent comfort food, this recipe promises to elevate your cooking game and satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 cup smoked cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Wash russet potatoes thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
- Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Place potatoes directly on the middle oven rack and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until they are easily pierced with a fork and the skin is crispy.
- Remove potatoes from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, handling them carefully with oven mitts or a kitchen towel.
- Cut each potato lengthwise and carefully scoop out the interior, leaving a thin layer of potato attached to the skin to maintain the potato shell's structure.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the potato flesh with sour cream, half of the smoked cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins, mounding it slightly. Top each potato with the remaining smoked cheddar cheese.
- Return the stuffed potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped green onions if desired.
- Serve hot as a delicious side dish or light main course, enjoying the smoky, creamy flavors of the twice-baked potatoes.
Tips
- Choose the right potatoes: Large russet potatoes work best due to their starchy texture and thick skin.
- Don't skip the olive oil and salt rub: This creates a crispy, flavorful skin that adds texture to your dish.
- Allow potatoes to cool slightly before scooping to prevent burning your hands and make the scooping process easier.
- For extra smoothness, use a potato ricer or masher when preparing the potato filling.
- Experiment with cheese varieties, but smoked cheddar provides an unbeatable depth of flavor.
- Make sure to leave a thin layer of potato in the skin to maintain structural integrity.
- For a golden, crispy top, broil the potatoes for 2-3 minutes after the final bake.
- These potatoes can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, making them perfect for meal prep.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 55mg
