Loaded twice-baked potatoes are a great appetizer or even dinner. (Yes, we have made "stand-alone" twice-baked potatoes for dinner!!!) Usually, twice-baked potatoes are made with a "regular size" baking potato, but we decided, "Why not try the walnut-sized potatoes???". AKA, the perfect size for an appetizer.
After trying these twice-baked potato bites you'll never want those large potatoes again or, as far as that goes, a regular baked potato again! These bites are loaded with cheese, bacon, and Ranch seasoning. It's a super easy appetizer or side dish for dinner. So simple to make!!!!!!
Small Loaded Twice Baked Potato
Small potatoes cook faster than a large baking potato, so it's easy to make most of it ahead of time and just do some quick steps right before you're ready to eat. One quick trick: Make a large amount of potatoes, then when you want them during the week, it takes just a few minutes to make.
Next Game Day!!!
Yes, we're making these for our next game day. Now, for us, that could be every weekend since we love so many sports. We usually only do game day appetizers for Football and sometimes during Stanley Cup playoffs. The best part, as I mentioned, is that we can make them a day or two ahead and finish the final steps up a few minutes before the game.
Making Loaded Twice-Baked Potato Bites
The first steps are to wash the potatoes, dry them with a paper towel, toss them with some olive oil to coat them and sprinkle with chunky (or coarse, we call it chunky 😃) sea salt. Put them in the air fryer or oven. Bake until done, approximately 20 minutes in the air fryer and 30 minutes in the oven. The potatoes are done when a fork can be easily inserted.
For the bacon, place it in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 15 minutes or until done. To make the bacon in the oven, place the bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes (the foil is only there to help make cleaning up a breeze...What can I say, we're lazy.).
Cut the cooked bacon into small chunks. You can leave the bacon out if you want to trim some calories, but we highly recommend the little splurge because the loaded twice-baked potato bites are soooooo good with the bacon!
Tip for Making the Bacon
NOTE: The bacon turns out great both ways (oven or air fryer). I prefer making the bacon in the oven only because I can make more at once. The clean-up of the bacon in the oven is much easier as long as the foil is up along the sides of the cooking sheet. Just let the bacon grease cool and then wrap it up and toss the foil with the grease.
Let the potatoes cool for 15 minutes or so. You want the potatoes cool enough so you can hold the potato in your hands. Cut the potatoes in half. Take a spoon and scoop out the "meat" of the potatoes. Leave a small layer of the potatoes attached to the potato skin.
NOTE: When making the loaded twice-baked potato bites for a future time, place them in an air-tight container.
If making them now, place the potato skins back in the air fryer for 8 minutes until they are crispy or in the oven for about 10 minutes at 375 degrees.
Mix together the scooped-out potato, cheese, ranch seasoning, onion, milk, and salt. (the onion is optional). Using a hand mixer or a potato masher, mix all ingredients together. This takes about 3 to 5 minutes. NOTE: If making the Loaded Twice Baked Potato Bites for another time. Place the mixture in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator.
Final Steps for loaded twice baked potato
After the potato skins are crispy, using a spoon, fill the potato skins with the potato mixture. Place them in the air fryer for 5 minutes until the filling is heated and the cheese melts. Place 1 ounce of cheese on top of the potatoes and place back in the air fryer (or under the broiler) for about 2 minutes until the additional cheese is melted.
Top potatoes with the bacon bits and jalapenos, and ENJOY!!!! Serve the loaded twice-baked potatoes with ranch dressing or hot sauce.
Loaded Twice Baked Potato Bites
A Few Things We Use
Ingredients
- 12 Small Potatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Coarse Salt
- 1 ½ Ounces Cheddar Cheese Grated
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Ranch Seasoning
- 1 Medium Onion Chopped
- 1 Ounces Cheddar Cheese Grated
- 2 Slices Bacon or use Bacon Bits
Instructions
- Rinse off the potatoes and cut out any bad spots. Dry the potatoes with a paper towel.12 Small Potatoes
- Toss the potatoes with olive oil. Then toss in the coarse salt and coat the potatoes with the salt.1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon Coarse Salt
- If Air Frying: Place the potatoes on the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are done. If Baking: Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Put in a preheated 375 degrees oven for 35 to 40 minutes until the potatoes are done.12 Small Potatoes, 1 Tablespoon Coarse Salt, 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- You can tell that the potatoes are fully cooked when a fork can be easily inserted into them.12 Small Potatoes
- Allow the potatoes to cool for approximately 15 minutes. In the meantime, if you plan to prepare bacon, cook it while the potatoes cool. (If cooking bacon is not your preference, you can opt for pre-packaged bacon bits or simply exclude bacon from the recipe.)12 Small Potatoes, 2 Slices Bacon or use Bacon Bits
- After the potatoes cool, cut them in half.12 Small Potatoes
- With a spoon, scoop out the potatoes inside and place them in a mixing bowl. Be sure to leave a small border of potato in the skin.12 Small Potatoes
- If Air frying: Place the potato skins on the air fryer basket. Air Fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees. Until the potato skins are crispy.If using the Oven: Place the potato skins on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in a 400-degree oven until the potato skins are crispy.12 Small Potatoes
- Using a hand mixer, combine the scooped-out potato, cheese, milk, salt, and ranch seasoning. Once mixed, add in the chopped onion, if desired.12 Small Potatoes, 1 ½ Ounces Cheddar Cheese, 1 Tablespoon Ranch Seasoning, 1 Medium Onion, ½ teaspoon Salt, 2 Tablespoons Milk
- When the potato skins are crispy, fill them with the potato mixture.12 Small Potatoes
- Place the potatoes back into the air fryer or oven. Air fry for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.Bake in the oven for 8 minutes at 400 degrees.12 Small Potatoes
- Sprinkle the additional cheese on the potatoes and place back in the air fryer or oven for 2 minutes until the cheese melts. They can be placed under the broiler, but make sure to keep an eye on them so they don't burn.1 Ounces Cheddar Cheese
- Top with Bacon, Jalapeno, and/or green onion (All are optional)2 Slices Bacon or use Bacon Bits
- Enjoy!!!!
Amber Parker says
Hi
i'm also grateful, i found this Smoothie https://a2f1ffik-br0flaio83fr-k8vd.hop.clickbank.net it help me a lot to lose weight
hope this method to help others too