This recipe is sponsored by ALDI.
A Potato Skin Bar is the perfect game day recipe that allows everyone to customize their plates with lots of delicious topping options. Find out the potential health benefits of eating the skins of potatoes and how to make this delicious recipe for your next event.
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Can You Eat Potato Skins?
Absolutely you can eat the skin of a potato! Potatoes are one of the most commonly consumed vegetables and eating the potato skins provide more fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals than eating just the flesh of the potato alone. I personally love white potatoes. It pains me that so many avoid this root vegetable due to not great reasons because they have great nutritional value including, but not limited to, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and even a little protein. Plus the taste of potato skin with all the delicious toppings is perfection.
Offering a potato skin bar at football watch parties is a really fun way to offer a plant forward appetizer and allows people to gussy them up exactly how they want. I also love that you can make them a day ahead of time and heat them up quickly at game time.
Benefits of Eating Potato Skins
There are nutritional benefits found in the skin of the potato. First, the outer skin does not contain cholesterol or a significant amount of fat. It is a great source of potassium (about 332 milligrams in one potato skin). Potato skins are also good sources of Vitamin B which help supply your body with the energy it needs to function well. Additionally, one potato skin contains about 27 mg of Vitamin C. For those looking to increase their fiber intake, the dietary fiber content of a potato skin is about 5 grams of fiber.
There are numerous varieties of potatoes. The skin of a sweet potato is a very thick skin, but red potatoes have a thin skin and are therefore the most common to eat with the peel. Some consume potato skins in certain varieties of french fries, hash browns, or when consuming an entire baked potato. You can also eat sweet potato skins.
Tips for Success
Here's a few things I've learned along the way that I think make these potato skins fantastic.
- Use gold/yellow potatoes: I personally prefer the taste and texture of yellow potatoes to Russet/Idaho because they are creamier and more moist. I think this helps you need a little less topping than if you used a more dry russet potato, but it's totally personal preference. Use whatever kind of non-sweet potato you like.
- Use smaller potatoes: We have found that a couple small potato skins is perfectly satisfying, but one huge one is too much. Ideally, I like ones that fit within in my ladies-size palm (see pic below), about 3" in length. Buying potatoes in a bag seems to the best way to get this size range.
- Broil the potatoes after scooping and before topping: Adding this quick broil before adding any toppings helps crisps up the edges of the potato and makes them a little more extra.
- Thin sour cream slightly: Whisk 1-2 tablespoons of water into the sour cream and it will drizzle on beautifully onto your finished potato skins. I keep a culinary squeeze bottle around to create pretty squiggles, but at the very least, it will come off the serving spoon a lot easier and more evenly.
- Look for green spots: To prevent green potatoes, store potatoes in a dry, dark place. The green color or greenish tint means the potato will likely taste bitter and can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
Topping Suggestions
There is no limit to what you can serve with your potato skin appetizer so dream big friends! I start with a basic recipe of cheese, bacon and green onions, but even that is negotiable. Here's some in, and out, of the box ideas to serve:
- Different types of cheese like monterey jack or gouda
- Avocado slices
- Guacamole
- Sliced olives
- Cilantro
- Chicken salad
- Refried beans
- Chili
- Sauteed onions and peppers
- Roasted garlic
- Hummus
- Vegan cheese
- Salsas of all types
- Finely chopped Caesar salad
- Cooked, ground sausage
This recipe for a Potato Skins Bar is pretty basic, using easy to find and prep items found at your local grocery store. I find everything I need for a great price at ALDI.
Recipe
Potato Skins Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
Description
Amazing homemade potato skins are simple to make and customize with a "bar" of toppings. This basic recipe starts with cheese, bacon and green onions, but don't limit to just that.
Ingredients
- 10 whole Yellow potatoes ((from a 5 lb bag))
- 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Ground pepper
- 8 ounce Block sharp cheddar cheese, (grated)
- 4-6 slices Uncooked bacon ((more if desired))
- 1 cup Diced green onions ((from about 4 green onions))
- ½ cup Sour Cream, (for serving)
Instructions
- Arrange two oven racks toward the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Wash and dry potatoes, then prick each 4 times with the prongs of a fork. Lay potatoes on prepared rimmed baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until mostly tender when pricked with a fork.
- While the potatoes are baking, cook bacon. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and lay bacon strips on top. Slide onto the the other oven rack and cook for about 18-20 minutes, until crispy, with the potatoes. Using tongs, immediately remove bacon from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain and cool. Then chop into bite size pieces.
- Preheat oven broiler and arrange rack about 7" from the top (not on the closest option).
- When the potatoes are cool enough to touch, gently slice them in half long-ways. Use a spoon to gently scoop out the potato flesh, leaving about ½" border of potato in each, or more or less to your preference. (Save scooped out potato for mashed potatoes for another meal.)
- Line the scooped potato skins back on to the baking sheet. Drizzle them evenly with the olive oil (or brush it on) and sprinkle a small amount of salt and pepper on each. Broil for 2-4 minutes, until edges of potato are golden color and crispy.
- Remove from oven and fill each potato skin with a big pinch of shredded cheese. Then top with a pinch of chopped bacon. Return pan to the oven and broil for another 2-4 minutes, until cheese is melted smooth or bubbly.
- When potatoes are slightly cooled, top with sour cream and chopped green onions. Serve with other toppings (mentioned above in post) if desired.
Notes
- Recipe can be prepared through step 5 (after scooping out skins) 1 day in advance.
- This recipe can be made vegan by using a vegan cheese and sour cream alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
More Game Day Recipes
I hope this Potato Skins Bar recipe becomes your new favorite potato dish. Try these other delicious dishes the next time you watch the big game:
