How to Make Smashed Potato Skins

These potato skins are baked not fried but you'd never know it to taste them. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, the cheese and bacon give them just the right flavor.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2.5 lbs small white potatoes
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 3 tbs bacon crumbles
• Sour cream (optional)

1. 
    

   Wash the potatoes.
   
   I had 10 potatoes in 2.5 pounds.

2. 
    

   Boil the potatoes until they're cooked all the way through.
   
   Approx 20 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.

3. 
    

   Use a potato masher (or the bottom of a cup) to flatten each potato.
   
   Do this on the baking pan you'll be using as the potatoes are difficult to move once smashed.

4. 
    

   Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5. 
    

   Brush smashed potatoes with olive oil.

6. 
    

   Cook at 400 degrees until golden brown.
   
   Approx 45 minutes.

7. 
    

   After your potatoes are nice and golden sprinkle each one with a pinch of cheddar cheese.

8. 
    

   Top the cheddar with a pinch of bacon crumbles and return to the oven for about three minutes (just to melt the cheese).

9. 
    

   Your potatoes are done! Serve with sour cream (optional).

Tips & Warnings

• This is a great side dish for steak or hamburgers.
• Don't overcook the potatoes in the oven. Take them out to add cheese as soon as they start to get golden brown. Excessive time in the oven will make them dry and difficult to chew.

[Biscuit4u]

on 1/3/2009 Sounds great. I'll have to try this. Thanks

[Thims]

on 12/13/2008 So, this is like the best of both world's potato! What a novel idea. Good recipe.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 10/30/2008 except for the bacon, just a personal preference, I like the idea of this recipe. Good way to make use of the part of the potato that many times we neglect to eat.