Best Game Day Twice Baked Potatoes Recipes

GAME-DAY TWICE BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Bake potatoes, 400 degree oven 50 minutes- 1 hour.
• While they are baking make Ranch dip according to packet and put in fridge.
• Let potatoes cool to where you can handle them and cut in half.
• Scoop out middle of potatoes (I used a melon baller) and put in a bowl. Place hollow skins back on baking sheet to be filled.
• Take about 1/4 cup of the ranch dip ( more to taste but save some for dunking!) and mix into potatoes.
• Also add half of the bacon crumbles, a handful of cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Should resemble loaded mashed potatoes right now.
• Use Icecream scoop to load potato mixture back in to the skins.
• Top with remaining green onions, bacon and top with the cheese.
• Place back in the oven about 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Serve with the remaining Ranch dip.

MAKE-AHEAD TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Wash potatoes and pat dry.
• Place potatoes, not touching, on a large baking sheet.
• You may need two baking sheets.
• Spray potatoes generously with non-stick cooking spray.
• Sprinkle outside of potatoes with a little salt.
• Bake 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until potatoes "give" when gently squeezed, indicating they are done.
• In large mixing bowl, add butter, cream cheese, salt and pepper and mix well.
• With a serrated knife, cut baked potatoes in half lengthwise, being careful to leave skins unbroken.
• With large spoon, scoop out the inside of potatoes, leaving a thin layer of potato attached to the inside of the skin.
• Place potato skin shells, skin side down, on the baking sheet used to bake the potatoes.
• Put scooped out potato in mixing bowl as you remove it and mix to combine with butter mixture, adding skim milk as needed to make potatoes the consistency of slightly stiff mashed potatoes.
• You may need a little more or less milk to get the final desired consistency.
• Using the palm of your hand to support the potato shell while filling, spoon and press potato mixture into each half potato shell.
• Return filled shell to baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with shredded cheese and pat cheese to make it adhere to the potatoes.
• TO SERVE IMMEDIATELY: Return baking pan of potatoes to oven and bake about 15-25 minutes until potatoes are hot and cheese is melted.
• TO FREEZE FOR LATER USE: Cover potatoes with plastic wrap and place baking sheet in freezer, leaving several hours until potatoes are completely frozen.
• Remove potatoes from freezer and wrap each potato in a resealable plastic sandwich bag.
• Place wrapped potatoes into one or more gallon resealable freezer bags.
• Store in freezer for up to 3 months.
• TO COOK FROZEN POTATOES: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place potatoes on baking sheet and loosely cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake about 45 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or more until potatoes are hot.
• Do not over bake.
• This method keeps the potato skins firm and crisp.
• If time is short, place potatoes in microwave and cook on high about 10 minutes.
• Remove and then place in 350°F oven to finish cooking.
• IN A BIG HURRY: These potatoes can be completely heated from frozen state in the microwave, heating them just until they are hot.
• Potato skins will be softer than if cooked in the oven.
• OR, they can be defrosted in the microwave and reheated, uncovered, in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot.

TWICE BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Gently scrub potatoes, but do not peel. Pierce potatoes several times with a fork to allow steam to escape while potatoes bake.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced in center with a fork.
• When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut lengthwise in half; scoop out inside, leaving a thin shell. In medium bowl, mash potatoes with potato masher or electric mixer on low speed until no lumps remain. Add milk in small amounts, beating after each addition with potato masher or electric mixer on low speed (amount of milk needed to make potatoes smooth and fluffy depends on kind of potatoes used).
• Add butter, salt and pepper; beat vigorously until potatoes are light and fluffy. Stir in cheese and chives. Fill potato shells with mashed potato mixture. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Bake about 20 minutes or until hot.

ULTIMATE TWICE BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
• When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
• Bake for another 15 minutes.

EASY TWICE BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Bake potatoes in a 375 degree oven 1 to 1 1/2 hours until done.
• When potatoes are done let them cool 10-15 minutes.
• Then slice them in half lengthwise.
• Using a spoon carefully scoop out the potato, leaving a little on skin so they don't break. Save the skins.
• In a large bowl mix all the ingredients except 1/4 cup cheese, green onion and paprika with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. If not creamy enough add a bit more milk.
• Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Spoon potato mixture evenly into shells.
• Top with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese and green onions.
• Sprinkle lightly with paprika.
• Return to oven until hot and cheese is melted, about 15-20 minutes.
• Or you can wrap in saran wrap and put in a freezer ziplock bag and freeze for use at another time.