Melty Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Potato Skins are the ultimate comfort food mashup! Crispy potato shells are filled with juicy beef, crispy bacon, gooey cheddar, and classic burger toppings for a snack, appetizer, or fun dinner that hits all the right notes. They’re easy to make, totally customizable, and perfect for parties, game day, or a weekend indulgence.
Why You’ll Love These
- Crispy Meets Cheesy: The contrast of crunchy skins and melty cheese is unbeatable.
- Burger in Every Bite: All the classic bacon cheeseburger flavors — no bun required!
- Totally Customizable: Top with pickles, red onions, or spicy jalapeños.
- Perfect for Sharing: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for parties and events.
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (about 6–8 slices)
- 1/4 cup diced pickles (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced red onion (optional)
For the Burger Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Scrub the potatoes clean, dry them, and prick with a fork.
- Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake directly on the oven rack for 45–60 minutes until tender. Let cool slightly.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
- While the potatoes bake, cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.
- Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Potato Skins
- Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch of potato inside.
- Brush both sides with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place skin-side down on a baking sheet.
Step 4: Fill and Bake
- Fill each skin with cooked beef, top with shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon.
- Add optional toppings like pickles and red onion.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until cheese is bubbly and melted.
Step 5: Make the Sauce
- Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard in a small bowl for your burger-style dipping sauce.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Drizzle burger sauce over the potato skins or serve on the side.
- Garnish with parsley or green onions. Serve immediately!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve with cold drinks and a side of coleslaw
- Great for game day, movie nights, or potlucks
- Pair with a dipping tray of sauces like ranch, BBQ, or aioli
📦 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F until hot and crispy
- Freezer: Freeze fully baked skins for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen
🥔 Cheeseburger Potato Skins
Melty Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Potato Skins are the ultimate comfort food mashup!
Equipment
- Oven
- Skillet
- Baking sheet
- Knife and spoon
- Small bowl
- Brush (for olive oil)
- Fork
Ingredients
- For the Potato Skins:
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 lb 225g ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika optional
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon crumbled (6–8 slices)
- 1/4 cup diced pickles optional
- 1/4 cup diced red onion optional
- For the Burger Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or green onions chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Scrub and dry potatoes, then prick with a fork.
- Rub with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
- Bake directly on the oven rack for 45–60 minutes or until fork-tender. Let cool slightly.
- Step 2: Cook the Beef
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika (optional), salt, and pepper.
- Cook until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Step 3: Prepare the Potato Skins
- Cut each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch border.
- Brush inside and out with olive oil and season lightly.
- Place skin-side down on a baking sheet.
- Step 4: Fill and Bake
- Fill skins with ground beef. Top with cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and optional pickles or onion.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 5: Make the Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together mayo, ketchup, and mustard until smooth.
- Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Drizzle sauce over potato skins or serve on the side.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions and serve hot!
Notes
🔥 Tips for Success
Extra Crispy Skins: Broil for 1–2 minutes after baking for a golden finish.
Be Creative: Add jalapeños, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or even a fried egg!
Cool Before Handling: Let baked potatoes cool slightly before cutting to avoid burns.
Meat Options: Use ground turkey or plant-based ground meat as needed.
🔍 Nutrition (Per 2 skins – Estimate)
- Calories: ~370
- Protein: ~18g
- Carbohydrates: ~25g
- Fat: ~22g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sugar: ~3g
🔥 Tips for Success
- Extra Crispy Skins: Broil for 1–2 minutes after baking for a golden finish.
- Be Creative: Add jalapeños, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or even a fried egg!
- Cool Before Handling: Let baked potatoes cool slightly before cutting to avoid burns.
- Meat Options: Use ground turkey or plant-based ground meat as needed.
🔄 Variations
- Spicy: Add sriracha or hot sauce to the burger sauce
- Southwest: Add black beans, corn, and pepper jack cheese
- Veggie-Loaded: Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach
- Mini Version: Use small potatoes for bite-sized appetizers
🔍 Nutrition Information (Per serving, based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 470
- Protein: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fat: 30g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
❓ FAQs
Can I prep these ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the potatoes, scoop, and prep the beef in advance. Assemble and bake just before serving.
What can I do with the scooped-out potato?
Use it for mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, or freeze for later.
Are they gluten-free?
Yes, as long as all ingredient labels are checked (especially condiments and bacon).
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Cook assembled potato skins in the air fryer at 375°F for about 8–10 minutes.
✅ Final Thoughts
These Melty Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Potato Skins bring together everything you love about two classic comfort foods — and make them even better!
Crispy, savory, cheesy, and totally addictive, they’re the perfect appetizer, snack, or fun dinner option.
Serve with dipping sauce, cold drinks, and plenty of napkins — this one gets messy in the best way! 🥓🧀🍔🥔
