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How to Make Easy Twice-Baked Potatoes

Twice-baked potatoes are a family favorite! Savory baked potato shells are split and stuffed with fluffy loaded mashed potatoes, then baked again for double the deliciousness and a perfectly crispy crust. So many flavors and textures like bacon bits, melty cheese, and chives make this easy recipe a grill master’s best friend! 

twice baked potatoes on baking sheet

The number one thing when you are planning a cookout: the side dishes. You need something inexpensive, easy, but also not just something picked up from the store. It needs to be homemade and drool-worthy. Enter: Double Stuffed Potatoes.

Many people call them twice baked potatoes, loaded baked potatoes, double-baked potatoes…A twice-baked potato is, by any other name, a delicious side dish that’s simple and inexpensive to make!

It’s great for cookouts, large groups of people, or a weeknight side and practically a meal in itself! My favorite thing about this recipe is that it’s a no-stress side dish that can easily be made ahead of time, then served hot when the pork chops come off the grill.

baked twice baked potatoes

How to make twice baked potatoes

This recipe easy to make, but it does take a little preparation. The biggest difference between this recipe and most twice-baked potatoes is that these potatoes aren’t split completely in half, but the potatoes are kept whole. Just like a regular baked potato.

Ingredients for Stuffed Potatoes

  • Russet (baking) potatoes – Baking potatoes make the best double stuffed potato! 
  • Sour cream – Plain Greek yogurt could be used in place of sour cream.
  • Mayonnaise – Mayo gives it a tangy, fluffy, smooth texture.
  • Garlic powder – Fresh garlic cloves work, too.
  • Butter
  • Dried chives – For a hit of onion flavor and garnish.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese – A cheddar mix or taco mix also works here.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
ingredients for twice baked potatoes

Instructions for stuffed potatoes

Step 1: Bake the potatoes

Most twice baked potatoes do a simple microwave to get the inside cooked, but this recipe starts with my epic baked potato recipe, where the outside of the potato is coated in olive oil and salt and baked in the oven for about an hour for the ultimate crispy skin. If you love crispy textures, don’t skip this step!

potatoes on baking sheet

With the same amount of potatoes as guests, wash the potatoes and coat in kosher salt and olive oil. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet in a 400-degree oven for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a sharp knife or fork.

Step 2: Split and Mix the potatoes

When your potatoes are done baking, split them open to scoop out the insides.

Start with the tip of the knife about ½ inch from the end of the potato. Then, shimmy it down to the other end, leaving about a ½ inch again.

Tip: Use a set of tongs to hold the hot potato open by placing the tongs at either end of the split potato.

splitting potatoes open with knife

If you completely split the potato in half, no worries. All of the mixins will work as the “glue” to put it back together.

Scoop out the inside of the potato with a large spoon by sliding the spoon down into the potato – about ¼ inch away from the skin. 

Place the potato insides into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Then, add the mix-in ingredients and stir to combine.

Step 3: Stuff and bake

When the mashed potato mixture is complete, scoop a large spoonful of the mixture and place inside the potato cavity. Continue filling until the cavity is full.

stuffing potato shells

Then, continue with the other potatoes. There might be some mixture leftover, so feel free to load these taters up!

Top with more cheese, and bake until the cheese has melted. Garnish with chives and serve!

Variations and more add-ins

Load up the potatoes even more with these additions:

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Since everything inside the potato is already cooked, you do not have to worry about bacteria growth with raw products, so these can easily be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. 

To make this recipe ahead of time, bake the potatoes, restuff them, and then place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you are ready to serve, place them on a baking sheet or casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes using the instructions in the recipe card below.

Cooked (finished) stuffed potatoes can be stored as leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the potatoes on a baking sheet for 20 minutes or until warmed through.

How to Make Easy Twice-Baked Potatoes

Anna Kate
Stuffed twice-baked potatoes are a family favorite! Savory baked potato shells are split and stuffed with fluffy loaded mashed potatoes, then baked again for double the deliciousness and a perfectly crispy crust. So many flavors and textures like bacon bits, melty cheese, and chives make this easy recipe a grill master’s best friend!
5
Servings 8 potatoes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 russet potatoes (washed)
  • Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter (salted)
  • cup sour cream
  • cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chives
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Prepare baked potatoes with crispy crust by following this link, or place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the oil and bake for 1 hour, or until easily pierced with a fork.
  • Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.
  • With a sharp knife, cut each potato down the middle leaving the potato whole (just like a baked potato). 
  • Scoop out the insides into a medium-sized mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Leave the hollowed-out potato shells on a baking sheet.
  • To make the potato filling, mash the potato insides with the butter, mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, garlic powder, and chives to the mixing bowl. 
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Mix together well. 
  • With a large spoon, fill the potato shells with the filling. 
  • Top each potato with more cheese and bake until the potato is warmed through and the cheese is melted for about 15-20 minutes.

Notes

Variations and add-ins:
  • Bacon bits
  • Onion
  • Add leftover BBQ meats (pulled pork, brisket, etc.) for a full meal
  • Add veggies for extra nutrition and fiber.
  • Caramelized onions
Make-Ahead Tips: To make this recipe ahead of time, bake the potatoes, restuff them, and then place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you are ready to serve, place them on a baking sheet or casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes using the instructions in this recipe.
Storage Tips: Cooked (finished) stuffed potatoes can be stored as leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the potatoes on a baking sheet for 20 minutes or until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 8gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 917mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gCalcium: 139mgIron: 2mg

Looking for more potato recipes?

Twice Baked Potato FAQ 

How long do you heat up a twice-baked potato?

Reheat a twice-baked potato in an oven-safe dish at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.

What goes with twice-baked potatoes?

A twice-baked potato is a grill master’s friend and for good reason, too. Serve this alongside a steak, pork chop, pulled pork, brisket, or other protein for a simple but filling meal. These potatoes pair well with other side dishes, too.

Why are they called twice-baked potatoes?

Simply put: they are baked twice! The potato itself is baked until easily pierced with a fork. Then, the insides are scooped out, mixed with all of the fixings, put back into the potato cavity, and baked again until warmed through.

Why are my twice-baked potatoes gummy?

Overmixing can make potatoes gummy instead of creamy. Just mix until the ingredients are well-incorporated.

Recipe Rating




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