Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe by Alton Brown with Crispy Tops

Elevate your comfort food game with twice baked potatoes, a culinary canvas waiting to be transformed.

These golden-brown delights pack a flavor punch that turns ordinary spuds into an extraordinary meal.

Crispy on the outside and velvety smooth within, these potatoes dance between rustic charm and gourmet elegance.

Unlocking their potential requires a dash of technique and a sprinkle of creativity.

Professional and amateur cooks alike can master this delectable dish with simple ingredients and a few clever tricks.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures that will make taste buds sing and dinner guests swoon.

Get ready to become the star of your next meal with this irresistible potato sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 408 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients to Make Alton Brown’s Twice Baked Potatoes

• Russet Potatoes: Choose large, uniform potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin for even baking.
• Olive Oil: Select cold-pressed extra virgin for light brushing and enhanced flavor.

• Sour Cream, Half-and-Half: Opt for full-fat versions to ensure rich, velvety texture.
• Parsley: Select fresh, vibrant green leaves with crisp stems for maximum flavor.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for balanced seasoning.

• Green Onions, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese: Select sharp cheddar with robust flavor, crispy bacon without excessive fat, and fresh green onions with bright white and green parts.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Choose aged cheddar for deeper, more complex taste profile.

Equipment for Twice Baked Potatoes

• Baking Sheet: Large, flat surface for roasting potatoes evenly.
• Fork: Used for piercing potato skins to release steam.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing potatoes lengthwise.
• Spoon: Perfect for scooping out potato flesh gently.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Crucial for blending potato mixture smoothly.
• Potato Masher: Helps create creamy, lump-free potato filling.
• Cheese Grater: Great for shredding fresh cheddar cheese.
• Cutting Board: Provides safe surface for chopping green onions and bacon.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate amounts of sour cream and half-and-half.
• Oven: Essential for baking potatoes at different temperatures.

Step-by-Step for Alton Brown’s Twice Baked Potatoes

Elevate Your Potato Game

• Prep and Preheat Potatoes

Kick off your culinary adventure by cranking the oven to 400°F. Scrub those spuds clean under running water, then pat them dry like a pro. Grab a baking sheet and give each potato some personal space. Take a fork and go wild, poking holes all over to let steam escape during cooking.

• Bake and Scoop

Slide the potatoes into the oven and let them roast for about an hour. They’re ready when they feel soft and surrender to a gentle squeeze. Once done, slice them open carefully and gently scoop out the fluffy interior, leaving a thin potato shell like a delicate boat.

• Mix and Mash

Transform the potato flesh into a creamy dream. Grab your masher and go to town, blending in sour cream and half-and-half until silky smooth. Toss in some chopped parsley and a pinch of salt for that flavor explosion.

• Load Up with Goodness

Time to get wild with mix-ins! Crumble crispy bacon, sprinkle green onions, and shower the mixture with sharp cheddar cheese. Fold everything together like you’re creating a potato masterpiece.

• Stuff and Bake Again

Lovingly spoon the creamy mixture back into the potato skins. Sprinkle extra cheese on top for that golden, melty finish. Drop the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the cheese turns gloriously bubbly and golden.

• Serve and Celebrate

Pull out your creation and let it rest for a few minutes. These twice-baked potatoes are ready to steal the show as a killer side dish or a satisfying meal on their own. Dig in and enjoy your potato perfection!

Tricks for Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes

Experiment with different cheese varieties like gouda, pepper jack, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles.

Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt and use turkey bacon for a lighter, more nutritious version of the dish.

Skip bacon and add roasted vegetables like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrition and texture.

Prepare stuffed potato skins up to 24 hours in advance, store covered in refrigerator, and bake just before serving for convenient meal planning.

Serving Suggestions for Alton Brown’s Potatoes

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives, parsley, or green onions on top to add a burst of color and fresh flavor that elevates the potato skins.
• Pair with Protein Companions: Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, or roasted salmon to create a hearty and satisfying meal that balances the rich, creamy potato skins.
• Create a Dipping Experience: Offer a side of cool ranch, sour cream, or homemade aioli for guests to customize their potato skins and add an extra layer of deliciousness.
• Make a Brunch Centerpiece: Transform these potato skins into a weekend brunch star by topping with a soft-poached egg and a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits for a decadent morning treat.

Storage Tips for Twice Baked Potatoes

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover stuffed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining their delicious flavor and creamy texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual potatoes in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and prevent soggy results when using a microwave.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual potato skins tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Complete steps 1-5 in advance, then cover and refrigerate potato skins filled with mixture for up to 24 hours before the final baking, making meal planning easier and more convenient.

Crispy Alton Brown Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s twice baked potatoes merge creamy potato interiors with crisp, golden exteriors for a classic comfort dish. Sharp cheddar, crumbled bacon, and green onions elevate these potatoes into a memorable side that delivers rich, satisfying flavors you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 russet potatoes (about 907 g/2 lbs)
• 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, grated
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup half-and-half, or whipping cream
• ¼ cup cooked bacon, chopped
• 2 tbsps green onions, diced
• 1 tsp garlic salt

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Cleanse potatoes under cool water, pat dry, and pierce with a fork. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring ample spacing.
2. Initial Roasting: Place potatoes in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 60-75 minutes until tender and easily pierced.
3. Potato Hollowing: Slice potatoes lengthwise and scoop out the interior, maintaining a thin shell. Transfer potato flesh to a mixing bowl and mash until smooth.
4. Flavor Infusion: Blend mashed potatoes with sour cream, half-and-half, parsley salt, green onions, crumbled bacon, and half the cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy, well-integrated filling.
5. Reassembly and Final Bake: Fill potato skins with the seasoned mixture, top with remaining cheddar cheese. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through and cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Notes

• Choose Potato Perfection: Select large, uniformly-sized russet potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin for consistent baking and better texture.
• Dry Thoroughly: Pat potatoes completely dry after washing to ensure crispy skin and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
• Fork Piercing Technique: Create multiple fork punctures around the potato to release steam and prevent potential potato explosions during baking.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Allow potatoes to rest 2-3 minutes after final baking to help cheese set and create a more appealing golden-brown topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 408
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 721 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg