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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Potato Preparation: Cleanse potatoes under cool water, pat dry, and pierce with a fork. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring ample spacing.
- Initial Roasting: Place potatoes in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 60-75 minutes until tender and easily pierced.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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