Easy Comfort Food

This twice baked potato recipe is a favorite side dish at our house. That’s probably because it has the perfect blend of cheese, sour cream, and onions baked right into it.

The first time you bake them is to soften them up so you can mix in all the other yummy stuff, like the cheese, sour cream, and whatever else you want to add. The second time is to bake all of the goodness together so that the flavors blend.

Serve them with these baked beef ribs, and everyone at the table will be so happy! They’re also great with this pecan crusted fish! Or serve them at a baked potato bar!

What You Need to for This Twice Baked Potato Recipe

You only need a few ingredients to make these mounds of deliciousness.

In addition to the potatoes (preferably russet potatoes), here’s what you’ll need:

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Onions

I sometimes add bacon bits, but this time I didn’t. I like cheddar cheese, but sometimes I use Colby or Monterey Jack. It’s all good. Add salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Any kind of large potato is good for baking, but I usually have plenty of russet potatoes in my pantry. Although you can use any type of onion, I used green onions for these.

I sprinkled a tiny bit of seasoned salt into the mixture, but it really wasn’t necessary. There’s enough saltiness in the cheese and tangy taste in the sour cream. You can add pepper, but again, these potatoes don’t need the extra flavor.

Here are some other ingredients you can add if you like:

• Cream cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Chives

Experiment with flavors you like. If you’re not sure about anything you’d like to add, try it on a small amount of potato.

How to Make Twice Baked Potatoes

Poke some holes in the potatoes and bake them in the microwave until they are tender.

Mix the sour cream, shredded cheese, onions, bacon (optional) and any other seasoning you want to add.

After the potatoes are done, cut them in half lengthwise.

Next, scoop out the center of the potato and put it in a bowl. Make sure you leave at least 1/4 inch of potato next to the skin, or they’ll cave in or fall apart.

Super thin potato skins are difficult to stuff. That little extra potato stuck to the skin adds stability to the shell.

Using a fork, mash the potato. If you want it extra fluffy or creamy, you can use a mixer and add a couple of tablespoons of milk. I like texture and firmness in my potatoes, so I don’t use a mixer.

Add all of the ingredients to the mashed potatoes and stir well.

Scoop the potato mixture evenly into the potato skins. Add more shredded cheese on top and sprinkle some chopped onion tips on them.

This is more for garnish than anything, although it does add even more onion flavor. You can also add paprika if you want the red color on top.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes, until the cheese melts and begins to turn a light brown color.

Air Fryer Version

If you have an air fryer, you can do the final step in the air fryer. It’s super easy, but you’ll need to pay close attention to them so they don’t burn.

Turn your air fryer to 350 and check on them after 10 minutes. If they’re not the way you want them, keep putting them back in 3-5 minute increments. After you do this a time or two, you’ll know how long to finish them off in the air fryer.

What to Serve with Twice Baked Potatoes

These potatoes go with almost any meal. If you have steak, it’s even better than a plain baked potato.

Or you can skip the meat and serve it with some steamed vegetables or this cucumber tomato corn salad.

Potatoes – Ultimate Comfort Food

Potatoes are a comfort food for many people, including me. I love them in all forms, including these twice-baked potatoes, French fries, potatoes au gratin, and any other way you want to serve them to me.

I even love tater tots, which is why I love this hamburger tater tot casserole and this breakfast tater tot casserole.

My friend Julie makes these easy crockpot mashed potatoes that are super yummy.

While we’re on the subject of potatoes, if you haven’t tried these creamy buttermilk garlic mashed potatoes, you’re really missing out. Give them a try. I bet you’ll love them!

I’ve even been known to have a leftover twice-baked potato alone for lunch the next day. Since it’s filling and satisfying, I don’t get the urge to snack before dinner.

Another dish we enjoy is these honey mustard roasted potatoes. Not only are they are packed with flavor, but they’re also easy to make.

Personalize Your Recipe

I’m a big believer in tampering with recipes to make them more suited for my personal taste. For that reason, I encourage you to add other items you like.

Some other things that are good in these potatoes are mushrooms, olives, capers, and pimentos. If you think you might like something, try adding it to a small section of your potato. That way, you won’t waste a whole potato if it’s not as good as you think it will be.

Versatile Side Dish

There’s a reason that potatoes are so popular. They’re a great side dish for so many different types of food. Plus they work well in a wide variety of casseroles.

See this recipe shared at Weekend Potluck, Meal Plan Monday, and Full Plate Thursday.

Please feel free to share!