Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (2024)

The BEST Twice Baked Potato recipe! This recipe is loaded with creamy, cheesy, buttery flavor and makes the perfect side dish for any meal.

These twice baked potatoes are just as delicious served with prime rib during the holidays, skillet steaks for the weekend, and baked chicken breast any weeknight!

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • The BEST Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
  • How to Make Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Storage Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Favorite Potato Recipes
  • Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

The BEST Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

Do you love twice baked potatoes? This twice baked potatoes recipe makes the best, creamy, delicious, and restaurant-quality twice baked potatoes recipe I’ve ever tasted! I love that I can easily make them ahead of time to serve for a weeknight supper or a holiday meal and can even freeze them to bake and enjoy.

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (2)

How to Make Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

  • Potatoes – I recommend using Russet potatoes. They bake well for a fluffy, creamy interior and hold up well.
  • Butter – a definite favorite for rich and creamy results.
  • Cheese – I like to use cheddar cheese that is freshly shredded for better melting.
  • Sour cream – I also love to include sour cream for its creaminess and tangy flavor to the twice baked potatoes.

Optional Ingredients for Garnishes

  • Bacon – cooked and crumbled bacon is a delicious topping for these potatoes.
  • Fresh herbs or onions – I love to use chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or even sliced green onions to the top of my potatoes once baked and ready to serve.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (3)

Bake the potatoes. Follow my perfect baked potato recipe and tips for tender, fluffy, and delicious baked potatoes.

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (4)

Scoop out the interior of the potatoes. Split the potatoes in half with a sharp knife. Use a spoon and scoop inside of the potatoes, leaving about 1/4-inch around the edges of the potato to provide sturdiness to the potato. Place the scooped portion of the potatoes into a mixing bowl.

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (5)
Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (6)
Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (7)

Make the filling for the potatoes. Add the butter and sour cream to the scooped potatoes in the mixing bowl. Use a potato masher and mash the butter, sour cream, and potatoes until creamy. Stir in half of the cheese.

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Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (9)

Fill the potatoes with the filling. Spoon the potato mixture back into the potatoes. Top with the remaining cheese and the bacon crumbles, if using.

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (10)

Bake the potatoes. Place the potatoes into the oven and bake until the cheese has melted, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (11)

Storage Tips

To store. Leftover twice-baked potatoes keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container. Reheat them in a 350º F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until heated. You can also reheat them in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel.

To make ahead. Twice-baked potatoes make a wonderful make-ahead recipe. Prepare without baking them. Cover well with a tight-fitting lid or foil and refrigerate for 3 days. To serve, preheat the oven, remove the covering from the potatoes, and bake as directed. A few more minutes may be needed since baking refrigerated potatoes.

To freeze. Twice-baked potatoes freeze beautifully. Allow the filled potatoes to cool completely. Do not bake for the second baking time. Wrap the potatoes well with parchment paper topped with aluminum foil and store them in an airtight, freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. To serve, remove the wrapping from the potatoes and reheat them. You can bake them without thawing them for about 15 to 20 minutes in the oven or reheat them in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze twice baked potatoes?

Twice baked potatoes are freezer friendly and freeze beautifully. Since they are filled with butter and sour cream, they are creamy and freeze well. Make sure to follow the “to freeze” directions under Storage Tips.

How do you reheat twice baked potatoes?

Reheat the potatoes in a 350º F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until heated throughout. You can also reheat them in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel.

Do twice baked potatoes reheat well?

Yes! They reheat well from the refrigerator as well as from the freezer. See my Storage Tips for instructions.

More Favorite Potato Recipes

Baked Potato Recipe

Mashed Potatoes

Scalloped Potatoes

Potato Salad

Potato Skins

Here’s my Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe. I hope you love them!

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (12)

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Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 3 votes

The BEST Twice Baked Potato recipe! This recipe is loaded with creamy, cheesy, buttery flavor and makes the perfect side dish for any meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 4 medium potatoes, Russet or your favorite baking potato
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Optional Garnishes

  • bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • chives
  • Parsley
  • Green onions

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat oven to 400º F. Scrub potatoes under warm water. Place each potato onto a piece of aluminum foil large enough to wrap around the potato and secure at the top and ends.

  • Bake the potatoes. Brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap aluminum foil around the potato and secure. Place wrapped potatoes directly on rack of the oven with a rimmed cooking sheet placed on the rack underneath to catch any drippings that may occur. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour until tender when you squeeze with an oven mitt. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

  • Make the potato filling. Unwrap the potatoes, discarding the aluminum foil and cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop inside of potato, leaving 1/4 inch around the edge of the potato to allow the potato to hold shape. Add the butter and sour cream to the mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes, butter, and sour cream until creamy with a potato masher. Stir in half of the cheese.

  • Fill the potatoes. Spoon the filling into the scooped out potatoes andtop the potatoes with the remaining cheese. If you are using bacon, top with cooked bacon crumbles.

Notes

Storage Tips

To store. Leftover twice-baked potatoes keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container.

To make ahead. Twice-baked potatoes make a wonderful make-ahead recipe. Prepare the twice-baked potatoes without baking them. Cover well with a tight-fitting lid or foil and refrigerate for 3 days. To serve, preheat the oven, remove the covering from the potatoes, and bake as directed. A few more minutes may be needed since baking refrigerated potatoes.

To freeze. Twice-baked potatoes freeze beautifully. Allow the filled potatoes to cool completely. Do not bake for the second baking time. Wrap the potatoes well with parchment paper topped with aluminum foil and store them in an airtight, freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. To serve, remove the wrapping from the potatoes and reheat them. You can bake them without thawing them for about 15 minutes in the oven or reheat them in the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 492mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 6.2mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 1.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published December 1, 2010. Step-by-step photographs updated 2023.

Categorized as:All Recipes, By Cooking Style, By Special Diets, Christmas Recipes, Cooking, Dinner Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Essentials, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Freezer Meal Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Holiday and Occasion Recipes, Lunch, Make-ahead Recipes, New Year Recipes, Potatoes, Recipes, Side Dish Recipes, Simple Recipes, Southern Favorites, Thanksgiving Recipes

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

Read more about Robyn

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Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if a potato is baked enough? ›

Check for Doneness

Simply slide the tip of a knife or skewer into the thickest part of the potato. If it pierces the center easily and meets no resistance, your baked beauties are ready to serve. You can also use an instant-read thermometer; inserted into the center of the potato, the temperature should read 208-211˚F.

Why are my twice baked potatoes gummy? ›

Tip: Don't over mix the potato filling. Over-mixing causes mashed potatoes to become gluey instead of light and fluffy. To Make Ahead: Prepare potatoes completely, without baking them the second time. Place them on a large sheet pan, lightly cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to one day, until ready to bake.

Why are my twice baked potatoes falling apart? ›

Cook's Note. I learned the hard way not to wrap the potatoes in foil before baking. It softens the shells and they will fall apart not good!

How do you make sure potatoes are fully cooked? ›

The potatoes are done when tender.

The potatoes are done when they are tender all the way through. You can test this by poking the potato with a fork, paring knife, or skewer. If the utensil slides easily all the way to the center, the potatoes are done.

What happens if potatoes aren't cooked enough? ›

Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, two compounds that can cause gastric distress and potentially make you sick. Additionally, raw potatoes contain resistant starch, which is difficult to digest, and their overall taste and texture is nothing like the potatoes you know and love. When in doubt, cook that potato.

What is the best temperature to bake potatoes? ›

Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a fork to poke a few holes into the potatoes. Place on the baking sheet, rub with olive oil, and sprinkle liberally with sea salt all over. Bake 45 to 60 minutes, or until the potato is fork-tender and the skin is crisp.

What is the best temperature for baking potatoes? ›

We recommend 400° F. In previous studies with Kitchen Consultants, out of Los Angeles, we raised our baking time suggestions from 45 or 55 minutes to one full hour or when the internal temperature of the Idaho® baked potato reaches 210° F. Baking in foil is NOT recommended, as it steams the potato.

How long can twice baked potatoes sit out? ›

You want to be able to eat your potato without worrying if you are going to get food poisoning or botulism. Here's how you can ensure that your baked potatoes are safe to eat. DON'T let your potato sit out in the open at room temperature for over four hours regardless of whether or not it is wrapped in aluminum foil.

What is the difference between baked potato and twice baked potato? ›

What Is the Difference Between a Baked Potato and a Twice-Baked Potato? Baked potatoes are whole potatoes (usually russet or Idaho) baked until the insides are tender and fluffy. Twice-baked potatoes take two trips into the oven. First the potatoes are baked until soft and tender on the inside.

What goes good with twice baked potatoes? ›

Serve these up with brisket, tenderloin, or even a nice, juicy steak.

What is the best way to heat up twice baked potatoes? ›

Reheating them in the oven at 400° will re-crisp the potato skin while keeping the filling inside nice and creamy still. The potatoes will take about 15 to 20 minutes to reheat again. If you're in a rush, microwaving them is fine too, though parts of the potato might turn a little tough due to uneven heating.

Can you eat the skin of a twice baked potato? ›

Can you eat the skin of a twice baked potato? Yes, the skin of a twice baked potato is one of the most delicious parts! It's crispy, salty, and contains many health benefits.

Do you cover twice baked potatoes when reheating? ›

  1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Take the potatoes out of the freezer.
  3. Unwrap from foil and plastic wrap and place in an oven-safe baking dish.
  4. Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the oven.
  5. Reheat for 40‒50 minutes or until mostly warm.
  6. For cheesy potatoes, take them out of the oven at 40 minutes.
Feb 26, 2017

How do you keep twice baked potatoes warm for a potluck? ›

There are several ways to keep baked potatoes warm for a potluck:
  1. Slow cooker: After baking the potatoes, wrap them in foil and place them in a slow cooker on the "warm" setting. ...
  2. Insulated container: Wrap the baked potatoes in foil and place them in an insulated container, such as a cooler or insulated bag.
Jul 19, 2021

Can you overcook a potato bake? ›

Visual signs: The potato skin will start to wrinkle when over cooked. The potato, when wrapped in foil or placed on the bottom of a pan will have a dark brown spot on the bottom, a sure sign of over cooking. Foil traps the moisture in the potato causing the skin to be wet and the inside flavorless or gummy.

Do baked potatoes continue to cook while resting? ›

Don't exceed the recommended cooking time because potatoes will continue to cook after they're removed from the oven and the skin will get dry. "Another common mistake is letting the potato rest or cool before cutting. This is not meat and the potato doesn't get better with resting.

Is it better to overcook or undercook potatoes? ›

Tip #3: Don't Overcook or Undercook the Potatoes

If you overcook them they disintegrate and your potatoes will be soupy. The specific cooking time depends on the size of your potato: a perfectly cooked piece of potato should give no resistance when cut with a knife, but shouldn't crumble into a million pieces.

How do you know when baked potatoes are done in foil? ›

Generally, bake the foil-wrapped potatoes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit or 220 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 to 60 minutes. You can check for doneness after this time by using a knife or a fork to ensure they are soft and well-cooked.

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