The ultimate appetizer for potato lovers: Smoked Loaded Potato Skins. Easy to prepare and guaranteed to disappear quickly at your next gathering, these potato skins combine smoky flavor, melty cheese, and crisp bacon for a crowd-pleasing starter or snack.
Traeger Smoked Potato Skins
If you enjoy appetizers, you know how satisfying an appetizer spread can be. These smoked potato skins are simple, versatile, and perfect for cookouts, game days, or casual parties. They’re built on a base of well-rubbed russet potatoes smoked low and slow, then finished with cheese, bacon, and a dollop of sour cream.
This recipe is customizable: add more bacon, swap cheeses, or try smaller baby potatoes for bite-sized portions. The process is straightforward, and the result is rich, smoky, and undeniably shareable.
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Recipe Shopping List
Below is a quick list of the main ingredients you’ll need. Full measurements and step-by-step instructions appear in the recipe card further down.
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Cheddar cheese
- Thick-cut bacon
- Sour cream
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How To Make This Recipe
Here’s an overview of the process. The detailed steps and exact measurements are included below.
- Wash the potatoes – Use a scrub brush and remove any dirt, since you’ll be eating the skins.
- Oil and salt – Rub the potato surfaces with olive oil and a generous sprinkle of kosher salt to build flavor and texture.
- Smoke low and slow – Smoke the potatoes for about an hour or until fork-tender, while you prepare other components like bacon.
- Top and finish – Add cheese and bacon, raise the temperature slightly, and cook until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Finish with sour cream before serving.
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Serve This With
These potato skins pair well with a full backyard spread. Consider serving them alongside grilled sausages, pasta salad, a fresh green salad, or a light dessert and drinks for a balanced meal.
- Bacon-wrapped cheddar brats
- Tuna pasta salad
- Fresh Greek salad
- No-bake raspberry fluff pie
- Tropical mimosas
75 ESSENTIAL Traeger Recipes
Recipe FAQ
Yes. Baby potatoes work well for bite-sized bites, and red-skinned potatoes can be used if you prefer. The method is adaptable to different varieties and sizes.
If possible, only add sour cream to skins you plan to eat right away. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Microwaving works for a quick reheat, but warming them on a grill or in the oven helps restore crispiness and melt the cheese evenly.
Try Smoked Loaded Baked Potatoes!
More Potato Recipes
- Loaded baked potato salad
- Loaded oven potatoes
- Smoked mashed potatoes
- Blackstone smashed potatoes
- Simple pellet grill potatoes
- Traeger funeral potatoes
- Corn and potato chowder with wild rice
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Smoked Potato Skins
Large russet potatoes are rubbed with oil and kosher salt, smoked until tender, then topped with sharp cheddar and crispy bacon. Finish with sour cream for a classic loaded potato skin with a smoky twist.
20 minutes
2 hours
2 hours 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 russet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and diced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly with a scrub brush and dry them well.
- Preheat your pellet grill or smoker to 250°F.
- Slice each potato in half lengthwise. For very large potatoes, you can slice them into three pieces and reserve the middle for another use.
- Rub each cut surface and skin with olive oil and season with kosher salt.
- Place the potatoes cut-side up on the grill and smoke for about 1 hour, or until a fork slides in easily and the interior is tender.
- Increase the grill temperature to 325°F. Add a little extra salt to taste, then divide the shredded cheddar and diced bacon among the potato halves.
- Grill until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 5–10 minutes. Serve hot with dollops of sour cream.
Recommended Products
Recommended tools that make this recipe easier: a reliable pellet grill and a non-stick grill mat for quick cleanup.
- Blackstone Pellet Grill
- BBQ grill mat
- Blackstone Pellet Smoker
Nutrition Information
Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 313 Total Fat: 20g Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 48mg Sodium: 946mg Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g Sugar: 1g Protein: 14g
Nutrition data provided here is an estimate.
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