Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Potato skins are a classic appetizer, but these aren’t your average potato skins. We’re taking them to the next level with a generous topping of hearty chili, melty cheese, and all your favorite fixings. These Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins are the perfect comfort food for game day, a casual dinner, or any time you’re craving something satisfying and delicious.

This recipe is easy to customize to your liking. Use your favorite chili recipe (homemade or store-bought!), choose your favorite cheese, and load them up with all your go-to toppings. Get ready to indulge in these irresistible potato skins!

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Ultimate Comfort Food:** Warm, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, these potato skins are the perfect way to satisfy your cravings.
* **Easy to Make:** With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is a breeze to put together.
* **Customizable:** Adapt the chili, cheese, and toppings to your personal preferences.
* **Perfect for Sharing:** These potato skins are ideal for parties, game day gatherings, or any social event.
* **Uses Leftover Chili:** Got leftover chili? This is a fantastic way to repurpose it into a new and exciting dish.

## Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins:

* **Potatoes:** Russet potatoes are the best choice for potato skins due to their size and sturdiness. You’ll need about 4 large potatoes.
* **Olive Oil:** For baking and crisping up the potato skins.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To season the potatoes.
* **Chili:** Use your favorite chili recipe, either homemade or store-bought. About 2-3 cups should be enough.
* **Cheese:** Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can use any cheese that melts well, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend.
* **Toppings:** Get creative with your toppings! Some popular options include:
* Sour cream or Greek yogurt
* Green onions, chopped
* Diced tomatoes
* Jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled)
* Avocado, diced
* Bacon bits
* Cilantro, chopped

## Equipment

You’ll need the following equipment for this recipe:

* Baking sheet
* Fork
* Knife
* Spoon or ice cream scoop
* Oven

## Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins:

**Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes**

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly. Pat them dry with paper towels. This is important to ensure crispy skins.
2. Use a fork to prick each potato several times. This allows steam to escape during baking and prevents them from exploding in the oven.
3. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Make sure to coat them evenly for optimal flavor and crispiness.
4. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. The baking time will depend on the size of your potatoes.

**Step 2: Scoop Out the Potato Flesh**

1. Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly. Handle them carefully as they will still be hot.
2. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthwise.
3. Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to carefully scoop out the potato flesh, leaving a ¼-inch border of potato around the edges. Be careful not to tear the skin. The goal is to create a sturdy “boat” for the chili and toppings.
4. Reserve the scooped-out potato flesh for another use, such as mashed potatoes, potato soup, or shepherd’s pie. Don’t throw it away!

**Step 3: Crisp the Potato Skins**

1. Brush the inside and outside of each potato skin with olive oil. This will help them crisp up in the oven.
2. Sprinkle the inside of each potato skin with salt and pepper.
3. Place the potato skins back on the baking sheet, skin-side down. This will help them get extra crispy.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the potato skins are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

**Step 4: Load with Chili and Cheese**

1. Remove the potato skins from the oven.
2. Fill each potato skin with a generous amount of chili. Don’t be shy!
3. Top with shredded cheese. Use as much or as little as you like.

**Step 5: Bake Until Cheese is Melted**

1. Return the loaded potato skins to the oven.
2. Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

**Step 6: Add Toppings and Serve**

1. Remove the potato skins from the oven.
2. Top with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, green onions, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado, bacon bits, and cilantro.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Make it Vegetarian:** Use a vegetarian chili or a chili made with plant-based protein.
* **Make it Vegan:** Use a vegan chili, vegan cheese, and vegan sour cream or yogurt.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the chili for extra heat.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, mozzarella, or provolone.
* **Add Meat:** Top the potato skins with cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or pulled pork in addition to the chili.
* **Grill the Potatoes:** Instead of baking the potatoes in the oven, you can grill them for a smoky flavor.
* **Air Fryer Potato Skins:** You can also cook the potato skins in an air fryer for a faster and crispier result. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
* **Make Ahead:** You can bake the potatoes and scoop out the flesh ahead of time. Store the potato skins in the refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to assemble, simply crisp the skins in the oven, load with chili and cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted.
* **Use Sweet Potatoes:** For a sweeter and healthier option, use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes.
* **Different Chili Variations:** Try a white chicken chili, a black bean chili, or even a Cincinnati chili.
* **Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins:** Skip the chili and load the potato skins with shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles, and ranch dressing.
* **Pizza Potato Skins:** Top the potato skins with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and your favorite pizza toppings.

## Serving Suggestions

These Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins are delicious on their own as an appetizer or snack. They can also be served as a side dish to accompany burgers, sandwiches, or salads. For a complete meal, serve them with a side of coleslaw or a green salad.

Here are some additional serving suggestions:

* **Game Day Platter:** Arrange the potato skins on a platter with other game day favorites, such as wings, nachos, and sliders.
* **Taco Bar:** Set up a taco bar with the potato skins as a base. Offer a variety of toppings, such as ground beef, shredded chicken, beans, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
* **Soup and Salad Combo:** Serve the potato skins with a bowl of your favorite soup and a side salad for a light and satisfying meal.

## Nutritional Information

The nutritional information for these Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins will vary depending on the ingredients you use. However, a single potato skin with chili, cheese, and toppings is typically high in calories, fat, and sodium. It is important to enjoy these potato skins in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

To reduce the calorie and fat content, you can use leaner chili, reduced-fat cheese, and lighter toppings, such as Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

## How to Store Leftovers

If you have any leftover Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they may not be as crispy.

## Conclusion

These Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With their crispy potato skins, hearty chili, melty cheese, and customizable toppings, they are the perfect comfort food for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple instructions, and get ready to enjoy the ultimate potato skin experience!

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to tailor it to your specific dietary needs and preferences. Whether you’re a meat lover, a vegetarian, or a vegan, you can easily adapt this recipe to create a delicious and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings to create your own signature version of these Super Loaded Chili Potato Skins.

Enjoy!