Make-Ahead Twice Baked Potatoes

4.25 from 16 votes

How to make the best twice baked potatoes with cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives! The recipe also includes instructions for make-ahead twice baked potatoes.

Prep Time35

Cook Time1 25

Total Time2

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: make ahead twice baked potatoes

Servings:

Calories: 330kcal

Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

6 medium-sized Russet potatoes (about 3 lbs), rinsed and scrubbed
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, separated
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ cup freshly grated Cheddar cheese
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
Sour cream and chopped chives for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° and have ready a rimmed baking sheet.
Drizzle oil over potatoes, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt and rub in evenly on all sides. Place on a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet, spacing evenly apart. Bake for 1 hour.
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, use a sharp, serrated knife to cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Take care not to break the skin and leave about a rim of flesh around the potato.
Transfer the flesh of the potatoes to a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, butter, milk, remaining 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, and pepper. Using a handheld mixer on low, mix together until just combined. Do not overmix. Add about two-thirds of the bacon and half of the cheddar to the potato mixture. Stir to combine.
Scoop the filling back into the potatoes and place on baking sheet, leaving at least one inch between each potato. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours in advance. Be sure to refrigerate the extra Cheddar and bacon as well.
The next day, preheat the oven to 350°, and set the potatoes out 30-45 minutes before cooking to remove the chill.
Remove the plastic wrap and top potatoes with remaining cheese and sprinkle with bacon. Bake for 25-30 minutes. If desired, top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives, serve and enjoy.

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