Twice Baked Potatoes (2024)

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Prep 15 min
Total 1 hr 50 min
Servings 8

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No need to wait for a fancy steakhouse dinner to enjoy cheesy, gooey, golden brown Twice Baked Potatoes–not when you can whip up this classic side dish in the comfort of your own kitchen! It’s easier than you think to tackle this creamy, craveable dish, so you can make any meal feel extra special.

Part comfort food classic, part restaurant menu staple, Twice Baked Potatoes bring on the feelings of warmth and nostalgia with every fluffy, cheesy bite. They’re a timeless favorite side dish that pairs well with almost any main dish from a hearty grilled steak to roasted chicken, juicy pork chops to delicate fish. They can even be enjoyed as a stand-alone entree, alongside a bright salad for a complete meal.
From the moment they emerge from the oven, golden and crispy on the outside, these scrumptious spuds will have mouths watering. Their savory, velvety mashed potato filling is always indulgent, and the perfect backdrop for any ingredients you’d like to add.
What’s most fun about making your own Twice Baked Potatoes is customizing the recipe to suit your tastes. While this simple recipe features plenty of rich cheddar cheese and fresh chives for a classic flavor, it’s versatile enough for you to add your own creative culinary spin. Change up the type of cheese for a whole new flavor, or add chopped bacon and broccoli for a little “loaded baked potato” flair. Try it with tangy barbecue chicken and Monterey Jack cheese, or with mushrooms, fresh herbs and Gruyère for an elevated take. You can use whatever ingredients your family loves, or whatever you might have on hand.
Give this simple recipe a go the next time you’re craving creamy, comforting Twice Baked Potatoes. Once assembled, the finished potatoes are super easy to make ahead and store in the fridge or freezer so you can enjoy this amazing side almost any time!
And if you want to create even more of a steakhouse feel at your own table, give these Grilled Beef Steaks a try. Don’t forget to add more of our savory side dishes to round out the meal!

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated May 23, 2024

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What Goes Well in a Twice Baked Potato?

With hearty, velvety potatoes as your base, adding a few additional ingredients takes your Twice Baked Potatoes over the top.
Dairy: You’ll need a creamy element to give your Twice Baked Potatoes their signature luscious texture and velvety mouthfeel. Butter, sour cream, and milk are the most common choices for your mashed potato filling, as they give that delicious, decadent richness the dish is known for.
Cheese: Say cheese! Adding depth of flavor and gooey indulgence to the filling, cheese is a must-have ingredient for any twice baked potato. Any melting cheese will do, but we recommend cheddar or mozzarella for can’t miss results. But try experimenting with pimento cheese or Gouda for something that feels extra indulgent.
Meat: Adding meat is a great way to take your Twice Baked Potatoes from side to main dish status. Topping with chicken or bacon can make this side dish much heartier. Love bacon? Try Our Cheddar Bacon Twice Baked Potatoes.
Herbs: Bringing a pop of color and burst of freshness to a very rich dish, herbs are always a welcome addition. Onion, garlic, chives, oregano and thyme are all great options.
Other fun twists can include seasoned salts, roasted garlic, or whatever your heart desires.

What Type of Potato Should I Use for Twice Baked Potatoes?

The type of potato you choose may be the most important factor in getting the perfect, velvety texture you crave in a twice baked potato. Russet or Idaho potatoes are ideal for this Twice Baked Potatoes recipe due to their high starch and low moisture content, which results in a fluffier texture. Avoid using waxy potatoes, typically those with yellow or red skins. These types of potatoes have higher moisture and lower starch content, which will become gluey very quickly when mashed. Picking the right type of potato when making this Twice Baked Potatoes recipe will make it easy to get incredible results, every time.

And now that you’re an expert, make sure to try one of our other savory potato side dishes. They’re perfect for any potato fan!

When Do I Serve Twice Baked Potatoes?

There’s no need to wait for a special occasion to whip up this delectable dish. Any night where you’re craving some extra creamy, comforting goodness will do. But don’t sleep on this side for celebratory meals either. Twice Baked Potatoes make a great addition to your other Thanksgiving recipes (make sure to check out these other amazing Thanksgiving sides for a perfectly rounded out holiday feast.) They’re great for the Christmas holiday recipes, too.

Ingredients

4 large unpeeled Idaho or russet baking potatoes (8 to 10 oz each)
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Steps

1

Heat oven to 375°F. Gently scrub potatoes, but do not peel. Pierce potatoes several times with a fork to allow steam to escape while potatoes bake.
2

Bake 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced in center with a fork.
3

When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut lengthwise in half; scoop out inside, leaving a thin shell. In medium bowl, mash potatoes with potato masher or electric mixer on low speed until no lumps remain. Add milk in small amounts until the mixture is somewhat fluffy.
4

Add butter, salt, pepper, cheese, and chives then mix until potatoes are combined fully. Fill potato shells with mashed potato mixture. Place on ungreased baking sheet.
5

Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Bake about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1
Make-Ahead Twice Baked Potatoes: Make potatoes through Step 4. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 1 month. Bake as directed in Step 5. Bake refrigerated potatoes for 30 minutes, frozen potatoes about 40 minutes.
tip 2
Uniform cooking is the key to potatoes that will whip up to be nice and fluffy. You can use a kitchen scale to make sure all of your potatoes are roughly the same weight and ensure even cooking.
tip 3
For extra pizazz, top your baked potatoes with additional cheese and place under the broiler for 1 to 3 minutes or until lightly golden brown then sprinkle with extra chives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Baked Potato and Twice Baked Potato?

Baked potatoes and twice baked potatoes are popular dishes that both start with the humble spud, but they have major differences when it comes to their preparation, texture, and flavors.
A baked potato is a simple, straightforward dish. They are cooked plain (or sometimes with a bit of oil and salt) in an oven until the skin becomes crispy and the inside is fluffy and soft. The result is a side that spotlights the potato’s natural flavor, and it is usually served with toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, or chives, which are added after cooking.
Twice baked potatoes, on the other hand, take the culinary process a step further. After the initial baking, the potatoes are cut open and most of the soft interior is scooped out and mixed with ingredients like butter, sour cream, and cheese. Often additional flavors like chives, bacon, onions, or herbs are added to create a creamy, flavorful mash. This mixture is spooned back into the hollow potato skins and baked a second time. The result is a dish that is richer and more decadent than a simple baked potato, with a crispy outer shell and a creamy, savory filling inside.
This dual cooking method not only enhances flavors but also transforms the texture, making twice baked potatoes a more indulgent dish compared to their once baked counterparts. Want to try a sweeter variation? Explore our Twice Baked Brown Sugar and Pecan Sweet Potatoes

Why Are My Twice Baked Potatoes Gummy?

Making Twice Baked Potatoes is easy, however there are a few important pitfalls to avoid in order to make sure you end up with a perfect texture every time.
Overworking your potatoes can lead to a gummy texture. Over mashing or using a food processor can break down the potatoes’ cellular structure too much, releasing an excess of gluten, leading to a sticky consistency.
To prevent this, closely follow the steps in this recipe: first mix the milk in slowly until soft and fluffy. Then add butter, salt, pepper, cheese, and chives then mix until potatoes are combined fully. It's best to gently mash the potatoes only as needed to incorporate ingredients and achieve your desired texture, without excessive beating or stirring.
By carefully mashing your potatoes and combining your ingredients, you can avoid textural mishaps and ensure your Twice Baked Potatoes are always fluffy and delectable.

Does the Kind of Milk Matter?

Nope! You can use whatever milk you have on hand when whipping up this Twice Baked Potatoes recipe. But whatever you do, add your milk slowly. Adding too much cold milk to your potatoes too quickly will cause them to cool too fast, leaving you with a gluey mash. If you’re opting to make this your main dish, consider using non-dairy soy milk in your recipe to add some additional protein as well as a slightly different flavor profile.

Nutrition

200 Calories, 11g Total Fat, 6g Protein, 20g Total Carbohydrate, 2g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 200

Calories from Fat: 100

Total Fat: 11g; 16%

Saturated Fat: 7g; 34%

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 30mg; 10%

Sodium: 210mg; 9%

Potassium: 520mg; 15%

Total Carbohydrate: 20g; 7%

Dietary Fiber: 2g; 8%

Sugars: 2g

Protein: 6g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 8%; 8%

Vitamin C: 8%; 8%

Calcium: 10%; 10%

Iron: 6%; 6%

Exchanges:

1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choice

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

Looking for some additional support on this recipe? Learn more about How to Bake a Potato

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