Twice-Baked Potatoes
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Rich, cheesy mashed potatoes nestled in crispy potato skins, twice-baked potatoes elevate any meal to something special.
Twice-baked potatoes are the ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes baked in crispy, salty potato skins. You start by making baked potatoes, then they’re halved, scooped out, and mashed with butter, cream, seasonings, egg yolks, cheese, and scallions. The filling is then piled back into the skins and baked again to reheat and crisp up the tops. You can prep them ahead or freeze for up to 3 months. Once filled, just pop them in the oven for 30 minutes for a decadent make-ahead side dish that makes any meal feel special.
Twice-baked potatoes pair beautifully with a simple steak, steak au poivre, beef tenderloin, roast turkey, meatloaf, or roast chicken. They’re also endlessly adaptable. Try topping them with bacon, swap the heavy cream for sour cream, mix in fresh herbs, or substitute some or all of the Cheddar with Gruyère, Parmigiano Reggiano, or blue cheese.
Table of Contents
“These are so good and I love that they can be made ahead!”
What You’ll Need To Make Twice-Baked Potatoes
- Russet potatoes: Also known as Idaho potatoes, they are ideal for making twice-baked potatoes. Their large, oval shape and starchy flesh create a fluffy, flaky filling when cooked. Before baking, the potatoes should be scrubbed clean, rinsed, and dried. I always bake an extra potato to bulk up the filling—twice-baked potatoes are much more appealing when they’re piled high!
- Oil: Helps crisp up the potato skins during baking.
- Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Enhance flavor throughout the dish
- Butter: Provides richness and a creamy texture to the potato filling.
- Heavy cream: Adds extra creaminess to make the filling smooth and luscious.
- Egg yolks: Give the filling a silky texture and help it hold its shape when baked.
- Cheddar cheese: Melts into the filling, adding a tangy, savory flavor.
- Scallions: These slender green onions lend a fresh, mild onion flavor and a bit of color. Chives may also be used.
- Paprika: Sprinkled on top for a pop of color and a touch of smokiness.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
Preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Directly on the baking sheet, rub the potatoes with the oil and sprinkle all over with ½ teaspoon of the salt.
Bake until tender when pierced in the center with a sharp knife (or until the center of the largest potato registers 205°F to 210°F), 60 to 70 minutes. You can also squeeze the potatoes to see if they are soft (be careful; they’re hot!). Let sit until cool enough to handle, 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 2: Scoop out the Flesh
Using a sharp knife, cut each potato in half so that the flatter, wider side will sit flat on the baking sheet. Scoop the flesh from each potato to within about ¼ inch of the skins, and transfer the flesh to a large bowl.
Discard 2 of the scooped potato skin halves (preferably the least perfect ones), and place the remaining 8 potato skin halves back on the baking sheet.
Step 3: Make the Mashed Potato Filling
Add the butter, remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, and pepper to the hot potato flesh in the bowl.
Using a potato masher or large fork, mash until the butter is melted and the potatoes are broken down. Pour in the heavy cream and mash until the cream is incorporated and the potatoes are creamy.
Add the egg yolks and mash until evenly combined.
Stir in the cheese and the remaining scallions.
Step 4: Fill and Bake
Spoon the filling evenly into the potato skins, mounding slightly in the center. Sprinkle with the paprika.
Return to the oven and bake until the filling is heated through and slightly crisp on top, 20 to 25 minutes.
Sprinkle with the reserved scallions and serve.
Make-Ahead & Freezing Instructions
The potatoes can be stuffed ahead of time and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, heat in a 400°F oven until the filling is warm throughout and crisp on top, 25 to 30 minutes. The stuffed potatoes can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Bake in a 400°F-oven directly from the freezer until hot throughout and crisp on top, 30 to 35 minutes.
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Twice Baked Potatoes
Rich, cheesy mashed potatoes nestled in crispy potato skins, twice-baked potatoes elevate any meal to something special.
Ingredients
- 5 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean of dirt, rinsed and dried
- 2 teaspoons vegetable or olive oil
- 2½ teaspoons salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, cut into chunks and softened
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 3 scallions, light and dark green parts, thinly sliced, divided
- ½ teaspoon paprika, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set 1 tablespoon of the dark green scallions aside to use as a garnish.
- Prick each potato a few times all over with a fork, if you like (see note). Directly on the baking sheet, rub the potatoes with the oil and sprinkle all over with ½ teaspoon of the salt. Bake until tender when pierced in the center with a sharp knife (or until the center of the largest potato registers 205°F to 210°F), 60 to 70 minutes. You can also squeeze the potatoes to see if they are soft (be careful; they're hot!). Let sit until cool enough to handle, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Using a sharp knife, cut each potato in half so that the flatter, wider side will sit flat on the baking sheet. Scoop the flesh from each potato to within about ¼ inch of the skins, and transfer the flesh to a large bowl. Discard 2 of the scooped potato skin halves (preferably the least perfect ones), and place the remaining 8 potato skin halves back on the baking sheet.
- Add the butter, remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, and pepper to the hot potato flesh in the bowl. Using a potato masher or large fork, mash until the butter is melted and the potatoes are broken down. Add the heavy cream and mash until the cream is incorporated and the potatoes are creamy. Add the egg yolks and mash until evenly combined. Using a spoon, stir in the cheese and the remaining scallions until evenly combined.
- Spoon the filling evenly into the potato skins, mounding slightly in the center. Sprinkle with the paprika. Return to the oven and bake until the filling is heated through and slightly crisp on top, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the reserved scallions and serve.
- Note: Conventional wisdom says that prior to baking, you have to prick potatoes with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape during baking. The theory is that if you don’t prick the potato, the steam can build up under the skin and cause the potato to explode in the oven. I don't prick my potatoes and have never had a potato explosion, but pricking won't harm the potatoes, so go ahead and prick them as insurance, if you like.
- Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The potatoes can be stuffed ahead of time and refrigerated in a covered container for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, heat in a 400°F oven until the filling is warm throughout and crisp on top, 25 to 30 minutes. The stuffed potatoes can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Bake in a 400°F-oven directly from the freezer until hot throughout and crisp on top, 30 to 35 minutes.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (8 servings)
- Calories: 411
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Sodium: 657 mg
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Comments
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Add this to the many wonderful recipes I have tried from Once Upon a Chef. . . never disappoints! Can the finished potatoes be baked and then frozen?
Glad you liked them! Ideally, I’d freeze them before baking, but if you have leftovers, you can freeze them so they don’t go to waste.
Hi Jenn,
I love your recipes and own both of your cookbooks.
I had a chuckle at your comment on exploding potatoes. But, I have had that happen to me. Just once over a lot of years but it was a mess to clean up. Now they always get pricked with a fork multiple times.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed these. It’s just him and I and we ate all of them in 2.5 days. Loving all of your recipes. Making me feel more confident in the kitchen.
Hi Jenn,
If doubling the recipe, should I double all ingredients including the egg yolks?
Thank you,
Debbie
Yep — hope you enjoy!
Hi Jenn.
Can I skip the egg yolks, or will this alter the flavour?
Hi Debbie, It’s fine to leave them out; they just make the mixture a bit richer.
Hi Jenn,
Can a hand held mixer be used to instead of a potato masher?
Hi Mary, For the best results, I’d stick with a ricer or masher here.
These are absolutely fabulous. Made them for a large family dinner and everyone wanted more. Note to self – double the recipe! Thanks, Jenn.
Delicious!!! I have never made twice baked potatoes before and these did not disappoint–my whole family enjoyed them. I wasn’t sure about the egg yolks or not pricking the potatoes but I’ve learned to trust Jenn enough to do what she says and am always glad I did. Thanks Jenn for another winner!
Can the potatoes be microwaved instead of baked in the oven if frozen for later?
Hi Millie, I wouldn’t recommend that – sorry!
Question Jenn…what is the reason for the egg yolks?
I’ve made twice-baked potatoes but have never used egg yolks. I love and trust your recipes so will try this one – I’m just curious as to the “why” behind the yolks 🙂
Cheers,
Susan
Hi Susan, You don’t have to use egg yolks for twice-baked potatoes, but they add wonderful richness and structure, similar to Duchess potatoes. Hope you enjoy them!
Now you’ve piqued my interest, Jenn! Why the egg yolks?
Hi L, The egg yolks add delicious richness and structure. The filling here is similar to Duchess potatoes, which are typically piped into pretty shapes.