Description
Tater Boats are a delicious and satisfying dish featuring crispy baked potato shells filled with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and topped with sour cream and green onions. Perfect as a party appetizer, side dish, or casual dinner, these cheesy potato boats offer a delightful combination of creamy, savory, and crunchy textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Filling and Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare and Bake Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce each one several times with a fork. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season them evenly with salt and black pepper. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until soft and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Hollow Out the Potatoes: Allow the potatoes to cool slightly so they can be handled safely. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell intact to form the “boat.” Reserve the scooped-out potato for another recipe, such as mashed potatoes.
- Fill the Potato Boats: If using, brush the inside of each potato shell with melted butter to add richness. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese evenly into each potato shell, followed by the crumbled bacon.
- Bake to Melt Cheese: Return the filled potato boats to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and is bubbling.
- Add Final Toppings and Serve: Remove the potato boats from the oven. Top each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions. Serve the tater boats warm to enjoy the melty cheese and savory bacon flavors at their best.
Notes
- These tater boats make a fantastic appetizer, side dish, or fun and easy dinner.
- Customize your filling by adding cooked chicken, jalapeños, or different varieties of cheese to suit your taste.
- Save the scooped-out potato flesh for mashed potatoes or potato pancakes to avoid waste.
- Brushing with melted butter before baking enhances flavor but is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tater boat
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
