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Easy Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (with Cream Cheese)

When you need a delicious side dish, nothing is better than my easy twice-baked potato recipe. Baked potatoes recipe with cream cheese are rich and delicious and they make the perfect side dish with just about any meal.

These tasty potatoes are a family favorite, perfect for company, and will even work well for parties. You can prepare them ahead and wait to bake the second time until right before they are served.

Three Twice-baked potatoes displayed on a cutting board.

How to make Twice Baked Potatoes

You are going to love making these Twice Baked Potatoes with Cream Cheese because the filling is smooth, delicious, over-the-top cheesiness and it takes very little work!

Ingredients for Easy Twice Baked Potatoes

Ingredients for the recipe.

Russet Potatoes. This particular potato is the best texture, size, and shape for this recipe.
Canola or Vegetable oil. Your choice.
Kosher Salt. This coarse kosher salt is actually saltier than table salt so you don’t need as much.
Bacon. Cooked and chopped.
Cheddar cheese Blend. Shredded and separated into two different amounts per the recipe,
Sour Cream. Use an actual brand. Store brands tend to be mixed with fillers and thickeners.
Cream Cheese. I don’t recommend the low-fat version.
Unsalted Butter. Melted.
Paprika. There are different varieties of paprika. Use what you prefer.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Mixing the filling for easy twice baked potatoes.

Step-By-Step Instructions

4 photo grid showing baked potatoes scooped out and stuffed with filling.
  • Start by preheating your oven. It can heat up while you prepare your ingredients and ensure even baking.
  • Wash the potatoes and place them in a bowl.
  • Toss with the oil and salt.
  • Spread the potatoes out on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 60 minutes. A baked potato is ready when a fork or dinner knife pierces it smoothly and easily.
  • Reduce the oven temperature.
  • Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides.
  • Mix the insides of the potatoes with the remaining ingredients, topping with the set-aside cheese.
  • Fill the potato shells with the potato mixture.
  • Bake for ten more minutes.
Potatoes on the sheet pan.

Make sure to get the specific details for this easy twice baked potato recipe from the recipe card found at the end of this post.

What to Do With Leftovers

How long do twice-baked potatoes last in the fridge?

Leftovers can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days. You can also freeze them. Freeze them individually by spreading them out on a sheet pan and once they are fully frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic zipper bag. Frozen baked potatoes will take up to twenty-five minutes extra to reheat.

How to Reheat Twice Baked Potatoes

I highly recommend you reheat these in the oven since microwaving them can make them soggy and change the texture. Here’s how to do that.

  • Preheat your oven to 400º F.
  • Place the potatoes on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or thoroughly hot. Add extra time if reheating from frozen.
Three twice-baked potatoes on a board close-up.

FAQ

Should you poke holes in potatoes before baking?

Poking holes in the skin of the potato allow steam to escape. This prevents the occasional potato explosion that can occur because they are full of water and it turns to steam as the potatoes are baked. It doesn’t really help them bake faster.

Should you bake potatoes in foil?

Potatoes should not be wrapped in aluminum when you bake them. The foil will keep in the moisture and actually steam the potatoes instead of baking them. This results in a curious flavor and texture more similar to boiled potatoes.

The potato skins also take on a delicious sturdiness when baked without wrapping them in foil which helps hold all of that delicious filling.

Can twice-baked potatoes be made ahead? 

These can be frozen or refrigerated to use later on. Freeze the potatoes individually on a sheet pan and once each one is solid you can move it to a freezer-quality plastic baggy. On the day of, you can also make them ahead but stop before baking them the second time and keep them in the refrigerator until shortly before they will be served so that you can serve guests hot potatoes.

Three twice-baked potatoes in an image with a drink and salad,

Tips for Making Twice Baked Potatoes

  • You can use any potato, but we prefer russet potatoes. They are sturdy enough to hold all of the goodies and won’t turn to mush. Plus they tend to be uniform in size and shaped like a boat. Which is perfect.
  • Mix up the potato filling while the potatoes are warm for smoother blending. You can use a mixer for fluffy filling, but be careful. Don’t over mix or your filling will become gummy. Mixing activates the starch.
  • Don’t overbake or the cheese will become stiff and unappetizing. 
  • Bake the potatoes in the microwave and then finish them in the oven
  • Use small potatoes and serve them as an appetizer.
  • Leave out the bacon for a vegetarian option.
  • Garnish with thinly sliced green onions.

What to serve with this easy twice-baked potato recipe?

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

Still looking for potato recipes? Here are some of our favorites

Side view of three cheese stuffed potatoes sitting on a cutting board.

Easy Twice Baked Potatoes Recipoe

Author: Julie
When you need a delicious side dish, nothing is better than my easy twice-baked potatoes. An easy twice-baked potatoes recipe.
5 from 15 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Sides
Cuisine American
Keyword: Baked Potato, Loaded potato, Twice Baked Potato
Servings: 8

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 Russet potatoes
  • 3 Tbsp Canola or Vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp Coarse Kosher Salt
  • 2 Cups Bacon, cooked, and chopped
  • 2 Cups Shredded cheddar cheese blend Set 1/2 Cup Aside.
  • 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
  • 4 Oz. Cream Cheese
  • 4-5 Tbsp Unsalted Butter melted.
  • 1/2 Tbsp Paprika
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
  • Wash the potatoes and place them in a mixing bowl.
  • Pour oil and kosher salt over them and toss to coat.
  • Lay potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them for 60 mins.
  • Remove from oven, reduce temp to 350 °F, and slice potatoes in half (longways).
  • Remove the inside of the potatoes and add them to a large bowl.
  • Add in sour cream, cream cheese, melted butter, bacon, 1 1/2 cup shredded cheese, paprika, and salt & pepper to taste. Combine this mixture and spoon it into the potato shells.
  • Sprinkle the tops with shredded cheese.
  • Bake at 350º for 10 mins or until cheese is fully melted. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 618kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 18gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 1502mgPotassium: 641mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 976IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 253mgIron: 2mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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Easy Twice Baked Potatoes
Easy Twice Baked Potato Recipe
Recipe Rating




Amy Nash

Tuesday 10th of August 2021

Twice baked potatoes have been a favorite of mine since childhood! These are amazing with both sour cream and cream cheese!

Julie Menghini

Wednesday 11th of August 2021

Thank you, Amy!

Lisa Kerhin

Sunday 8th of August 2021

These potatoes look so delicious! We have baked potatoes often, this will be a nice change up

Julie Menghini

Monday 9th of August 2021

Thank you, Lisa! I like mixing up our menu too and these are usually Sunday taters.

Ashley Marie Lecker

Saturday 7th of August 2021

These sound amazing - So cheesy and delicious. I would love to have these with a grilled steak.

Julie Menghini

Saturday 7th of August 2021

That would be my favorite combination too! Thank you.

Nikki Lee

Saturday 7th of August 2021

Cheesy and delicious! Bake up perfectly every time!

Julie Menghini

Saturday 7th of August 2021

I think so too! Thank you, Nikki!

Amy (Savory Moments)

Friday 6th of August 2021

Yes!! These look absolutely amazing! I love, love twice baked potatoes and these ones are so loaded with cheese and flavors!

Julie Menghini

Saturday 7th of August 2021

We love twice-baked too. So fluffy and cheesy! Thank you.

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