Loaded Potato Skins With Guacamole
There’s something undeniably comforting about a plate of loaded potato skins. Maybe it’s the way they balance crispy edges with a creamy, savory center, or perhaps it’s the simple pleasure of enjoying something that feels special without being over-the-top. These potato skins are your go-to for when you need something familiar, cozy, and seriously satisfying.
What’s even better? You can whip these up without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. They’re the kind of dish that’s perfect for those nights when you want something easy yet packed with flavor, something that feels like a little win at the end of a long day. So, grab those spuds and get ready to turn simple ingredients into a comfort food classic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let’s be honest—these loaded potato skins are everything you crave in a comfort food, minus the fuss. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making them again and again:
- Crispy on the Outside, Creamy on the Inside: The perfect bite every time. You get that satisfying crunch followed by a smooth, velvety center that makes you want to reach for just one more.
- Budget-Friendly but Big on Flavor: Who says you need fancy ingredients to impress? These potato skins turn simple spuds into a flavor-packed dish that tastes like a splurge without costing like one.
- Easy Enough for a Weeknight, Impressive Enough for Guests: Whether you’re feeding the family or hosting friends, this recipe has you covered. It’s quick to make but looks and tastes like you put in way more effort.
- Endlessly Customizable: Keep it classic or get creative with your toppings. Whether you like a bit of heat or a sprinkle of something cheesy, these potato skins are a canvas for your culinary whims. We’ll give you some ideas and inspiration!
- Vegan Comfort Food at Its Best: Indulgent, satisfying, and totally plant-based. It’s comfort food you can feel good about enjoying any day of the week.
Key Ingredients
The magic of these loaded potato skins lies in just a few simple ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Each component plays a vital role in making this dish a standout. Let’s go over them!
- Potatoes: The foundation of this recipe, potatoes provide that perfect canvas for all the flavors to shine. Their crispy skins and soft insides make them the ideal vehicle for a delicious, hearty filling.
- Avocado: Creamy, rich, and full of healthy fats, avocado is the star of the guacamole filling. It adds a luscious texture and a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with the crispy potato skins.
- Lime: A squeeze of lime juice brightens up the guacamole, adding a tangy kick that balances out the richness of the avocado. It’s that little zing that makes every bite pop.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro brings a burst of color and a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the dish. It adds a vibrant finish, making each bite feel lively and complete.
Other Topping Options
Take your loaded potato skins to the next level by mixing and matching a variety of toppings. Whether you’re craving something cheesy, spicy, or hearty, there’s a topping combination that’s sure to satisfy.
- Beans: Add black beans or pinto beans for a protein-packed, fiber-rich boost.
- Fresh Veggies: Try adding chopped bell peppers, tomatoes, or onions for a fresh, crunchy contrast.
- Pickled Jalapeños: For a spicy kick, sprinkle on some pickled jalapeños.
- Salsa: A spoonful of your favorite salsa adds a burst of flavor and a touch of heat.
- Vegan Cheese: Melt some shredded vegan cheese on top for an extra layer of gooey, savory goodness.
- Vegan Sausage Crumbles: Sprinkle on some seasoned vegan sausage crumbles for a hearty, smoky flavor.
- Vegan Sour Cream: A dollop of vegan sour cream adds a cool, tangy contrast to the warm, savory potato skins.
These options let you customize your potato skins to match any craving, making them as versatile as they are delicious.
How To Make
Ready to turn these potatoes into something special? This recipe is as simple as it gets, and you’ll have these loaded potato skins ready in no time. For the complete recipe details, just scroll to the end of this post!
Step 1: Boil the Potatoes – Boil the potatoes whole, then let them cool. Keep the skins on—they’re about to get crispy and delicious.
Step 2: Prep the Potatoes – Cut each potato in half. Be careful when handling!
Step 3: Scoop out some of the inside, leaving a bit around the edges for structure.
Step 4: Make the Filling – Mash the scooped potato with avocado. Add the lime juice and chili.
Step 5: Season with salt to taste.
Step 6: Grill the Skins – Brush the skins with oil. You can alternatively use an oil spritzer.
Step 7: Grill them cut-side down until crispy.
Step 8: Flip them over and fill with the guac. Cook just a few minutes more with the lid on.
Step 9: Finish and Serve – Top with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges. That’s it—dig in!
How To Serve
These loaded potato skins are delicious on their own, but why stop there? Whether you’re going for a casual snack or a full meal, there are endless ways to pair them with other vegan delights. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Classic Combo: Serve these potato skins alongside a hearty vegan chili for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. The rich, smoky flavors of the chili perfectly complement the crispy, creamy goodness of the potato skins. You can also add a side of homemade vegan mac and cheese or select a solid plant-based brand of mac and cheese!
- Party-Ready: Pair them with our vegan BBQ seitan wings, crispy tofu wings, or cauliflower wings for the ultimate game-day spread. These tangy, protein-packed wings are the perfect partner for your loaded spuds. You can also include some crispy vegan onion rings or vegan bagel bites to keep your guests munching happily.
- A Fresh Twist: For a lighter option, serve the potato skins with a rainbow lavash wrap filled with fresh veggies and hummus. The vibrant colors and crisp textures make a refreshing contrast to the rich potato skins. Another great pairing would be a vegan chopped salad or our colorful hummus crostini.
- Brunch Vibes: If you’re serving these up for brunch, pair them with vegan scrambled eggs or a tofu scramble. It’s a satisfying spread that will keep everyone full and happy!
FAQs
Yes, they are naturally gluten-free, as long as all the toppings and seasonings you use are also gluten-free. Just be sure to double-check any packaged ingredients like vegan cheese or seasoning mixes for hidden gluten.
This versatile appetizer can be paired with a variety of dishes. They’re great alongside vegan chili, BBQ seitan wings, or a fresh chopped salad. You can also serve them with lighter sides like hummus crostini or vegan sushi rolls for a more balanced meal.
They can be a healthier option if made with wholesome ingredients like avocado, veggies, and a minimal amount of oil. While they can be a more indulgent treat, focusing on nutrient-rich toppings can make them a satisfying and nutritious part of your meal.
Yes, you can easily make this recipe in the oven. Just boil the potatoes, halve them, and scoop the flesh out. Drizzle them with olive oil and place them in the oven tray (lined with parchment baking paper) and select the grill mode on your oven. Leave them in there for 5 minutes and flip over. Once ready, fill them with the guacamole (or hummus) and bake them for another 3 minutes.
More Spud-tacular Recipes!
If you make this loaded potato skins recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! I love reading your comments!
The Best Loaded Potato Skins With Guacamole
Ingredients
For the potatoes
- 6 medium potatoes, choose a fast-cooking variety
- 2-3 tablespoons canola oil
For the guacamole
- 1 red chili pepper, or jalapeno
- 1 avocado
- 3-4 teaspoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
Topping
- 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes whole with their peels on, then allow them to cool. Cut them in half and scoop out the inside, leaving about 5 mm of potato around the skin. Set aside the scooped-out potato flesh.
- For the filling, finely chop the chili. Using a fork, mash the potato flesh and avocado together, then combine with the rest of the guacamole ingredients. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more lime juice or salt as desired.
- Brush the potato skins with oil and place them cut-side down on a high-heat grill for 3-4 minutes. Flip them over, fill them with the potato guacamole, and continue cooking with the lid closed for an additional 3 minutes.
- Top with chopped cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover potato skins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep them from getting soggy, store the guacamole separately.
- Reheating: Reheat potato skins in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until they’re crispy and warmed through.
- Make-Ahead Tip: If making these ahead of time, prepare the potato skins and the guacamole separately. Fill the skins just before serving to keep everything fresh.
- Customization: Feel free to experiment with different fillings like vegan cheese or black bean salsa to switch things up and add variety.
- Citrus Cover: Adding extra lime or lemon juice to the guacamole helps slow down the browning process. The acidity from the citrus acts as a natural preservative.
- Air Barrier: Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole to prevent air from reaching it, which is the main cause of browning.
- Olive Oil Layer: Lightly brushing the top of the guacamole with olive oil can create a barrier between the guac and the air, helping to keep it green.
- Keep It Cold: Store the guacamole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cooler temperature helps slow the oxidation process that leads to browning.
Nutrition
This loaded potato skins recipe was adapted from the Vegan BBQ cookbook by Nadine Horn & Jörg Mayer.
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Leave a Comment
Okay, these are just delicious.
Thank you to all about my vegan BBQ Potatoe recipe
I absolutely love potatoes and am always looking for fun new ways to eat them so I’ll definitely be trying out this recipe, especially since I just picked up a bag of russets for the holidays! Really can’t go wrong with these.
Yum. Yum. YUM. YUMMMMM! I mean, how can you go wrong with potatoes and guacamole?? The potatoes came out like a dream and the guacamole sublime! Mixing a warm, crisp potato with a cool, soft guac is like peanut butter and jelly – the BEST combo ever. I could eat these every single night of the week! Don’t forget to use that splash of lime juice over the top of everything. It really highlights all of the flavors 😀
Every time I make potato skins I think: why don’t I make these more often? Love this fresh spin with guac.
This is such a clever and unique dish and makes for a perfect appetizer.
The crispy potato skins are fabulous with the creamy avocado/potato guacamole. It has become my go-to appetizer.
These are so yummy! I love the combination of potatoes and avocado!
thank you ofr liking my post