Amazing Pizza-Stuffed Baked Potato Skins

Looking for a fun twist on classic party appetizers? These Pizza-Stuffed Baked Potato Skins are a crowd-pleaser!

Crispy on the outside, cheesy and flavorful on the inside – they’re the perfect bite-sized snack for any gathering. Whether you’re catering to kids, teens, or adults, these baked potato skins will make your taste buds dance. Plus, they’re easy to make and customizable to fit your favorite pizza toppings.

Let’s get baking!

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe:

• 6 large baking potatoes, cleaned and pierced several times with a fork
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 c. tomato sauce
• 1 T. Italian seasoning
• 1 t. garlic powder
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 c. Mozzarella, shredded
• 4 oz. pepperoni, cut into half rounds and/or chopped
• 3 T. fresh basil, julienned (cut into thin strips)
• Optional: Extra-large basil leaves, for serving

Step-by-step Guide:

1 – Position the top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 425°F.

2 – Place the potatoes in the pre-heated oven and bake until cooked through, approximately 50 minutes. Remove potatoes from oven and transfer to a baking rack to cool for 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.

3 – While the potatoes are cooling, combine the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Set aside.

4 – Once cool, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the soft interior with a spoon, leaving a one-quarter inch margin around the skins. (Save the cooked potato filling for another recipe).

5 – Place the potato skins cut side down on a baking rack set over a baking sheet. Brush the skins with olive oil and return to the hot oven for 10 minutes.

6 – Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip over the skins with tongs. Divide the seasoned tomato sauce evenly between the skins and spread into a thin layer with the back of a spoon.

7 – Fill each skin with an equal amount of Mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and fresh basil. Place back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

8 – Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Pro Tips for Success:

• Make It Veggie-Friendly: Swap out the pepperoni for your favorite veggies, like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives, to make these potato skins vegetarian or even vegan if you use dairy-free cheese. Everyone can enjoy the tasty flavors!

• Save Time with Pre-Cooked Potatoes: If you’re short on time, bake the potatoes the day before and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to assemble, they’ll already be cooked and cooled, making your prep time faster and easier.

• Customize the Toppings: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings! You can add things like cooked sausage, bacon, or even a drizzle of ranch or balsamic glaze to make these potato skins even more delicious and personalized to your taste.

These tips make the recipe quicker, more adaptable, and suited to different diets!

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients and hop into the kitchen to make this delightful Pizza-Stuffed Baked Potato Skins – it’s sure to be a big hit!

Pizza Potato Skins

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

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Ingredients

• 6 large baking potatoes, cleaned and pierced several times with a fork
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 c. tomato sauce
• 1 T. Italian seasoning
• 1 t. garlic powder
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 c. Mozzarella, shredded
• 4 oz. pepperoni, cut into half rounds and/or chopped
• 3 T. fresh basil, julienned (cut into thin strips)
• Optional: Extra-large basil leaves, for serving

Instructions

1. Position the top oven rack in the center position and
   pre-heat oven to 425°F.
2. Place the potatoes in the pre-heated oven and bake until
   cooked through, approximately 50 minutes. Remove potatoes from oven and
   transfer to a baking rack to cool for 10 minutes or until cool enough to
   handle.
3. While the potatoes are cooling, combine the tomato sauce,
   Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Season with salt and
   black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Set aside.
4. Once cool, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and
   carefully scoop out the soft interior with a spoon, leaving a one-quarter inch
   margin around the skins. (Save the cooked potato filling for another recipe).
5. Place the potato skins cut side down on a baking rack set
   over a baking sheet. Brush the skins with olive oil and return to the hot oven
   for 10 minutes.
6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip over the
   skins with tongs. Divide the seasoned tomato sauce evenly between the skins and
   spread into a thin layer with the back of a spoon.
7. Fill each skin with an equal amount of Mozzarella cheese,
   pepperoni, and fresh basil. Place back in the oven for another 10 minutes or
   until the cheese is melted.
8. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes before
   serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Extra-large basil leaves are featured in some of the photos in this
package. In addition to offering a nice pop of color, they are also delicious
when wrapped around the skins prior to eating.