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Cheesy twice-baked potatoes topped with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and fresh green onions.

Pumbaa’s Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

These Pumbaa-approved Twice Baked Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food! Fluffy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon, they’re the perfect side dish for steak, BBQs, or your next Lion King movie night. Easy to make and absolutely irresistible!
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Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Cooling and Scooping Time:10 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bbq side dish, best twice baked potatoes, cheesy twice baked potatoes, comfort food recipes, crowd pleasing side dish, easy twice baked potatoes, how to make twice baked potatoes, party side dish, perfect potatoes recipe, twice baked potato, twice baked potatoes for steak dinner
Servings: 8
Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or a mix of cheddar & Gruyère
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 2 green onions chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Scrub potatoes clean, poke holes with a fork, and bake for 50-60 minutes until tender.
  • Let them cool slightly (so you don’t burn your fingertips off), then slice each potato in half and scoop out the inside, leaving a little potato on the skin for structure.
  • In a bowl, mash the scooped-out potato with butter, sour cream, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper until creamy. Stir in bacon & green onions.
  • Spoon the filling back into the potato skins, top with extra cheese, and bake for 15 minutes—just until melty and golden.
  • Garnish with chopped green onions, serve hot, and watch them disappear.

Notes

✔ Cheese Swap: While cheddar is classic, a mix of cheddar and Gruyère adds even more flavor. Monterey Jack also works great!
✔ Make-Ahead Tip: You can prep these up to 24 hours in advance—just fill the potato shells, cover, and refrigerate. When ready, bake as directed!
✔ Don’t Overbake! The second bake is just to melt the cheese and warm them through. Too long, and they’ll dry out.
✔ Serving Idea: These pair perfectly with steak, BBQ, or any hearty meal—or just eat them straight off the pan (no judgment).