Potato skins loaded with cheese make for an appetizing snack or side dish. However, like any food, they’re best when served fresh and hot. Luckily, properly reheating potato skins to restore that straight-from-the-oven taste and texture only takes a few simple steps. With the right technique, your potato skins can go from chilled leftovers to piping hot party snacks in no time.
Can You Reheat Potato Skins with Cheese?
The good news is that yes, you can absolutely reheat potato skins topped with cheese to revive them to their former glory. Potato skins specifically are well suited for reheating compared to other fried or cheese-topped foods. The potato itself has a high moisture content, so it doesn’t dry out or become tough when reheated. The filling also keeps the cheese melted and creamy.
That said, there are some tricks to reheating potato skins properly. If you just pop them straight from the fridge into the oven or microwave, you may end up with soggy skins or cheese that doesn’t melt well. Taking a few extra steps will ensure hot, crispy skins and melted, gooey cheese when you go to eat them.
How to Reheat Potato Skins in the Oven
The oven is the best way to reheat potato skins to get them crispy on the outside while heating the inside all the way through. Here is a simple oven reheating method:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Arrange the chilled potato skins on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
- Place the skins in the oven and reheat for 10-15 minutes, until hot and slightly crispy.
- If desired, turn the oven to broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to recrisp the tops and melt any cheese.
- Serve immediately, while hot and crisp.
A few extra oven reheating tips:
- Space the potato skins out on the baking sheet so they reheat evenly. Too many crowded together may steam instead of crisping back up.
- For extra crispiness, brush the skins lightly with a little oil before reheating.
- Add any extra cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, etc after reheating so they don’t burn.
- If the skins seem soggy or soft after reheating, put them under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp them up.
How to Reheat Potato Skins in the Microwave
You can also reheat potato skins with cheese in the microwave for a quick and easy weeknight side. It takes just a couple minutes. Here’s how:
- Place the chilled potato skins on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on high power for 60-90 seconds, until hot.
- Let sit 1 minute, then serve.
Microwave reheating works best for a small portion of potato skins, around 4-6 skins. For larger batches, the oven is a better bet. When microwaving, keep these tips in mind:
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, checking between each, to prevent overcooking.
- Let the potato skins sit after microwaving for the heat to evenly distribute.
- Use a microwavable cover or vented plastic wrap to help steam the cheese melted.
- Don’t crowd the skins too close together, so they have room to crisp up.
How to Reheat Potato Skins on the Stovetop
You can also reheat potato skins in a skillet on the stovetop if you don’t want to use the oven or microwave. Here’s how:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a thin layer of oil to coat the bottom.
- Add the chilled potato skins and cook 2-3 minutes per side, until hot and lightly browned.
- Use a spatula to gently press down on the skins while cooking to help crisp them up.
- Cook any extra fillings like cheese or bacon right in the skillet so they heat through.
- Serve the hot potato skins right from the skillet.
Stovetop reheating gives a nice crispy edge to the potato skins. Be sure not to overload the skillet, otherwise they may steam instead. Cook in batches for larger amounts.
Tips for the Best Reheated Potato Skins
Here are some top tips to keep in mind when reheating potato skins filled with cheese:
- Use a hot oven or broiler to recrisp the skins after reheating.
- Brush skins lightly with oil before reheating for extra crispness.
- Flip/stir halfway through cooking for even reheating.
- Cook any extra fillings like cheese or bacon after reheating the potatoes.
- Let skins rest 1-2 minutes after reheating for the heat to equalize.
- Reheat at a high temperature, around 400°F, to quickly crisp and brown.
- Cook in a single layer and avoid overcrowding for the best texture.
Common Reheating Mistakes
It’s easy to end up with less than ideal results when reheating potato skins. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Microwaving too long resulting in dried out, rubbery skins.
- Oven temperatures too low causing soggy skins.
- Overcrowding leading to steaming instead of crisping.
- Not letting rested after reheating leading to uneven hot spots.
- Mixing in cheese and toppings before reheating resulting in burning or drying out.
- Lack of moisture causing the potato flesh to dry out.
- Lack of oil or fat leading to lack of browning and crispiness when reheated.
Storage of Leftover Potato Skins
To make the most of your made-from-scratch or restaurant leftover potato skins, proper storage is key. Here are some storage tips:
- Let potato skins cool completely before storing.
- Place in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days maximum.
- Double wrap for extra moisture retention.
- Avoid freezing potato skins with creamy fillings like cheese or sour cream.
- Label container with date for tracking freshness.
- Keep cooked potato skins separate from raw ingredients.
With proper refrigeration, leftover potato skins can keep well for several days. Reheating them using the oven, microwave, or stovetop will have them tasting great again in no time.
Serving Suggestions
Reheated potato skins make for a quick and easy side dish, appetizer for parties, or game day snack. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Serve reheated potato skins with cold toppings like sour cream, salsa, guacamole, ranch dressing, etc.
- Offer crispy reheated skins with a variety of dipping sauces like cheese sauce, buffalo sauce, ranch, etc.
- Make them a heartier meal by serving with soup or salad.
- Pair with other appetizers like wings, nachos, sliders, etc for a full spread.
- Serve as a side dish along with steak, burgers, bbq chicken, etc.
Potato skins also reheat well for meal prep. Prepare a batch, let cool, and pack individual portions to reheat throughout the week.
Nutrition Information
One of the benefits of potato skins is that they can pack a nutritional punch. Potatoes offer potassium, fiber, magnesium, and iron. When combined with cheese, bacon, and vegetables, you get a balanced appetizer option. Here are some nutrition facts for potato skins:
| Nutrient | Per 1 Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Fat | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 17g |
| Protein | 12g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 400mg |
This nutrition data is based on 6 potato skin halves loaded with cheddar cheese and bacon. Offer vegetarian versions or use reduced fat cheese and bacon to cut down on fat and calories while still getting a protein, carb, and vitamin source.
Recipes and Substitutions
Half of the fun of loaded potato skins is customizing them just how you like. Get creative with fillings and spice them up with different seasonings. Try these recipe ideas:
Classic Loaded Potato Skins
- Crispy potato skin halves
- Shredded cheddar or cheese blend
- Cooked crumbled bacon
- Chives or scallion greens
- Sour cream
BBQ Chicken Potato Skins
- Crispy potato skin halves
- Shredded cheddar
- Diced grilled chicken
- BBQ sauce
- Chopped cilantro
Cheeseburger Potato Skins
- Crispy potato skin halves
- Diced burger patties
- Cheddar cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomato
- Thousand island dressing
Can’t find an ingredient? Try these substitution ideas:
- No bacon? Use cooked sausage, deli ham or turkey instead.
- Replace cheese with shredded Mexican blend, pepperjack, etc.
- Swap in pulled pork, grilled shrimp, or veggies instead of chicken.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- No chives? Substitute sliced scallions, parsley, or dill.
With so many possible combinations, the potato skin possibilities are endless.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do leftover potato skins last in the fridge?
Cooked potato skins will last 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. Double wrap for max freshness. The potatoes may start to dry out after that.
Can you reheat frozen potato skins?
It’s best not to freeze stuffed potato skins, since the moisture in fillings like cheese and sour cream don’t hold up well. You can freeze unfilled baked potato halves for later filling.
What’s the best way to reheat a lot of potato skins?
For larger batches, the oven is the best reheating method. Use a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment for easy cleanup. A 425°F oven for 10-15 minutes reheats a whole tray perfectly.
How do you keep cheese melted on reheated potato skins?
For melted creamy cheese, add it halfway through oven reheating or broil at the end. Microwave 30 seconds uncovered, then 30 more covered to steam. For stovetop, cook a mixture of the cheese and a splash of milk or cream first.
Can I reheat potato skins in an air fryer?
Yes, an air fryer works great! Spray skins with oil or cooking spray first. Air fry at 400°F for 4-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until hot and crispy.
Conclusion
With a few easy tricks, reheating potato skins to crispy, melty perfection is totally doable. Cook them straight from the fridge in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Finish under the broiler to melt cheese and recrisp. Microwaving and stovetop sautéing work too. Avoid soggy skins by not overcrowding and steaming. Revive that leftover potato skin stash in no time with these handy reheating tips.