Name: Cheesy Microwave Potato Skins
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 Medium Potatoes, Scrubbed Clean; 2 tbsp Olive Oil; Salt and Pepper, to Taste; 100 g Cheddar Cheese, Grated; 2 Spring Onions, Finely Sliced; Sour Cream, for Serving; Chives, Chopped for Garnish

Ingredients

4 Medium Potatoes Scrubbed Clean
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste
100g Cheddar Cheese Grated
2 Spring Onions Finely Sliced
Sour Cream for Serving
Chives Chopped for Garnish

Method

Step 1: Prep the Potatoes

Pierce the potatoes several times with a fork. This allows steam to escape during cooking. Rub them with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Don’t hold back on the seasoning.

Pricking potatoes all over with a fork on a wooden chopping board

Sprinkling seasoning over potatoes in a white bowel

Step 2: Cook

Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for about 10 minutes, or until they are soft when pierced with a fork. Let them cool slightly.

This timing is based on a 900w microwave. You’ll need to cook them for closer to 15 minutes for lower wattages and you’ll want to start checking them after 8 minutes for higher wattages.

Step 3: Halve and Hollow

Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides, leaving about a quarter inch of potato on the skin.

Using a spoon to scoop the insides out from cooked potatoes on a wooden chopping board

Step 4: Crisp

Brush the potato skins with the remaining olive oil. Place them back on the plate, skin-side up, and microwave for another 3-4 minutes to crisp up a bit.

Brushing the insides of cooked potato skins with oil

Step 5: Add Cheese

Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese inside each skin and microwave for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.

Hollowed potato skins on a plate filled with grated cheese

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top the cheesy potato skins with sliced spring onions and a dollop of sour cream. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chives for that perfect garnish.

A hand adding a sprinkle of slice spring onions to cook potato skins

A hand add a spoonful of sour cream to cooked potato skins

Tweaks

Add Heat For those who like it hot, sprinkle some pickled jalapeños over the cheese for an extra kick.
Add Meat Top your cheesy skins with tender, slow-cooked pulled pork or crispy bacon pieces.

Substitutes

Swap the Spuds Swap regular potatoes for sweet potatoes for a sweeter, nutrient-rich alternative.
Use Pesto Instead Swap the olive oil for pesto to brush over the skins before crisping them up, adding a herby, nutty flavour.

Storage

In the Fridge Let the potato skins cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm.

In the Freezer After cooling, place the potato skins on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven for best results.

Tips

Use Uniform Potatoes: To ensure the potatoes cook evenly in the microwave, try to select potatoes that are uniform in size. Halfway through microwaving, rotate them.

Use the Grill Function: If your microwave has a convection or grill function, use it for the last few minutes after adding the cheese to get a beautifully browned and bubbly top.

Season, Season, Season: Season the inside of the potato skins with a little extra salt and pepper before adding the cheese. This small step can make a big difference in the overall flavour.

Spread the Cheese: Spread the cheese evenly within each potato skin, ensuring it reaches the edges. This guarantees every bite is packed with cheesy goodness.