Description
These air fryer baked potato skins with cottage cheese are crispy, golden, and packed with a creamy, high-protein filling. A healthier take on classic potato skins, they deliver crunch without deep frying and use cottage cheese for a nutritious, satisfying twist. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, these potato skins are customizable with your favorite toppings like chives, cheddar, and bacon.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium Russet potatoes (scrubbed clean)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings & Optional Add-Ons
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Crumbled turkey bacon or bacon bits (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare & Cook the Potatoes
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly, scrubbing off any dirt.
- Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Coat the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and black pepper for seasoning.
- Air fry the whole potatoes for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway, until fork-tender.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before handling.
Step 2: Slice, Scoop, and Crisp the Skins
- Slice each potato in half lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh, leaving about ¼ inch of potato attached to the skin for structure. (Save the scooped-out potato for another use like mashed potatoes).
- Brush the inside and outside of each potato skin with olive oil.
- Season with garlic powder and smoked paprika for extra flavor.
- Air fry the skins cut-side down for 5-7 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until crispy.
Step 3: Fill & Finish
- Spoon in the cottage cheese evenly into each crispy potato skin.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, or crumbled bacon as desired.
- Return to the air fryer and heat at 375°F (190°C) for 2-3 minutes, just until warmed and cheese melts.
- Serve immediately, garnished with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Notes
- Extra Crispy Tip: For ultra-crispy skins, air fry for 2 more minutes before adding the filling.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap cottage cheese for mashed avocado or a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Low-Fat Alternative: Use fat-free cottage cheese and omit the cheddar topping.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 4-6 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Air Fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 potato skin halves
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: cottage cheese recipe, air fryer baked potato skins, healthy potato skins, high-protein snack, crispy air fryer potatoes