Scrub and wash the potatoes. Slice them in half lengthwise. Prepare a large bowl or pot full of water. This will be used to keep the potatoes from browning while they are being prepared.
6 russet potatoes
Using a melon baller, scoop out the middle of the potato, leaving a border approximately 1/4" thick. When completed, place the potato in the water. You can also keep the pieces you scooped out and make some mashed potatoes!
Repeat until all of the potatoes have been scooped out.
In a small bowl, combine the oil, salt, and pepper.
1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Remove the potatoes from the water and shake off. Place them skin side down on a sil pad or tin foil on a large baking sheet.
Brush the oil mixture on the inside of each potato skin shell and let any excess oil drip off. Flip each shell upside down so the skin side is now up.
Brush each shell with the oil mixture on the skin side as well. Leave them skin side up for baking.
Bake the potato skin shells until they are just fork tender, approximately 12-15 minutes. The time will vary based on how thick you leave the shell and how large the potatoes are. You want them to be soft enough to eat but not too soft so they do not fall apart.
Remove them from the oven and let cool slightly before adding any fillings. See our other recipes for filling ideas and instructions.
Notes
Find more potato skin recipes here!Grab all the equipment you need from these affiliate links: melon baller, silicone basting brush, silicone baking mats.The potatoes can be any size you wish however it is best to keep them similar in size so that they cook evenly. The size of the potato will also change how long you need to cook them.It is best to not use olive oil because it has a lower smoking point, which means it can essentially burn faster at higher temperatures. It also tends to make the potatoes softer instead of crispy. But if olive oil is all you have, or what you prefer, it will still work.