Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?

While russet potatoes are ideal because of their size and starchy texture, you can use Yukon gold potatoes for a slightly more buttery flavor. Sweet potatoes also work beautifully for a sweeter twist, though they'll require a slight adjustment in seasonings and possibly cooking time.

How do I know when the eggs are perfectly cooked?

For that perfect runny yolk, look for egg whites that are completely set (no longer translucent) but a yolk that still has some jiggle when you gently shake the baking sheet. If you prefer a firmer yolk, simply bake for an additional 3-5 minutes. Remember that eggs continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven.

Can I make these vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and perhaps add some sautéed vegetables to the filling instead. Mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach all work wonderfully. You might want to add a pinch more seasoning or some smoked paprika to make up for the missing bacon flavor.

My potato filling looks dry – what should I do?

The texture of potatoes can vary. If your filling seems too dry, simply add a splash more cream or an extra tablespoon of butter. You're looking for a consistency similar to mashed potatoes – creamy but still able to hold its shape.

Breakfast Twice Baked Potato Recipe

This glorious Breakfast Twice Baked Potato takes the classic comfort food to new morning heights! Imagine a perfectly baked potato stuffed with a creamy, cheesy filling, topped with a beautifully baked egg and crispy bacon bits. It’s the ultimate breakfast-meets-dinner fusion that delivers on both presentation and flavor while being surprisingly simple to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Show-stopping Presentation: These loaded potatoes look incredibly impressive on a plate despite requiring minimal effort.
Versatile Mealtime Option: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even breakfast-for-dinner nights when you want something hearty and satisfying.
Complete Meal In One: Contains protein, carbs, and richness all in one beautiful package – no need for multiple side dishes.
Customizable: The basic formula works beautifully while allowing endless variations to suit your preferences or use up ingredients you have on hand.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Potatoes: Large russet potatoes create the perfect vessel with their fluffy interior and sturdy skin. They’re the foundation of the entire dish.
Canola Oil: Helps create that slightly crispy, flavorful skin that makes baked potatoes so delightful.
Butter: Adds richness and creaminess to the potato filling – don’t skimp here!
Heavy Cream: Creates that luxurious, velvety texture in the filling that makes twice-baked potatoes irresistible.
Bacon: Provides smoky flavor and beautiful textural contrast. The bacon flavor permeates the filling and makes a perfect garnish.
Cheddar Cheese: Adds savory depth and that wonderful melty quality. Sharp cheddar works particularly well.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper create a perfectly seasoned base without overwhelming the other flavors.
Eggs: The crowning glory that transforms this from side dish to main event. The runny yolk creates a natural sauce when broken into.
Chives: Add a fresh, mild onion flavor and beautiful color contrast for the perfect finishing touch.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Switch Up Your Proteins

Try crumbled breakfast sausage or diced ham instead of bacon. For a vegetarian version, omit the meat entirely and add extra cheese or even some sautéed mushrooms.

Cheese Options

Experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack for heat, gruyère for nuttiness, or a Mexican blend for a southwestern twist.

Add More Veggies

Fold spinach, diced bell peppers, or corn into the potato mixture for extra nutrition and color.

Spice It Up

Add a dash of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chopped jalapeños to the filling for a spicy kick that pairs wonderfully with the eggs.

How to Make Breakfast Twice Baked Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Take your large potatoes and prick them several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Coat each potato thoroughly with canola oil and sprinkle generously with kosher salt – this creates that wonderfully crispy skin everyone loves. Place directly on the oven rack and bake for about 1 hour, until they yield easily when pierced with a fork.

Step 2: Hollow Out the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are baked and cool enough to handle, slice them in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the interior of each potato half, leaving about a 1/4-inch shell around the edges to maintain structure. Place the scooped potato flesh into a mixing bowl and arrange the hollowed shells on a baking sheet.

Step 3: Create the Filling

To the bowl of potato flesh, add butter, heavy cream, half of your crumbled bacon, the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Mix everything together until smooth and creamy, making sure all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4: Fill and Top the Potatoes

Spoon the creamy potato mixture back into the hollowed potato shells, dividing it evenly. Use the back of a spoon to create a well in the center of each filled potato – this will cradle your egg perfectly. Crack a fresh egg into each well, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the remaining bacon crumbles.

Step 5: Bake Again

Return the filled potatoes to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for the eggs to set while still maintaining a slightly runny yolk – though you can bake longer if you prefer firmer eggs. The potato mixture should be hot throughout and slightly golden on top.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly minced chives over the top of your twice-baked potatoes just before serving. The bright green color and mild onion flavor perfectly complement the rich, savory potato and egg.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Choose the Right Potatoes: Select potatoes of similar size for even cooking and similar-sized portions.
Don’t Over-scoop: Be careful not to pierce through the skin when hollowing out the potatoes – you need a sturdy shell.
Room Temperature Eggs: Using eggs at room temperature helps them cook more evenly and reduces the chance of the whites spreading too much.
Crisp That Skin: After the initial bake, brush the potato skins with a bit of butter before the second bake for extra-crispy exteriors.
Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the potatoes through the filling step and refrigerate overnight. Just allow extra baking time when adding the eggs the next day.

How to Serve

As a Stand-Alone Breakfast

These twice-baked breakfast potatoes are hearty enough to serve on their own for a complete breakfast or brunch. One potato half makes a satisfying portion for most people, while heartier appetites might enjoy a whole potato.

Complementary Sides

For a larger spread, pair with a simple green salad, fresh fruit, or some lightly buttered toast. The richness of the potato is beautifully balanced by something fresh and light.

Beverage Pairings

These potatoes pair wonderfully with coffee, orange juice, or even a spicy Bloody Mary for weekend brunches. For dinner servings, try a crisp beer or a glass of sparkling water with lemon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Prepping Ahead

You can bake the potatoes and prepare the filling up to a day in advance. Store the hollowed shells and filling separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, bring everything to room temperature, assemble, add the eggs, and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to ensure everything is heated through.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover twice-baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the egg yolks will continue to set in the refrigerator, so they won’t be runny upon reheating.

Reheating

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwaving works in a pinch but will make the potato skin softer rather than crispy.

FAQs

Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?

While russet potatoes are ideal because of their size and starchy texture, you can use Yukon gold potatoes for a slightly more buttery flavor. Sweet potatoes also work beautifully for a sweeter twist, though they’ll require a slight adjustment in seasonings and possibly cooking time.
How do I know when the eggs are perfectly cooked?

For that perfect runny yolk, look for egg whites that are completely set (no longer translucent) but a yolk that still has some jiggle when you gently shake the baking sheet. If you prefer a firmer yolk, simply bake for an additional 3-5 minutes. Remember that eggs continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven.
Can I make these vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and perhaps add some sautéed vegetables to the filling instead. Mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach all work wonderfully. You might want to add a pinch more seasoning or some smoked paprika to make up for the missing bacon flavor.
My potato filling looks dry – what should I do?

The texture of potatoes can vary. If your filling seems too dry, simply add a splash more cream or an extra tablespoon of butter. You’re looking for a consistency similar to mashed potatoes – creamy but still able to hold its shape.

Final Thoughts

These Breakfast Twice Baked Potatoes transform an ordinary morning into something special without requiring professional cooking skills. They strike that perfect balance of impressive yet achievable that makes cooking so rewarding. Whether you’re serving them for a lazy weekend breakfast, meal prepping for busy mornings, or enjoying breakfast for dinner, they’re sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation!