Name: Cheesy Mini Twice-Baked Potato Bites
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 51 min
Total time: 1 h 21 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 6 slices bacon; 1.5 pounds baby potatoes; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; Salt and ground black pepper to taste; 3 tablespoons butter, melted; 3 tablespoons mascarpone cheese; 3 green onions, finely chopped; 3 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese; 0.5 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 pinch Creole seasoning, or to taste

These delectable mini twice-baked potatoes, infused with creamy butter and a duo of cheeses, are crowned with Creole-seasoned shrimp, making them an unforgettable appetizer that's sure to impress!

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). If using a countertop induction oven, preheat on the 'Combo 3' setting. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels; crumble into small pieces. (15 minutes)

03

Step

Toss potatoes with vegetable oil to coat; season with salt and pepper. Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. (5 minutes)

04

Step

Bake potatoes in the preheated oven until tender, about 30 minutes in the conventional oven and 20 minutes in the countertop induction oven. Cool potatoes until easily handled, about 5 minutes. (35 minutes)

05

Step

Slice off the top 1/4 of each potato lengthwise. Scoop flesh into a bowl using a melon baller or small spoon, leaving about 1/8 inch of flesh on the skin. (10 minutes)

06

Step

Mash melted butter and mascarpone cheese into the potato flesh in the bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until fluffy, about 30 seconds. Stir in bacon, green onions, and Cheddar cheese. Fill potato skins with potato mixture; return to the baking sheet. (10 minutes)

07

Step

Bake filled potatoes in the preheated oven until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Turn on the oven's broiler; broil potatoes until cheese is bubbly and browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the oven. (10 minutes)

08

Step

Season shrimp with Creole seasoning; transfer to a grill pan. (2 minutes)

09

Step

Grill shrimp over high heat until opaque, about 3 minutes. If using a countertop induction oven, cook shrimp on the 'Grill setting' until opaque, about 3 minutes. Top each potato with 1 shrimp. (5 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a dash of hot sauce to the mashed potato mixture.
If you don't have mascarpone cheese, cream cheese can be used as a substitute.
Feel free to experiment with different types of shredded cheese, such as Monterey Jack or pepper jack, to customize the flavor profile.
For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the potato mixture.