With its creamy, buttery center and crispy bacon topping, a loaded baked potato is the best comfort food. Here's how to make it.
Use a fork to prick potatoes all over. Then rub potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake the potatoes at 400°F until tender, about 1 hour.
Place sliced bacon on a baking sheet with aluminum foil and bake until crispy and golden-brown, 15-20 minutes. Chop into pieces and set aside.
Shred cheese with a grater. Then add butter, sliced scallion whites, and chopped chives to a bowl. Reserve scallion greens and extra chives for garnish.
Cut potatoes lengthwise. Scoop out the potato flesh and add to the bowl of butter. Place the potato shells on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mash the potato-butter mixture until butter is melted. Add bacon, cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, milk, salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
Divide the mixture between the potato shells. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake on the upper rack until the cheese is melted, about 8 minutes.
Sprinkle with bacon and scallion greens. Dollop with sour cream and sprinkle with chives.