Why oh why have I never madebefore??? These party-tastic oval bites were super easy to make andamazing. Load up a platter of potato skins for game day, your next party or just because you crave them! (These bites are easy to crave once you have tasted them.)Super crispy, buttery potato skins cradle creamy, cheezy-mashed potato filling with bubbly melted vegan pepperjack cheese shreds scattered on top. Piled on top of that cheezy bliss: vegan sour cream, vegan tempeh bacon bits and a colorful array of freshly chopped veggies including green onion, chives, red onion, tomato and jalapeno. Some micro kale on there too, to boost the green goodness. Plus I have a few more steps along the way to make sure your potato skins are the best ever!!.. It's like this: Cheesy Potato Skins a la VINE video Some spicy jalapeno + smoky tempeh bacon bits top creamy non-dairy sour cream. (A dollop of guac would be awesome too!)Head over to Whole Foods or another vegan-food friendly grocery store and pick up a few plant-based products: vegan butter (Earth Balance) vegan cheese shreds (try Daiya!) and some vegan sour cream. You might also want to pick up some chilled tempeh bacon (or make it yourself with my recipe .) Then snag tons of veggie toppings and of course plenty of potatoes!Start with these toasty warm baked potatoes..Start scooping!..Toast them up..Cheezy-mash the filling..Fill those toasty skins.....waiting. waiting. waiting. (broil time!)Melty cheese, steamy hot from the oven!..Toppings!..And start eating!..The best part about potato skins is that hot meets cold flavor sensation. When the steamy hot potato and sizzling melted cheese meets the cool. creamy sour cream and crisp veggie toppings. So serve these taters right after you make them for the most enjoyable potato skin experience.4 medium russet potatoes1 1/2 - 2 cups scooped baked potato flesh3-4 Tbsp nutritionl yeast (optional, but adds the "cheezy" part)1-2 Tbsp vegan buttery spread (Earth Balance) - melted1 1/2 Tbsp vegan sour creamsplash of almond or soy milk (unsweetened or plain)dash of cayenne for heat (optional)3 Tbsp vegan buttery spread (Earth Balance) - melted8 Tbsp vegan cheese shreds (Daiya Pepperjack used)8 Tbsp vegan sour cream (or less if desired - add to taste)2 green onions, chopped1 Tbsp chopped chives1/4 cup tempeh bacon bits (use store bought or THIS recipe)1/4 cup red onion, finely choppedherbs or micro greens on top (optional)1/2 jalapeno, sliced into ringsblack olivesdiced radishchopped carrotshaved or roasted mushroomsdiced bell pepperchopped carrotchunky salsaguacamole **Filling: Option Two - spicy fiesta salsa mash - pairs great with a guacamole accent:1 1/2 cups scooped potato flesh1 Tbsp vegan sour cream2 tsp vegan buttery spread1/4 cup spicy salsanutritional yeast to taste1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.2. Wash and scrub your potatoes so that any dirt or brown residue is removed. Dry potatoes and pierce a few times with a fork.3. Place potatoes in oven, directly on the rack is fine, and bake for about 30 minutes or until baked through the center. This will vary depending on the size of your potatoes.4. Remove the potatoes from the oven - the skin should be nice and crispy. Slice into long halves. Scoop out about 3/4 of the potato flesh using a spoon. Place all flesh in a small bowl and set scooped skins aside.5. Melt your 3 tablespoons of vegan butter in a small shallow bowl.6. Line a baking sheet with foil.7. Dip your scooped skins in the melted vegan butter. Dip so both sides get shiny coated in vegan buttery residue. Also drizzle about 1/8 tsp of the vegan butter inside each scooped skin. Repeat until the butter has been used up and all the skins are coated in shiny melted Earth Balance. (Tip: you can use less melted vegan butter in this step if you want to cut back on a few calories. You coudl also substitute with EVOO + a pinch of salt if needed.)8. Place all the skins on your baking sheet and sprinkle with a bit of fine black pepper. Place in oven on top rack and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the edges begin to brown and become very crispy. Then pull out the rack and flip each skin over so that the round bottom faces up. Place skins back in oven and broil for another 2-3 minutes or until the skins brown. (Use less or more broil time if needed!) Set baking sheet aside.9. Add all the cheezy mash ingredients to the scooped potato flesh bowl. Mash and fold until rich, thick and creamy. Add the splash of non-dairy milk to help loosen the mash. (You could also do the salsa mash filling version above)10. Next, fill the potato skins with the mash. About 2 Tbsp per skin.11. Add the cheese shreds and place the filled and cheesed-up skins back in the oven. Broil for 2-4 minutes or until the cheese melts and starts to bubble.12. During all these broiling sessions, you can be prepping your veggies and sauteing your tempeh bacon bits. Arrange all these topping on a platter for easy potato skin "decorating."13. Top those skins! Add a dollop of chilled vegan sour cream, and as many toppings as you'd like. Serve right away so you get that cold meets hot taste sensation. Enjoy!!Make Ahead: You can make these skins up the the part where you broil with the cheese on top! This makes game day much easier for you.**Pre-order my book 365 Vegan Smoothies ! Fan it on Facebook !**