Preheat oven to 425 degrees f. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Brush potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt. Place potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. Let sit until cool enough to handle.
While the potatoes are cooking, assemble the toppings. Cook bacon, shred the cheese and slice the green onions. (I use more greens than onion).
Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, then carefully scoop out the flesh from each half, leaving about ¼ inch of flesh to form a bowl. Save the scooped potatoes for another use, if desired.
Preheat the broiler. Place the potato halves on the foil lined baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with diced bacon and shredded cheese. Place under the broiler for several minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream and garnish with sliced green onions. Optional: serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
Store leftover (filled) baked potato skins in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in a 350 degree oven until warmed through (about 10 minutes). When selecting your potatoes, choose small russets, that are as close to the same size as you can get them. Make ahead: Cook the potatoes and scoop out the flesh, and bake again. Before filling, let cool, cover tightly and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Fill and broil as directed. This recipe makes a lot of potato skins, but the amounts given are really easy to customize so you only have to make as many skins as you need.Freeze any leftover (unbaked) skins: To freeze the skins, scoop out the flesh of the baked potatoes. Place the skins on a tray in the freezer for about an hour to freeze, then transfer to an airtight freezer container and freeze for up to 4 months. Bake straight from the freezer, then add fillings and broil.