Healthy Greek-Style Potato Skins with Hummus: The Ultimate Gluten-Free & Vegetarian Appetizer for Parties

Welcome to a delicious and healthy twist on a classic party favorite! These Greek-style potato skins are generously filled with creamy hummus, crumbled feta, and vibrant chopped cucumber, tomatoes, and scallions. They’re not just incredibly flavorful but also naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, making them an ideal appetizer for tailgating, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where you crave a satisfying, guilt-free snack. Get ready to impress your guests with this fresh and innovative recipe!

This post is sponsored by Sabra.

Why These Greek Potato Skins Will Become Your New Favorite Appetizer

Imagine this: crispy potato skins, warm and savory olive tapenade hummus, tangy feta cheese, and a fresh burst of crunchy vegetables. Doesn’t that sound like a dream? For me, this combination covers all the essential food groups I adore. Appetizers hold a special place in my heart – if it were up to me, every meal would be a delightful spread of various bite-sized snacks and savory starters. And I’m pretty sure many of you feel the same way!

Easy, crowd-pleasing snack and appetizer recipes are especially crucial during busy seasons, be it holiday parties, game days, or casual get-togethers. My family, like many, can get “hangry” quite easily (and no, that’s not an exaggeration!), so having readily available, delicious bite-sized options is a must. When brainstorming a creative and healthier spin on a traditional party snack, crispy potato skins immediately came to mind. It might sound unusual, but I didn’t actually try my first potato skin until my late twenties. Now, I’m wholeheartedly making up for lost time with these incredible creations!

Instead of the typical potato skin overloaded with rich ingredients like sour cream, heaps of cheese, and bacon, I envisioned a lighter, more vibrant alternative. That’s how these delightful Greek-style potato skins were born. They boast a generous filling of creamy hummus, a delicate sprinkle of crumbled feta, and a refreshing topping of finely chopped cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and fresh scallions. The result is an appetizer that is incredibly satisfying, bursting with flavor, remarkably nutritious, and entirely vegetarian. Plus, for those with dietary considerations, they are naturally gluten-free!

The Secret to Perfect Potato Skins: Choosing the Right Potatoes

While many classic potato skin recipes traditionally call for larger russet potatoes, this Greek-inspired version opts for something a little different. For this recipe, we use medium red or yellow potatoes. Their skins are naturally a bit more delicate, which contributes to a lovely texture, but more importantly, their smaller size makes these potato skins perfectly bite-sized – ideal for effortless snacking at a party! If you happen to find very small russet potatoes, those would also work wonderfully, providing a slightly sturdier skin if that’s your preference. The key is to select potatoes that are uniform in size to ensure even baking and a consistent presentation.

Prepping the potatoes correctly is crucial for achieving that desirable crispy exterior. We start by tossing them with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting them until tender. Once cooled slightly, the potato flesh is carefully scooped out, leaving just enough potato within the skin to hold its shape and provide a satisfying base. This method not only creates the perfect vessel for our flavorful toppings but also ensures a balance of textures in every bite. The oven roasting then crisps up the skins beautifully, making them an irresistible foundation for our fresh Mediterranean fillings.

Elevating Flavor with Hummus and Mediterranean Toppings

To truly embrace the Greek theme, I chose Sabra’s olive tapenade hummus for the filling. This particular flavor is a personal favorite, second only to their amazing lemon twist hummus. The rich, briny notes of olive tapenade are incredibly complementary to the other Mediterranean ingredients in this dish. If you’ve ever tried my swirled tapenade bread, you’ll know just how much I adore this flavor profile, and its pairing with hummus here is simply perfection.

Once the creamy hummus and crumbled feta are nestled into the potato skins, they take a brief trip back into the oven under the broiler. This crucial step accomplishes two wonderful things: it gently warms the hummus, transforming its texture and enhancing its savory notes (if you’ve never experienced warm hummus, prepare for a game-changer!), and it lightly caramelizes the feta, adding a delightful golden hue and a depth of salty, tangy flavor. The combination of warm, creamy hummus and slightly crisp, melted feta is truly heavenly.

For those who might not be enthusiasts of olives, don’t worry! These potato skins are incredibly adaptable. You can absolutely use a classic hummus for a more universally appealing flavor, or feel free to experiment with any other favorite Sabra flavor. Over the years, I’ve discovered just how incredibly versatile hummus is, making it a staple in my kitchen and one of the many reasons I love incorporating it into creative recipes like this. Its creamy texture and wholesome ingredients provide an excellent base for a healthier appetizer, offering plant-based protein and fiber that will keep you satisfied.

Perfect for Any Gathering: Make-Ahead Tips and Dietary Options

These Greek-style potato skins are not only delicious but also incredibly convenient for entertaining. If you’re planning to bring them to a tailgating event, a holiday party, or any potluck gathering in the coming weeks, you’ll be delighted to know they can be largely prepared in advance. Simply bake and scoop the potato skins ahead of time (without any toppings). Once they are cooled, you can place them in a large, airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for a few days. When it’s time to serve, just warm them in the oven for a few minutes at your host’s house or back at home before adding the fresh fillings. This strategy significantly reduces your day-of prep time, allowing you to enjoy the festivities without stress.

The fresh toppings – the diced cucumber, tomatoes, and sliced scallions – can also be prepped and stored separately in small containers. This means quick assembly is a breeze, whether you’re at home or on the go. Imagine arriving at a party with your pre-baked potato skins and pre-chopped veggies, ready to assemble a fresh and impressive appetizer in minutes. It truly doesn’t get much easier than that to bring a homemade, impressive appetizer that looks and tastes fantastic!

Another fantastic aspect of this recipe is its adaptability to various dietary needs. For those following a vegan or dairy-free diet, these potato skins can be easily modified. Simply omit the crumbled feta cheese during assembly, and voila – you have a completely vegan and dairy-free appetizer that is just as flavorful and satisfying, thanks to the rich hummus and fresh vegetables. Alternatively, if you’re serving a mixed crowd, you can simply set aside a few potato skins without cheese before broiling, ensuring everyone can partake in the deliciousness. No one gets left out of the fun!

A Crowd-Pleasing Dish You’ll Crave

Just a friendly warning: these Greek-style potato skins are incredibly addictive! You might find it hard to stop at just one, so remember to make plenty of extras, especially if you’re sharing. The best part? There’s absolutely no guilt required when indulging in these wholesome, flavor-packed bites. They offer a perfect balance of crispy texture, creamy richness from the hummus, tangy notes from the feta, and refreshing crunch from the fresh vegetables. It’s a complete flavor experience that’s both light and satisfying, making it a perfect healthy appetizer choice.

Whether you’re hosting, attending a party, or simply looking for a new favorite snack, these Greek-style potato skins with hummus are sure to be a hit. They combine the comfort of a classic with the vibrant, healthy flavors of the Mediterranean, creating an appetizer that stands out on any table. Give them a try – your taste buds and your guests will thank you for this delightful culinary adventure!

This post is sponsored by Sabra. I am proud to be part of the Sabra Tastemaker program. Thank you for supporting brands that help make this site possible!