Preheat and prepare the potatoes

• Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
• Halve the potatoes lengthwise and score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern.
• Rub with olive oil, salt and pepper and place cut-side up on a baking tray.

Bake the potatoes

• Bake until the flesh is tender and the edges are golden.

Crisp the bacon

• Fry the diced bacon in a pan over medium heat until golden and crispy.
• Drain on paper towel.

Add the cheese and bacon

• Top the baked potatoes with grated cheddar and crispy bacon.
• Return to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Serve

• Finish with a spoon of sour cream and chopped chives.