The best baked potato recipe — perfectly crispy and flavorful on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and so flavorful and delicious.
Today, I thought we could go back to the basics and review a simple skill that every good cook should master…
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I finally came to appreciate for myself the difference between a good baked potato and a great baked potato. You know what I’m talking about. Those baked potatoes whose skins are irresistibly golden and crispy, with a satisfying hint of crunchy salt in each bite. Those baked potatoes whose insides are perfectly light and fluffy and steamy, ready to enjoy with a dash of fresh chives or maybe loaded up with all of your favorite toppings. Those baked potatoes that taste like pure, nostalgic, comforting carbohydrate magic, and remind you how satisfying a simple potato can be.
That’s what we’re talking about today. And the good news for us all is that perfectly baked potatoes are actually incredibly easy to make. The secret lies 100% in this method below. All you need are 4 easy ingredients, a few minutes of active prep time and a piping hot oven. Then before you know it, the best baked potatoes of your life will be ready to serve and load up with your favorite toppings in no time.
The Perfect Baked Potato
Learn how to make the perfect baked potato using this step-by-step tutorial and recipe. So easy and delicious!
Prep: 2min
Total: 52min
Yield: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 medium-to-large Russet potato, scrubbed clean of any dirt
- 1-2 teaspoons melted butter (or olive oil)
- pinch of coarse Kosher salt
- pinch of freshly-cracked black pepper
Instruction:
- Heat oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil (or parchment*), and if you happen to own a wire cooling rack, place it on top of the baking sheet.
- Using a dinner fork or a small paring knife, poke the potato at least 10 times on all sides. Place the potato on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove baking sheet from the oven.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the outside of the potato with melted butter or olive oil until it is completely coated on all sides. Sprinkle the potato with a generous pinch of Kosher salt, and place the potato back on the baking sheet reverse-side-up, so that it can cook evenly on both sides.
- Bake for an additional 20 minutes. Using an oven mitt, carefully squeeze the potato to check for doneness. If the insides are soft and give under pressure, remove the potato from the oven. Otherwise, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the potato is soft.
- Using a small paring knife, slice halfway through the potato lengthwise. Then give it a gentle squeeze to open.
- Serve immediately, with your desired toppings.
Perfect Baked Potato
Bake a potato perfectly every time! With the olive oil & sea salt coating, it’ll come out of the oven with crispy skin and fluffy insides that are delicious with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients:
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
Instruction:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a fork to poke a few holes into the potatoes. Place on the baking sheet, rub with olive oil, and sprinkle liberally with sea salt all over. Bake 45 to 60 minutes, or until the potato is fork-tender and the skin is crisp.
- Slice open each potato, fluff the insides, and serve with desired toppings.
How to Make the Absolute Best Baked Potatoes
FAQ
Should potatoes be wrapped in foil to bake?
What temperature should a baked potato be cooked at?
Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400?
How long does it take to do a baked potato in the oven at 350?
- Preheat oven to 350°. …
- Place potatoes directly on an oven rack and roast until very soft when squeezed and skin is crisp, 60–75 minutes.
- Cut open each potato; season with salt and pepper and top with butter, Parmesan, and/or chives.
