Baked Potato Recipes

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.

baked potato recipes

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. 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.

The Perfect Baked Potato

baked potato recipes

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove baking sheet from the oven.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Using a small paring knife, slice halfway through the potato lengthwise. Then give it a gentle squeeze to open.
  7. Serve immediately, with your desired toppings.

How to Make the Absolute Best Baked Potatoes

FAQ

Should baked potatoes be wrapped in foil to bake?

No! Wrapping potatoes in foil holds the moisture in—which means the potatoes will start to steam. If you wrap them in foil you’ll be left with soggy potatoes instead of crispy ones. Baking them on a baking sheet (or even directly on the oven rack) spaced apart lets the air circulate around them for more even cooking.

Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400?

The best baking temperature for potatoes is 350 F. It will allow the potatoes to bake slowly without them drying out or becoming burnt.

What temperature should a baked potato be cooked at?

Potato baking temperatures range from 350˚ to 450˚F. The sweet spot seems to be at 400˚F, a temperature that cooks the potato all the way through and crisps the skin without singeing it. That said, you don’t need to strictly adhere to a certain temperature every time you bake a potato.

Is 450 too high to bake a potato?

You can really bake potatoes at almost any oven temperature — from 350°F to 450°F — and anywhere in between. I’ve tested many different recipes, and have landed on the Cook’s Illustrated recommendation for a hot 450°F oven. This gives the potatoes that great dry, fluffy, and soft interior and an incredibly crispy skin.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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