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 Recipe
Make the perfect baked potato with crisp salty skin and a tender, creamy center. This is our go-to method for how to bake potatoes in the oven, and it never fails.
Prep: 10min
Total: 70min
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 269 kcal, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Trans Fat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 12 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 1 g, unSaturated Fat 4 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 8 medium russet baking potatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter (to serve)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to serve, optional)
Instruction:
- Preheat the oven to 450 ̊F. If you have a wire rack, set it over a baking sheet to promote even cooking all around the potato.
- Scrub the potatoes clean under running water then dry thoroughly with a towel. Poke holes in the potato all over, about 5-6 times with a fork.
- Rub the potato skins with a little olive oil and sprinkle generously all over with kosher salt.
- Set the potatoes on a rack or baking sheet, keeping the potatoes at least an inch apart, and bake for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes, or until easily pierced with a fork. They should reach 210 ̊F in the center on an instant-read thermometer).
- To serve, use a knife to cut a slit down the center of your potato (don’t cut all the way through) and push in the sides of the potato to open up the potato and fluff the center. Add a tablespoon of butter to melt into the center of the hot potato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper or serve with desired toppings.
Best Baked Potato Recipe
The Best Baked Potato has perfectly crispy skin and fluffy insides using just three ingredients. Top with butter, sour cream and your favorite potato fixings for a simple, satisfying and delicious side dish.
Prep: 10min
Total: 70min
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 93 kcal, Fat 10 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 4 large Russett Potatoes (washed)
- 3 Tablespoons Avocado Oil (can substitute another cooking oil)
- 4 tsp Sea Salt
Instruction:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Using a fork, poke 6-10 holes, about a 1/2″ deep, into each potato.
- Put the potatoes into a large ziplock bag with the avocado oil. Seal the bag and roll the potatoes around inside the bag until all the potatoes are covered in oil (Note: if you don’t have a ziplock bag, you can use a large bowl).
- Place potatoes onto a 9″ x 13″ baking dish or cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle sea salt all over each potato, making sure to get the sides, too.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a fork inserted does not stick. Remove from the oven and slice open. Use a fork to lightly fluff the insides and serve warm with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
How to Make the Absolute Best Baked Potatoes
FAQ
Should potatoes be wrapped in foil to bake?
Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400?
What temperature should a baked potato be cooked at?
How long does it take to bake a potato at 400?
