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.
Best Baked Potato
Learn how to make the PERFECT baked potato with this foolproof recipe! These baked potatoes are tender and fluffy on the inside, and wonderfully crisp on the outside. Stuff them with your favorite fillings and enjoy! Recipe yields as many baked potatoes as you’d like, though if you make more than 4 at a time you will need a bit more butter or oil and they might need a little longer in the oven.
Prep: 10min
Total: 1h5min
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1 baked potato, no additional toppings
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 baked potato, no additional toppings, calories 194 calories, Sugar 1.3 g, Sodium 88.5 mg, Fat 3 g, Saturated Fat 1.8 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 38.5 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 4.6 g, Cholesterol 7.6 mg
Ingredients:
- 1 to 4 medium Russet potatoes (7 to 9 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or extra-virgin olive oil
- Flaky sea salt or kosher salt, for sprinkling
- Desired toppings, such as sour cream, butter, chives, salt and pepper
Instruction:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the middle of the oven. Place an oven-safe steel cooling rack in a large rimmed baking sheet, and set it aside on your countertop. Or, you can bake the potatoes directly on your middle oven rack, in which case, place a rimmed baking sheet on a lower rack now to catch any drips.
- To prepare your potatoes, scrub them clean with a vegetable brush under running water. Prick your potatoes with a fork, about 1/4-inch deep, six to eight times per potato.
- Place your potatoes on the prepared cooling rack/baking sheet setup, or place them directly on the middle oven rack. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour (longer if necessary), until a skewer or fork slides easily into the center of the largest potato.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and brush each one lightly with butter all over. Sprinkle each one lightly with salt all over.
- For ultra crispy skin, raise your middle rack up a level or two higher before putting the potatoes back in the oven. For nicely crisp skin, leave it where it is. Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven. Using a paring knife, promptly cut two slits across the top of each potato to form an “X” shape. Using a clean dish towel to protect your hands, gently push both ends of the potato toward the center until the flesh of the potato ribbons up and out.
- Add any desired toppings, and serve immediately.
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.
How to Make the Absolute Best Baked Potatoes
FAQ
Is it better to bake a potato in foil or not?
How do most restaurants bake potatoes?
What temperature is best for baking potatoes?
