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Crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, the most perfect baked potatoes ever! Here’s how you can perfect baking potatoes in the oven.
There’s a baked potato and then there’s the perfect baked potato. Super crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and still steaming when you cut it open! While a potato may seem like a simple vegetable, don’t underestimate how delicious it can be!
Table of Contents
- What Potato Is Best For Baking?
- What You’ll Need To Bake a Potato
- How To Bake a Potato Perfectly
- Do You Have To Scrub a Potato?
- Do You Need To Prick Holes in the Potato Before Baking?
- How to Tell if a Baked Potato is Done
- Do I Have To Wrap My Baked Potatoes in Foil?
- How to Store Leftover Baked Potatoes
- Baked Potatoes Topping Ideas
- What to Eat With Baked Potatoes
- How to Bake the Perfect Potato Recipe
What Potato Is Best For Baking?
The best potato for baking is the russet potato. They are high starch potatoes that handle the heat well. Other potatoes such as Yukon golds have a higher moisture content so they don’t bake as well as the russet.
What You’ll Need To Bake a Potato
The ingredients
Potatoes – try to get russet potatoes that are all around the same time so the cook time can be the same.
Butter or olive oil – to coat the outside of the potato with to ensure the crispiest skin after baking.
Coarse salt – coarse salt is the best for baked potatoes.
The equipment
Fork – to prick holes in the potato with.
Baking sheet – a heavy bottomed rimmed baking sheet is ideal.
Parchment paper or tin foil – to line your baking sheet with.
Wire rack – this is nice to have but isn’t mandatory. It helps the oven air circulate to under the potatoes evenly. If you have one, place it on the sheet pan, if you don’t, it’s ok!
How To Bake a Potato Perfectly
- Preheat the oven to 450 F.
- Prepare the potatoes by scrubbing them, drying them, then pricking holes in them. You can use a knife or a fork.
- Coat the potatoes in olive oil or melted butter and place evenly spaced apart on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the potato with a generous pinch of salt.
- Bake the potatoes for 40 minutes or until you can easily stick a skewer into the middle of the potato. Large potatoes may take up to an hour.
- When done, let it cool enough that you can touch it, slice the potato open lengthwise, and fluff up the insides before serving. You can serve them as is, with some butter, or with toppings of your choice.
Do You Have To Scrub a Potato?
I recommend you scrub your potatoes. As potatoes are sold unpackaged, you never know who has dropped the potato onto the store floor before placing it back into the box! Give the potatoes a good scrub before patting them dry with a towel before cooking.
Do You Need To Prick Holes in the Potato Before Baking?
Did you know that pricking holes in potatoes before baking helps prevent them from exploding inside of your oven!? The holes also allow for the moisture from the potato to leave and result in a lighter, fluffier baked potato. So don’t skip this step!
How to Tell if a Baked Potato is Done
If you can easily stick a skewer into the middle of the potato, it is done baking. The skin should also look wrinkly and if you squeeze it with a pair of tongs, they should give in.
Do I Have To Wrap My Baked Potatoes in Foil?
While there are pre-foil wrapped potatoes for sale for baking, skip wrapping your baked potatoes in foil. The foil will keep the moisture inside the potatoes while they bake in the oven and you won’t get the super crispy skin.
How to Store Leftover Baked Potatoes
Allow them to cool to room temperature and place it in an airtight container (the steam will make the potato soggy if you don’t let it cool). Store in the fridge for 3-5 days.
To reheat leftover potatoes, bake it in a 350F oven until heated through or microwave it in 30 second intervals.
Baked Potatoes Topping Ideas
- Bacon
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Green onions
- Cheddar cheese
- Guacamole
- Broccoli
- Chili
- Baked beans
What to Eat With Baked Potatoes
- Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Chicken Parmesan
- Chili Rubbed Chicken Skewers with Peppers
- Salmon Skewers with Citrus
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How to Bake the Perfect Potato
Ingredients
- 6 large russet potatoes
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450F.
- Scrub the potatoes before drying them and pricking holes in them.
- Coat the potatoes in olive oil or melted butter and place evenly spaced apart on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the potato with a generous pinch of salt.
- Bake the potatoes for 40 minutes or until you can easily stick a skewer into the middle of the potato. Large potatoes may take up to an hour.
- When done, let it cool enough that you can touch it, slice the potato open lengthwise, and fluff up the insides before serving as is or with toppings of your choice.
