Excellent baked potatoes with crispy pores and skin and a fluffy buttery inside are a kitchen staple it’s worthwhile to know how you can make. Far out of your common spud, these baked potatoes may be coated in toppings to make a hearty meal or full of butter and cheese for a rare facet dish.
Right here’s the factor about this excellent baked potato recipe. It’s actually not rocket science, studying how you can make baked potatoes within the oven. However, this methodology does create spuds which can be deserving of the label excellent. And, that’s not a phrase I throw round calmly.
This recipe for excellent baked potatoes has been my go-to for years now.
Whether or not I’m utilizing them to make BBQ rooster stuffed baked potatoes for the boys or making a giant, cozy pot of baked potato soup, it all the time begins proper right here. And, I by no means get bored with it.
The Excellent Baked Potato!
For those who’ve tended to shrug off baked potatoes as a boring facet dish, now’s the time to rethink your stance. I assure you these potatoes can change your thoughts. Too typically baked potatoes end up waxy with powerful pores and skin, or else overcooked and mushy. When accomplished proper although? Oh boy. Buckle up, as a result of these are heavenly.
My youngest son was my helper after I first shot a video prepping these potatoes. I nonetheless grin on the reminiscence of his little palms drizzling the oil and sprinkling the salt. Belief me, if a 5 12 months previous can do that, you possibly can too!
Substances and Substitutions
Potatoes – There is just one form of potato in the case of the recipe for one of the best baked potatoes. Russets. All the best way.
Oil – You’re going to wish oil to assist the pores and skin crisp up and get the salt to stay. I favor olive oil. You’ll be able to swap for one more oil with a excessive smoke level, although.
Salt – I all the time use kosher salt. And, this recipe is an effective instance of why. Nice desk salt simply vanishes into the oil. Coarse kosher grains are the place it’s at!
Notes on Gear
- Rimmed baking sheet – There is just one form of baking sheet that has earned my entire hearted belief. I’ve acquired a number of sizes over time, in order that I’m prepared for any process within the oven. They’re sturdy however mild, and the value is correct.
- Fork
- Scrub brush or tough sponge
Methods to Make Baked Potatoes
Preheating the Oven: Crank it to 400°F. Let it preheat when you prep the potatoes.
Scrubbing the Potatoes: Potatoes develop within the floor (stunning, I do know!), and so it’s worthwhile to clear them nicely earlier than the rest.
Drying: After washing the potatoes, I dry them fully. This helps the oil to stay, and retains additional moisture out of the oven.
Poking with a Fork: Stab every potato a number of occasions. You’re making holes for the steam to flee. So, don’t skip this step. We don’t need them to bust open within the oven.
Oiling: I place the potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle every potato with a couple of teaspoon of oil. Then, I simply rub the oil all them over with my palms.
Salting: A sprinkling of salt is the ultimate ingredient earlier than you pop these potatoes within the oven. I’m beneficiant with my salt. Don’t skimp on the flavour.
Baking: Into the oven they go. I discover that an hour is the candy spot, baking potatoes within the oven. Give or take only a few minutes, and also you’ll have potatoes which can be gentle throughout, with crispy skins that make individuals need to rave about them.
Checking for Doneness: For those who’re unsure they’re completed, verify them with a fork. The fork ought to pierce the potato simply and slide proper in. The pores and skin ought to look brown and crisp, not soggy in any respect.
Fluffing: When the potatoes are completed, I pull them from the oven and slice every one down the center. Then, I crack them open and fluff the insides with a fork.
Serving: Prime these excellent baked potatoes with the toppings of your alternative.
Knowledgeable Tip
Can we speak concerning the foil factor for a second? As a result of I really feel fairly strongly about this. Rising up, I assumed you HAD to wrap potatoes in foil earlier than making baked potatoes within the oven. That’s what everybody did, proper? However, foil traps all of the steam in there with the potato, and what you get is principally a steamed potato with unhappy, limp pores and skin. Say goodbye to foil!
Similar Dimension Potatoes – I really feel like a damaged report at this level, however I’m going to say it once more as a result of it issues. Uniform sized objects will typically prepare dinner on the similar time within the oven. For those who put a large russet on the sheet with three smaller ones, there’s going to be an underdone spud at meal time. Spare your self the effort, and ensure you’re selecting potatoes which can be the identical dimension.
Fluff, Fluff, Fluff – PLEASE don’t skip this. I do know it appears minor. However if you slice that potato open, it’s worthwhile to actually work the insides with a fork and push the 2 ends towards one another. Opens the entire thing up. That’s how you find yourself with all these fluffy little pockets that the butter melts into.
Feeding a Crowd – Baked potatoes are my favourite reply to the query of what to feed a crowd with out spending a fortune. They’re economical and everybody simply loves a potato bar. Simply add a second pan into the oven if you happen to want extra russets.
Candy Potatoes Work Too – Considered one of my readers, Charlene, requested if she might use this similar strategy with candy potatoes. YES. Similar oil, similar salt, similar temperature. Simply give them an additional 10 to fifteen minutes within the oven as a result of they are usually a bit denser. You’ll love the crisp skins!
Serving Recommendations
I prefer to pair an ideal baked potato with garlic butter steak bites at our home. It’s like having a steakhouse dinner at house. And, if you happen to haven’t drizzled cowboy butter excessive of a scorching baked potato but? Do it. Quickly. You’ll not be sorry.
For one thing inexperienced on the plate, sauteed broccoli and asparagus is a good alternative. Or, simply set out bowls of toppings and let everybody construct their very own.
Make Forward & Storage
Make Forward: I do that ALL the time. If I’m internet hosting a dinner or prepping for the week, I’ll bake all of the potatoes I would like, allow them to cool on the counter, then stick them within the fridge. Executed. Then when I would like them, it’s only a matter of reheating them and crisping them again up within the oven. Considered one of my readers, Tiffany used this methodology to bake 50 potatoes the day earlier than a workers lunch!
Methods to Retailer: Allow them to cool first. Then I simply wrap every potato individually (or throw all of them in a giant container with a lid, no matter’s simpler). They’ll preserve within the fridge a stable 4 to five days like that. We undergo ours quick, however it’s also possible to freeze them to make them last more.
Methods to Reheat: You need to use the oven or the air fryer. You want that dry warmth to get them to crisp up so that they style such as you simply made them. In a pinch, I’ll use the microwave if I’m in a rush.
Extra Potato Recipes
Continuously Requested Questions
Oh, my gosh. Russet. Arms down! The starch content material is what provides you that fluffy inside, and the thicker pores and skin holds as much as oil and salt in a manner that thinner skinned varieties simply don’t.
No! Please don’t. I do know it’s a typical behavior, however foil traps the steam and steams the potato as a substitute of baking it. Spare your self all that soggy pores and skin with no crunch. Simply put them on the sheet pan with oil and salt and depart them alone.
An hour is my common rule, however it actually is determined by the potato. I’ve had smaller russets end in about 50 minutes. And I’ve had massive ones that wanted nearer to 75. The fork check tells you all the pieces it’s worthwhile to know. If it slides in straightforward? Pull them out.
As many as will slot in your oven. The tactic simply works, whether or not it’s only a few potatoes for dinner otherwise you’re making baked potatoes for a crowd. Simply give them house to breathe on the baking sheets. They shouldn’t be touching or they’ll steam.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes to take away all dust after which rinse and dry completely. Poke a number of holes into every potato with a fork after which place them on a baking sheet.
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Drizzle every potato with about 1 teaspoon of oil. Rub the oil throughout every potato. Generously sprinkle every potato with salt after which place within the oven.
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Bake for simply over an hour, till fork tender. They need to be crisp on the skin and tender inside.
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When the potatoes are completed, take away from the oven and slice every one down the middle and fluff with a fork. Prime every potato with the toppings of your alternative. Get pleasure from!
Energy: 209 kcal | Carbohydrates: 38 g | Protein: 4 g | Fats: 4 g | Sodium: 785 mg | Potassium: 888 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin C: 12.1 mg | Calcium: 28 mg | Iron: 1.8 mg
Diet info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
{initially revealed 4/24/19 – recipe notes and pictures up to date 4/22/26}
