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The perfect baked potato is just a few simple steps away. Follow this easy method and get fluffy, delicious baked potatoes in the oven every time!
Featured with this Recipe
- Baked Potatoes Cooked to Perfection
- Ingredients for the Perfect Baked Potato
- How Long To Bake a Potato
- Ideas for Potato Toppings
- Potatoes are Good For You!
- How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Microwave
- How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Instant Pot
- How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Potato Side Dishes
- How to Make a Perfect Baked Potato
- The Perfect Baked Potato Recipe
Baked Potatoes Cooked to Perfection
This recipe may seem a little basic. However, sometimes it is good to get back to the basics! Not all baked potato recipes are created equal. You know how sometimes when you make homemade baked potatoes they end up kind of gummy? Follow this simple method and never have that problem again! This recipe produces potatoes with crispy, salty outsides and soft, fluffy insides. It is the best baked potato recipe.
Ingredients for the Perfect Baked Potato
- Russet potato
- vegetable oil or canola oil (avoid olive oil – it isn’t the best for high heat)
- Kosher salt
How Long To Bake a Potato
A good rule of thumb is about an hour at 350 degrees for a perfect baked Idaho potato. However, if you’re baking more than four at a time, you’ll need to increase the baking time. I usually increase it by about 15 minutes for every two additional potatoes.
Ideas for Potato Toppings
Now, once you have your Perfect Baked Potatoes, you’re going to need some toppings to go with it! I’ll give you some of my favorite ideas. If you have other ideas let us know in the comments below!
- Simple: butter, salt, pepper, and chives
- Loaded: sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, green onions, salt, and pepper
- Tex Mex: salsa, cheddar cheese, black beans, guacamole and sour cream
- Chili Cheese Potato: chili and cheddar cheese
- Broccoli Cheddar Potato: broccoli and melted cheese
Potatoes are Good For You!
Don’t let the low-carb craze scare you away from a perfect baked potato at dinner. They’re actually very good for you! Here’s why:
- Potatoes have more potassium than a banana.
- They’re high in fiber, so potatoes in your diet can help lower cholesterol. It can also decrease your risk of heart disease.
- Potatoes are also chock full of Vitamin C and Vitamin B6.
- Plus, they’re quite delicious!
How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Microwave
If you are short on time, you can definitely cook a(n almost) perfect baked potato in the microwave. Unfortunately, I can’t promise the same crispy outside and fluffy inside. This is because the microwave will steam the potatoes rather than baking them. First, poke holes all over the potato with a fork. Then, cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 3 more minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes.
How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Instant Pot
Again, if you are in a pinch, the Instant Pot can do the trick! This method is great if you need your oven for another dish. However, this method comes with the same caveat as the microwave method. The texture will not be as perfect as it is from the oven. First, put a cup of water and the trivet into the Instant Pot. Next, poke holes all over the potatoes and place on the trivet. Then, cook on manual on high pressure for 14 minutes. Finally, once the timer goes off, let the pressure naturally release for 20-30 minutes. Then, add your toppings and enjoy your perfect baked potato!
How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Potatoes cooked in the air fryer are fast, crispy, and delicious! See our post for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not at all. Wrapping the potatoes in foil actually steams them instead of baking them. This is because it traps all the moisture inside. You will end up with a soft skin and the inside just won’t be as fluffy. Piercing the skins of the potatoes then rubbing oil and salt on the outside and placing them directly on the oven rack ensures a crispy skin outside and fluffy interior. That is what makes a perfect baked potato! Additionally, make sure you put a baking pan on the rack below the potatoes to catch any drippings.
In our opinion, Russet potatoes make the best baked potatoes. They have thicker skins that crisp up really well in the oven. However, you can also use this method for Yukon Gold potatoes. They have a thinner skin, but they will get nice and fluffy on the inside.
About one hour is a good estimate depending on your oven. You can try piercing the center with a paring knife and if it comes back out easily it is ready.
If you want to make sure that your potatoes are done, you can use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be between 208 and 211 degrees.
Keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can re-heat them or use them for other recipes like Baked Potato Soup, Twice Baked Potatoes, Potato Skins, or Hash Browns.
READ NEXT: Best Potato Recipes
More Potato Side Dishes
Potatoes are so versatile and go well with many meats and vegetables. After you’ve tried our Perfect Baked Potatoes, venture out to our other favorites!
- Pesto Potatoes – These diced potatoes are coated in pesto and roasted to perfection. So easy and packed with flavor!
- Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts – Another easy side dish! The bacon adds a tasty dimension – a must try!
- Roasted Red Caesar Potatoes – Red pepper, Caesar salad dressing, and Parmesan cheese flakes give these potatoes a unique Italian zest.
- Grilled Foil Ranch Potatoes – These potatoes are great in the summer. Throw them on the grill at your next BBQ. The packets can be loaded with bacon, ham, onions, peppers, or cheese. Additionally, the clean-up is so easy!
- Parmesan Baked Potato Halves – This is one of the most popular recipes on our site. The potato halves are cooked in butter and Parmesan cheese giving the potatoes a crispy, flavorful topping.
- More Delicious Potato Recipes – Here is a full list of our most popular potato recipes as chosen by YOU, our readers!
How to Make a Perfect Baked Potato
The Perfect Baked Potato
Video
Ingredients
- 1 large Russet potato
- 1 teaspoon oil vegetable or canola oil
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees and position racks in top and bottom thirds. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with cold water. Dry well. Using a fork, poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the potato.
- Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil.
- Sprinkle with Kosher salt and place potato directly on the rack in the middle of oven. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings.
- Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft. Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the potato open by pushing the ends towards one another. The potato will be hot and steamy, so be careful!
Notes
Recipe Tips
If you’re cooking more than 4 potatoes, you’ll need to extend the cooking time by up to 15 minutes. Now, once you have your Perfect Baked Potatoes, you’re going to need some toppings to go with it! I’ll give you some of my favorite ideas. If you have other ideas let us know in the comments below!- Simple: butter, salt, pepper, and chives
- Loaded: sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, green onions, salt, and pepper
- Tex Mex: salsa, cheddar cheese, black beans, guacamole and sour cream
- Chili Cheese Potato: chili and cheddar cheese
- Broccoli Cheddar Potato: broccoli and melted cheese
Nutrition Information
My family loves the Instant Pot method. I recently cooked 8 russet potatoes (could have fit 2-3 more) in my 6 quart IP for 25 minutes with a 5 minute NPR. I then brush them with Olive Oil and Kosar salt and place in my convection toaster oven at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes to crisp up the skin. Great way to cook up a big batch of baked potatoes.
We definitely bake our potatoes out-in-the-open in an oven, fantastic! (Ever since I discovered (online search) Restaurant Hasselbacken potatoes, I’ve updated my potato prep to include slicing and a “butter bath” for more internal flavor.) We love winter baking, too! Thanks for your great email ideas.