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How to make the perfect baked potato with golden, crispy outsides and fluffy, tender insides. An easy, classic side dish ready in about 1 hour.
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There’s something special about a perfectly baked potato—golden and crisp on the outside, tender and fluffy on the inside. Whether you’re enjoying it as a simple side dish or loading it up for a hearty dinner, a baked potato is a timeless choice that always hits the spot.
We’ll show you how to achieve that perfect balance of thin, crispy skin and tender, melt-in-your-mouth potato. And the best part? It’s an easy process that takes just about an hour.
Ingredient Notes
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need. Read on for a few notes.
- Potatoes – medium to large russet potatoes. Russets are great for baking because they have a fluffy inside and a skin that crisps up nicely.
- Oil – olive oil or substitute it with your favorite cooking oil, like vegetable or canola oil.
- Salt – coarse sea salt or kosher salt.
Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper sheets
- Oil sprayer *one of our favorite cooking tools* or basting brush
- Fork and knife
- Serving plates and utensils
Let’s Make the Best Baked Potatoes
Follow the simple steps below to make this delicious side dish.
1
PREHEAT THE OVEN.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
2
Wash & Arrange Potatoes.
Wash the potatoes and arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Note: You can also place the potatoes directly on the baking rack in the oven; we like using a baking sheet to contain any mess from the oil and salt.
3
Poke with a fork.
Use a fork to poke holes into each potato—4 or 5 times on each side. (This releases steam and prevents them from bursting.)
4
Coat with Oil.
Using a basting brush or oil sprayer, coat the potatoes on each side. (We love our olive oil sprayer–check it out here.)
5
Sprinkle with salt.
Generously sprinkle each potato with kosher salt or coarse sea salt.
6
Bake until Tender.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a fork or a knife easily pierces the center of the potato.
According to the Idaho Potato Commission, baked potatoes are done when they reach an internal temperature of 210°F.
7
Slice open, Mash & Enjoy!
Remove from the oven, slice each potato open and mash the insides slightly. Enjoy with your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, golden skin: Get that perfect, thin, crispy (not hard and crunchy) exterior every time.
- Fluffy, tender inside: Enjoy a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture with every bite.
- Simple & quick: Ready in about 1 hour with just a few basic ingredients.
- Customizable: load with your favorite toppings. Here is a list of delicious ideas. **coming soon**
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about making the perfect baked potatoes in the oven.
Can I bake potatoes in advance?
Yes, you can bake potatoes ahead of time! Simply bake them, let them cool, and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to restore the crispy skin.
How do I know when my baked potato is done?
The potato is done when the skin is golden, and a fork or knife easily slides into the center.
Can I use any type of potato for baking?
Russet potatoes are the best choice for baking because of their fluffy texture and thick skin, but other types like Yukon Gold can work as well if you prefer a creamier inside.
Perfect Baked Potato
The perfect baked potato with thin, crispy outsides and fluffy, tender insides. An easy, classic side dish ready in about 1 hour.
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 medium to large russet potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt, coarse
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 425°F.
- Prepare potatoes: Wash the potatoes and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Poke holes: Using a fork, poke holes in each side of the potatoes, 4-5 times.
- Apply olive oil: Spray or brush olive oil onto both sides of the potatoes.
- Sprinkle with salt: Generously sprinkle both sides with salt.
- Bake: Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender (when a fork or knife easily pierces to the center of the potato).
- Cut and serve: Remove from the oven, slice open, and add your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Cook time: if you are making more than 4 potatoes, the cook time will be the same as long as the pan is not overcrowded.
- Baking directly on rack: You can also place the potatoes directly on the baking rack in the oven; we like using a baking sheet with parchment to contain any mess from the oil and salt.
- More on doneness: According to the Idaho Potato Commission, baked potatoes are done when they reach an internal temperature of 210°F.
- Toppings: find so many delicious baking potato topping ideas here. **coming soon**
- Storage: Store leftover potatoes in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 potato
- Calories: 228
- Sugar: 1.3 g
- Sodium: 592 mg
- Fat: 7.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38.5 g
- Protein: 4.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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Have You Tried This Recipe? Please rate it in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
