Good baked potatoes with crispy pores and skin and a fluffy buttery inside are a kitchen staple you have to know how one 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 unprecedented aspect dish.
Right here’s the factor about this good baked potato recipe. It’s actually not rocket science, studying how one can make baked potatoes within the oven. However, this technique does create spuds which can be deserving of the label good. And, that’s not a phrase I throw round flippantly.
This recipe for good baked potatoes has been my go-to for years now.
Whether or not I’m utilizing them to make BBQ chicken stuffed baked potatoes for the boys or making an enormous, cozy pot of baked potato soup, it all the time begins proper right here. And, I by no means get uninterested in it.
The Good Baked Potato!
Should you’ve tended to shrug off baked potatoes as a boring aspect dish, now’s the time to rethink your stance. I assure you these potatoes can change your thoughts. Too usually baked potatoes prove waxy with robust 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 yr previous can do that, you’ll be able to too!
Substances and Substitutions
Potatoes – There is just one type of potato with regards to the recipe for the perfect baked potatoes. Russets. All the way in which.
Oil – You’re going to wish oil to assist the pores and skin crisp up and get the salt to stay. I desire 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. Effective 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 type of baking sheet that has earned my entire hearted belief. I’ve acquired a number of sizes through the years, in order that I’m prepared for any activity within the oven. They’re sturdy however mild, and the worth is correct.
- Fork
- Scrub brush or tough sponge
Learn how to Make Baked Potatoes
Preheating the Oven: Crank it to 400°F. Let it preheat whilst you prep the potatoes.
Scrubbing the Potatoes: Potatoes develop within the floor (surprising, I do know!), and so you have to clear them properly earlier than anything.
Drying: After washing the potatoes, I dry them utterly. This helps the oil to stay, and retains additional moisture out of the oven.
Poking with a Fork: Stab every potato a number of instances. 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 few 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 just some minutes, and also you’ll have potatoes which can be comfortable during, with crispy skins that make individuals need to rave about them.
Checking for Doneness: Should you’re unsure they’re completed, examine 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 each down the center. Then, I crack them open and fluff the insides with a fork.
Serving: Prime these good baked potatoes with the toppings of your alternative.
Skilled Tip
Can we speak in regards to 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 gadgets will usually prepare dinner on the identical time within the oven. Should you 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 be sure 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, you have 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 in case you want extra russets.
Candy Potatoes Work Too – One in every of my readers, Charlene, requested if she might use this identical strategy with candy potatoes. YES. Similar oil, identical salt, identical temperature. Simply give them an additional 10 to fifteen minutes within the oven as a result of they are typically a bit denser. You’ll love the crisp skins!
Serving Strategies
I prefer to pair an ideal baked potato with garlic butter steak bites at our home. It’s like having a steakhouse dinner at residence. And, in case you 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 want, allow them to cool on the counter, then stick them within the fridge. Completed. Then when I want them, it’s only a matter of reheating them and crisping them again up within the oven. One in every of my readers, Tiffany used this technique to bake 50 potatoes the day earlier than a employees lunch!
Learn how to Retailer: Allow them to cool first. Then I simply wrap every potato individually (or throw all of them in an enormous container with a lid, no matter’s simpler). They’ll hold within the fridge a strong 4 to five days like that. We undergo ours quick, however you may as well freeze them to make them last more.
Learn how to Reheat: You need to use the oven or the air fryer. You want that dry warmth to get them to crisp up in order 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 approach 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 normal rule, however it actually is dependent upon 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 every little thing you have to know. If it slides in simple? Pull them out.
As many as will slot in your oven. The strategy simply works, whether or not it’s just some potatoes for dinner otherwise you’re making baked potatoes for a crowd. Simply give them area 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 grime after which rinse and dry totally. 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 surface and tender inside.
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When the potatoes are completed, take away from the oven and slice each down the middle and fluff with a fork. Prime every potato with the toppings of your alternative. Take pleasure in!
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 data is routinely 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}
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