A simple fool-proof method for baking potatoes so you can make them right every time.
Baked potatoes make a great side dish to many main meals, but they’re often overlooked because a lot of people aren’t sure how to cook them properly.
There are plenty of way to cook a potato: air fryer, oven, grill, but today I’m sharing my simple, no-fail oven baked potato recipe using just 3 basic ingredients.
This isn’t the foil wrapped method. It’s even easier: poke, oil, salt, bake. A few simple steps that give you crispy skin and fluffy insides every time. This is my tried and true method that I use again and again.
I’ll walk you through the best oven temperature, exactly how long to bake a potato, and plenty of baked potato topping ideas so you can confidently make perfect baked potatoes more often.
If you love this baked potato recipe, pair it with one of my main dishes like bacon mushroom pork chops or swiss steak for an easy comforting meal.
Jump to:
Oven Baked Potato Ingredients
- Potatoes: Russets potatoes are the best choice for baked potatoes. They have thick skins, fluffy interiors and plenty of room for toppings.
- Oil: Regular olive oil (not extra-virgin) or avocado oil works best for crisping the skin.
- Kosher salt: Coarse adds crunch and flavor. Flavored kosher salts work great too.
How to Bake a Potato
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- Scrub the potatoes clean and pat dry.
- Pierce each potato several times with a fork.
- Rub potatoes all over with oil, then sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
- Place potatoes directly on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 50 - 60 minutes, until the skin is crisp and a fork slides easily into the center.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes, slice open, fluff the inside with a fork and add your favorite toppings.
Baked Potato Topping Ideas
- Butter & sour cream
- Shredded cheese (your favorite cheese or combination)
- Bacon bits
- Chives or green onions
- Chili
- Broccoli & cheese
- Ranch dressing
Helpful Tips
- Don’t wrap potatoes in foil, this steams them instead of crisping the skin.
- Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before oiling.
- Use enough salt to coat the skin for flavor and crunch.
- For extra fluffy inside, use a towel to handle the hot potato and gently squeeze the ends after baking to open it up.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat:
- Oven: 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes
- Air Fryer: 375 degrees F for 5-7 minutes
- Microwave: 1-2 minutes (skin will be softer)
Frequently Asked Questions
Not using enough oil is the most common reason. Make sure the potatoes are fully coated in oil before baking.
Medium to large russet potatoes bake evenly and have the best texture.
Recipe
Baked Potato Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes scrubbed and pat dry
- 2 tbsp olive oil for rubbing
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- Scrub the potatoes clean and pat dry. Pierce each potato several times with a fork.
- Rub potatoes all over with oil, then sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
- Place potatoes directly on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 50 - 60 minutes, until the skin is crisp and a fork slides easily into the center.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes, slice open, fluff the inside with a fork and add your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Leave a Reply