Warm and delicious, nothing says comfort like a classic baked potato. Our simple yet delicious recipe will give you perfectly cooked potatoes every time. With just a few ingredients, you can have this easy meal on the table in no time! You’ll love the crispy skin and fluffy center, perfect for topping with your favorite cheese, sauces, and vegetables.
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Why you’ll love this easy recipe
- Cost-efficient and filling, it’s perfect if you are on a budget.
- You can even cook a baked potato in an air fryer, making it even more cost-efficient!
- A baked potato makes a tasty side dish, or add your favorite toppings for the main course.
- All the ingredients are 100% vegetarian.
Ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need these simple ingredients for this baked potato recipe.
There’s nothing more satisfying than tucking into a baked potato fresh out of the oven; that crispy skin and fluffy inside are just perfect!
How to cook a baked potato in the oven with step-by-step instructions
It’s so easy to bake a potato; just follow our simple instructions.
A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Preheat your oven to 425°F/220°C and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Wash and give your potatoes a good scrub, removing any dirt or eyes, and then pat them dry.
Using a fork, prick holes and pierce evenly around the potatoes, then rub them with olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper.
Place the potatoes on a wire rack on a baking sheet and then bake for approximately 45 – 50 minutes.
When cooked, you should be able to slide a knife into them easily; they will have a crispy exterior and a light and fluffy interior.
Using a sharp knife, cut lengthways down the baked potatoes, and add butter and the toppings of your choice.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe notes and expert tips
- Size matters
Depending on the size of the potatoes, the baking time may vary. - Foil
If you want crispy potato skin, then don’t wrap them in foil. - Got leftovers?
Try making potato skins or southern mash. - Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 3 months.
How to store leftover baked potatoes
Store leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and freeze them by wrapping them in foil and placing them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
You could also turn leftover baked potatoes into potato skins or southern mash.
What toppings go with baked potatoes?
The beauty of a perfect baked potato is that there are so many toppings that are delicious with them.
What potatoes make the best baked potatoes?
Generally speaking, Russet potatoes are the most popular choice when making a classic baked potato, and these are my spud of choice.
These large, brown-skinned tubers have thick skins that crisp up nicely in the oven and fluffy interiors that are perfect for topping with your favorite condiments.
Yukon Gold potatoes are also often used for baking potatoes due to their buttery flavor and creamy texture.
While they may not be quite as fluffy as Russets, Yukon Golds still hold their shape well in an oven and give off plenty of starch for a delicious crispy edge when cooked correctly.
When you can pierce potatoes with a knife, and it slides in easily, or you can use a meat thermometer which will check the internal temperature, so you know if it is properly cooked.Small potatoes will need less time than large ones, so keep an eye on them for perfect potatoes.
If you want a quickly cooked baked potato, then you can wrap them in foil. However, you need to be aware that you will have a softer potato skin in doing so.If you want a crispy exterior, then don’t wrap your potatoes in foil.
More easy potato recipes for you to try
Perfect baked potato recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Russet potatoes medium
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper freshly cracked
- 4 tbsp Butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°f/220°C and place a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Wash the potatoes with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt and then pat them dry. Using a fork, prick holes in your potatoes. then rub them with olive oil, salt and pepper.4 Russet potatoes, 2 tbsp Olive oil, 1 tsp Kosher salt, ½ tsp Black pepper
- Place them in the oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes. To test they are cooked to perfection, slide a knife through the potatoes, they should be nice and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Add butter to each potato and a topping of your choice. They come out perfectly every time, enjoy your baked potatoes!4 tbsp Butter
Notes
Depending on the size of the potatoes, the baking time may vary. Foil
If you want crispy potato skin, don’t wrap them in foil. Got leftovers?
Try making potato skins or southern mash. Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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