Baked Potato Recipe

There aren’t many things better than a perfect Baked Potato, especially when it’s a salt-crusted potato. This is my go-to method for baking potatoes with a crisp, salty skin and a tender, fluffy center.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Perfect Baked PotatoesMy family loves baked potatoes and the cooking method depends on how many people I’m serving. When I need a quick, small batch for my family of 4, I make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or Instant Pot Baked Potatoes. When I’m serving a bigger crowd, or am building a potato bar, the best way to make baked potatoes is in the oven because you can cook a bunch of them at once.
My simple method for baking a potato in the oven never fails. These salt-crusted baked potatoes have crisp and flavorful skins and hot and fluffy centers. I love serving these as a side dish with plenty of salted butter and a generous dollop of sour cream or loaded up with hearty toppings like Slow Cooker Chili to make it a meal.
Ingredients for Baked PotatoesBelow are the ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect baked potatoes. You’ll find the full recipe details in the recipe card below.

Potatoes – Russet potatoes are best because they have a high starch and low moisture content so they bake up light, fluffy and tender. If you’re looking for an alternative, I’d recommend a Baked Sweet Potato. Use potatoes that are roughly the same size so they bake evenly. 

Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil gets the outsides of the potatoes extra crispy in high heat.

Salt – You’ll sprinkle the outside of your potatoes with kosher salt or flaky sea salt prior to baking. You’ll also need additional salt and pepper for seasoning to taste.

Butter – Butter makes everything better! You can use salted or unsalted butter. How to Bake Potatoes in the OvenHere’s how easy it is to make a hot, crispy, and fluffy oven-baked potato:

Prep – Give the potatoes a good rinse and a scrub before you start, then dry them well so they crisp up nicely in the oven. Use a fork to pierce the potato all over, about 6 times.

Rub the outside of the potatoes with a bit of olive oil and coat them generously with salt (the oil helps the salt stick).

Bake directly on a rack for the crispiest skins or use a baking sheet at 425ºF for 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.

Serve – Cut the potatoes and fluff the centers then add a pat of butter and for extra flavor, I like to season the potato flesh with salt and pepper then add my favorite toppings (see my list of favorite toppings below). Natasha’s Pro Tip:To avoid exploding potatoes, remember to pierce the potatoes all over with the tines of a fork so that the steam can escape. If you don’t, pressure will build up and cause them to burst. I poke them evenly all around, about 6 time.
Should baked potatoes be wrapped in foil?Unless you’re cooking potatoes over a camp fire, you should not wrap baked potatoes in foil. Wrapping in foil will make the skins soft and soggy instead of crisp. The best way to get crispy skins is to bake potatoes evenly spaced on a baking sheet or rack (without foil), to allow for airflow.
How do I know when a baked potato is done?Your potatoes are baked when they can be easily pierced with a fork, and the internal temperature reaches 210ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
How to Cut a Baked Potato

Using a sharp paring knife, cut a slit down the middle of the potato (but not all the way through)

Gently press the ends of the potato to open it up. Use a fork to fluff the center. This lets steam escape and keeps the potatoes fluffy.Classic Baked Potato ToppingsThese potatoes are delicious as is, and you can never go wrong with a little butter on a hot-from-the-oven baked potato. If you’d like to kick the toppings up a notch, try these easy ideas:

Sour Cream – Along with butter, sour cream is another favorite potato topping.

Cheese – My favorites are shredded Mexican cheese or grated cheddar cheese.

Bacon – Either cooked and crumbled Air Fryer Bacon or Baked Bacon.

Chives – Or green onions, to garnish.

Chili – Topping with my Chili Recipe is a comforting combination.Serve Baked Potatoes WithIf you’re serving baked potatoes on the side, they pair well with nearly any protein or veggies. These are some of our favorites:

Beef – try Pan-Seared Steak, or Grilled Steak. Meatloaf is also a family favorite!

Chicken – pair with Spatchcock Chicken or juicy Baked Chicken Breast.

Vegetables – Serve as a side with Roasted Broccoli or Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Fresh Salads – Caesar Salad, Maroulosalata and Coleslaw Make-Ahead TipsBaked potatoes are always at their best when enjoyed right away, but if you need to, storing and reheating is a breeze. Here’s how to do it right!

To keep your potatoes warm: place baked potatoes on the oven racks in a 200˚F hot oven to keep them hot and crisp for up to 1 hour. You can also set them in a slow cooker on the lowest heat or ‘keep warm’ setting.

To Store: Allow potatoes to cool completely, and then cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.

Reheating: Reheat baked potatoes uncovered in the oven at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes to crisp the skins up again. You can also reheat potatoes in the air fryer until warmed through. I don’t recommend the microwave because it messes up their texture. Ways to Use Leftover Baked PotatoesOne more thing I love about potatoes is that they’re the best for leftovers – we never run out of ways to use up leftover baked potatoes in our house:

Twice-Baked – mash the centers then bake them again, this time topped with cheese and bacon.

Potato Wedges – Cut potatoes into wedges, brush with oil or melted butter, season with salt and pepper, and air fry at 400ºF for 10-15 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.

Potato Salad – Scoop out the flesh from the potato skins and dice for a Creamy Potato Salad or Smashed Potato Salad.

Gnocchi – grate peeled potatoes or use a potato ricer to make homemade gnocchi.Once you’ve tried this method for baking a potato in the oven, you’ll discover the difference between a good baked potato and a GREAT one. You’ll love the salty, crispy skins, and how the creamy centers of these potatoes just melt in your mouth. I can’t wait to hear what you think!


[圖擷取自網路，如有疑問請私訊]

本篇	不想錯過? 請追蹤FB專頁!

喜歡這篇嗎？快分享吧！