There are a few secrets to cooking the perfect oven baked potatoes. You know … a baked potato with pillowy-hot insides, just waiting for melty butter … plus crispy, flavorful skins that you actually want to eat?!

Ready? Here’s how to make baked potatoes!

a fork fluffs up the interior of a perfect baked potato

Table of Contents

The Story Behind the Recipe

It took me a while to figure out how to bake perfect potatoes – with amazing baked potatoes as a result.

And I thought perhaps there are others out there who needed to know what I needed to know: How in the heck do I roast the best baked potato?! One that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside?!

three baked potatoes in a row

I researched questions like:

  • What’s the best oven temp?
  • How long to bake them?
  • Should I make a no foil baked potato or one with foil wrapped around it?

I did a bunch of research and baked up a few test batches, and now I think I’ve got it down!

russet potatoes lined up on a baking sheet ready to bake

Baked Potato Ingredients

  • Russet potatoes: How to choose the best potatoes for PERFECT baked potatoes? Start with a nice, firm (not soft or spongy) russet potato (sometimes called “Idaho potatoes” or “baking potatoes”) with very few blemishes or eyes. If baking more than one potato, try to select potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking.
  • Olive oil – For rubbing on the outside of your potato. That helps to crisp up the skin!
  • Salt – Infuses some flavor into the skin so you can enjoy it as much as you enjoy the pillowy potato interior.
perfect baked potato with fluffy interior and crispy exterior. dotted with butter, chives, salt, and pepper

How to Make Perfect Baked Potatoes

1. Wash It

Hold the potato under water and scrub well with a vegetable brush to clean the skin. Then blot the skin dry with a towel.

A russet potato is being scrubbed under water for baked potatoes.

2. Rub with Olive Oil & Sprinkle with Salt

Rub the entire potato with a drizzle of olive oil and generous pinch of kosher salt. It’s messy business, but your hands will feel so soft afterwards! Bonus.

use a fork to prick holes in your baked potato before baking

3. Prick Your Baked Potato with a Fork

Prick each potato with a fork three or four times to allow steam to escape while baking.

How to Cook Perfect Baked Potatoes

4. Bake!

My favorite temp for cooking baked potatoes is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This way it cooks through but the skin gets crispy … yummm.

Place potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake at 400 degrees until tender. How long to bake potatoes at 400? Usually 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.

How to Cook Perfect Baked Potatoes

5. Check for Doneness

I test to see if they’re done one of two ways:

  1. Inserting a fork into the potato (it’s done if the fork goes in easily) OR
  2. Give the potatoes a quick squeeze (they’ll give easily if they’re done).

Some people wonder what the internal temp should be for a baked potato but I don’t think that’s necessary – just stick a fork in it and, er, you’ll know it’s done.

6. Slice Open ASAP

Remove from the oven and, as soon as you can handle them, slice them down the middle. 

Then place your forefingers and thumbs on the bottom corners (as much as potatoes have corners) and squeeze toward the center. This “fluffs” the insides and keeps moisture from getting trapped inside the skin as the potatoes begin to cool.

three baked potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

How to Top a Baked Potato

Baked potatoes are endlessly versatile! You can keep it simple with a pat of butter, some salt and pepper, and maybe a few snipped chives for some green. Or you can load it on – the more toppings the merrier!

Here are some baked potato topping ideas. Choose a few, or arrange them all and you have the perfect array of baked potato toppings for a potato bar!

  • Butter or vegan butter
  • Sour cream or vegan sour cream
  • Bacon bits or tofu bacon
  • Guacamole
  • Chives
  • Scallions
  • Salt & pepper
  • Sauteed mushrooms
  • Your favorite leftover chili (I happen to have a collection of vegetarian chili recipes that are fabulous!)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese, parmesan, Monterey Jack, or another fave cheese
  • Salsa
  • Steamed or roasted broccoli
two baked potatoes on a white plate with a silver fork

What to Serve with Baked Potatoes

close up of a baked potato with butter

Baked potatoes make the perfect easy and budget-friendly meal – and each baked potato can be customized to individual tastes. Perfect for vegetarians and carnivores living together.

two baked potatoes on a white plate with a silver fork
4.75 from 4 votes

Oven Baked Potato Recipe (Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside)

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Author: Kare
Yield: 4
The perfect baked potato. Crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside. Here are a few key secrets for making it happen!
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Ingredients

  • 4 each russet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or other coarse salt)

Toppings of choice:

  • Butter, vegan butter, sour cream, bacon, chives, scallions, salt, black pepper, sauteed mushrooms, chili, grated cheese, salsa, steamed broccoli, you name it!

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Scrub the potato with water and a vegetable brush until well-cleaned. Blot dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel.
  • Rub the entire potato with olive oil, then sprinkle on some kosher salt and rub that all over the potato as well.
  • Prick each potato with a fork three or four times. This will allow the steam to escape while baking.
  • Place potatoes directly on the oven rack. Bake until potatoes just begin to appear wrinkly and papery on the outside, and when you squeeze the potato, it gives – 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of your potato. Another way to test is to insert a fork into the potato (it’s done if the fork goes in easily).
  • Remove from the oven and, as soon as you can handle them, slice each potato down the middle. Then place your forefinger and thumbs on the bottom ends and squeeze toward the center. This helps to fluff the insides, and helps keep moisture from getting trapped inside the skin as the potatoes begin to cool.
  • Serve warm with butter, sour cream, bacon, chives, scallions, salt, black pepper, sauteed mushrooms, chili, grated cheese, salsa, steamed broccoli, pretty much whatever you want. The perfect meal!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 32kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 291mg, Sugar: 1g

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my baked potato still hard after baking?
A: There are a few things to check. First, is it simply because you haven’t cooked it for long enough? Your baked potato may need to bake for a bit longer. Second, make sure your oven is at the correct temperature (400 degrees Fahrenheit). Next did you prick your potato to allow the steam to escape? That’s important. Did you start with russet potatoes? Those are the best potatoes for baking. Keep in mind that larger potatoes take longer to bake than smaller potatoes.

Q: Should I bake potatoes in foil?
A: I strongly recommend against baking potatoes in the oven in foil. This method will not allow the steam to escape, resulting in a soggy potato.

Q: What is the best potato for baked potatoes?
Good old russet potatoes, also known as Idaho baking potatoes, are the best potato for baking.

Q: Can I freeze baked potatoes?
A: You can, but I don’t recommend it. The taste and texture is just not the same.

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