It took me a while to figure out how to bake a potato in the oven – with amazing bake 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 cook the best baked potato?! One that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside?!
What’s the best oven temp? And how long to bake them? I did a bunch of research and baked up a few test batches, and now I think I’ve got it down!

It’s definitely not as simple as giving a potato a rinse and slapping it in the oven. There are a few secrets to cooking the perfect baked potato. Baked potatoes with pillowy-hot insides just waiting for melty butter and crispy, flavorful skins that you actually want to eat. Ready? Here’s …
How to Make Perfect Baked Potatoes in the Oven

Table of Contents
- Step 1: Choosing Your Potatoes
- Step 2: Wash Your Potatoes
- Step 3: Rub and Salt
- Step 4: Prick It, Prick It Good
- Step 5: Bake Your Potatoes
- Step 6: Slice It Open ASAP
- Step 7: Top and Devour!
Step 1: Choosing Your 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.
Step 2: Wash Your Potatoes
Hold the potato under water and scrub well with a vegetable brush to clean the skin. Blot dry with a towel.

Step 3: Rub & 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.


Step 4: Prick Them
Prick each potato with a fork three or four times to allow steam to escape while baking.

Step 5: Bake Potatoes in Oven
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 do you know when a baked potato is done?
I test to see if they’re done one of two ways:
- Inserting a fork into the potato (it’s done if the fork goes in easily) OR
- 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.

Step 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.

Try to imagine both hands squeezing here – I had to take the photo with my other hand!

Step 7: Top and Devour!
That’s it! Serve warm with butter, vegan butter, sour cream, bacon, chives, scallions, salt, black pepper, sauteed mushrooms, chili, grated cheese, salsa, steamed broccoli, pretty much whatever you want. The perfect easy meal – and each potato can be endlessly customizable. Perfect for vegetarians and carnivores living together.


How to Bake a Potato in the Oven for Perfect Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
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!
I spent a good 40 minutes laughing at the comments on the recipe for ice cubes. But, in other news, great post about potatoes! I have no idea why the pinching part never occurred to me…
Thanks, Taylor! Yes, the comments are the best part!
Properly baked potatoes are an art! I have one additional tip that I picked up in the restaurant business: instead of slicing the potato open, prick an X pattern on the potato with a fork…then squeeze. It’s almost as if the potatoes are mashed inside!
Hey Beth, that’s a terrific idea – thank you for sharing!
I stumbled across this and chose it over F-Network’s. Thank you for sharing some simple, yet easily fumbled.
Pingback: Wintery Dinner for Six - From My Dining Table
Pingback: Marquis Round Rock Apartments - Round Rock, TX - 6 Easy Steps Toward the Perfectly Prepared Baked Potato
Pingback: Amberleigh Apartments - Fairfax, VA - 6 Easy Steps Toward the Perfectly Prepared Baked Potato
No reason to use kosher salt. regular salt is just fine, if your religious beliefs allow it.
Yep. No religious beliefs in that regard here; I just prefer kosher because it’s coarser and has a milder taste. 🙂 Usually if you’re subbing table salt for kosher you’ll want to use a lighter hand, as well.
These are the best baked potatoes I have EVER had as they came out PERFECT with your recipe!! Thank you!!
I’m bookmarking this! Great layout, pics and steps are easy and to the point! Thanks, I cannot wait to make them!
Thank you, Lisa! 😀
Made these. Wow. The best yet! Thanks.
I followed the recipe exactly and they were perfect! My husband is a hard one to please and I thought they were excellent! Thank you!
Yay! Glad you liked them. 🙂
yes best potato ever , soft and fluffy , my husband said they were perfect— he loves ranch dressing on his
How long should I bake for 16 potatoes. Also I’ve only baked with aluminum foil wrapped around them. What’s the difference, just crispness of skin or would mine cook faster wrapped.
thank you for giving me wonderful information
Thank you!
Simply savory delicious! Like right of the grill!
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
it truly was the best baked potato ever cooked 50 minutes
Came out great! I had sour cream, chives, butter, bacon bits to stuff. Lotsa compliments!
“Fluffing “ the potato is a great idea, but wait until they have cooled!!