by Holly
Baked Potatoes are easy to make and great served alongside a steak dinner or even grilled pork chops! Potatoes are baked until the skin is crisp, and the insides are soft and fluffy.
Top baked potatoes with your favorite toppings like bacon, sour cream or cheese (or even a scoop of salsa or pulled pork) to create a perfect bite!
What Kind of Potatoes for Baked Potatoes?
Russet potatoes are the most commonly used for making baked potatoes, they have the fluffy starchy texture we love in a baked potato. Truly, red-skinned potatoes, Yukon gold, and purple potatoes are all delicious when baked too although the texture is a bit more buttery.
How To Make A Baked Potato in the Oven
A baked potato is very simple to make, just 3 ingredients needed to get a deliciously crisp skin and a fluffy interior perfect for topping! The classic method of making a perfect baked potato is in the oven (although on a hot summer day, I often cook baked potatoes in the slow cooker).
- WASH: Scrub potatoes to remove any dirt or debris.
- POKE: Poke holes all over the potato using a fork – about 5 to 6 times. This prevents steam from building up inside of the potatoes while they bake. A potato can explode if steam builds up so make sure you poke right into the potato to create holes, not just pierce the skin.
- BAKE: Brush the potatoes with olive oil and salt. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake.
To Foil or Not to Foil?
If you want a softer skin on your baked potatoes, wrap them in foil before they go in the oven. This helps to steam the skin keeping it from crisping up as much (although I prefer the skin to be crispy and skip the foil)!
How Long To Bake A Potato
A baked potato will take 45-60 minutes in the oven. Cooking times can vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the temperature of the oven, so the easiest way to test them is with a fork to make sure they’re soft throughout.
The great thing about baked potatoes is they can be baked at any temperature. If you have other things cooking in the oven, baked potatoes can just be thrown in quickly without too much to worry about.
Cooking Times:
- 350°F 60 to 75 minutes
- 375°F 50 to 60 minutes
- 400°F 40 to 50 minutes
If the temperature is adjusted to match whatever else is cooking, just adjust the cooking time accordingly!
How To Bake A Potato in the Microwave
If you are pressed for time (or coveted oven space), the microwave method will be your savior!
- Scrub the potato and poke it with a fork as above.
- Place it on a plate and microwave it on HIGH for 5 minutes.
- Turn it over, and microwave it for 3-5 minutes longer or until fork-tender. Top and enjoy!
REMINDER: Do not to use foil if you are making baked potatoes in the microwave.
Baked Potato Toppings
Here are some of my favorite baked potato toppings to serve, keep it simple to have the potatoes as a side and choose a heartier topping to make the baked potatoes the main star of your meal. If you’re serving a crowd, create a baked potato bar at home and let everyone top their own!
SIDE DISH TOPPINGS
- Butter, salt & pepper – of course!
- Bacon bits, green onions or chives
- Cheese – cheddar cheese is the best but experiment with your favorites!
- Sour cream or Greek Yogurt
- Salsa & white onions
Make It a Meal
The following toppings turn a simple side dish into a main meal!
- Chili, cheddar and a handful of corn chips
- Taco meat with your fave taco toppings
- Alfredo sauce, steamed broccoli & cheddar cheese
- Beans and wieners or baked beans
- Sloppy Joe meat or leftover pulled pork
- Buffalo Chicken with cheddar and blue cheese
Got Leftovers?
Use the leftovers for Twice Baked Potatoes or Baked Potato Soup (and save the skins for Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins)!
Baked potatoes go perfectly alongside a steak, grilled veggies, and a salad or put everyone’s favorite toppings, and have them dress their own.
Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Scrub potatoes to remove any dirt or debris. Dab dry.
Poke holes over potatoes with a fork in about 5-6 places per potato.
- Coat the outside of each potato with olive oil and salt.
- Place potatoes directly on the middle rack of your oven and bake 50-60 minutes. (I place a small piece of foil on the rack below to catch any drippings).
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
