Baked Potatoes are easy to make and these spuds are perfectly baked until the skin is crisp, and the insides are soft and fluffy.
Below are our best tips to make perfect baked potatoes every time! Top them with whatever you like from sour cream and bacon to butter or cheese!
The Best Potatoes for Baking
Russet potatoes or Idaho potatoes are the best kind of potatoes for baking. They have a fluffy starchy texture with skin that crisps nicely when lightly oiled.
Really, any kind of potato can be baked (red-skinned potatoes, Yukon gold etc,) although the texture of thin-skinned potatoes is more buttery and less starchy/fluffy.
How To Make A Baked Potato in the Oven
A baked potato is very simple to make with just 3 ingredients. The method below ensures crisp skin and a fluffy interior perfect for topping!
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Scrub potatoes under running water to remove any dirt. Poke holes all over the potato using a fork.
- Brush the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt (and a little pepper if you like). The oil helps to make crispy skin and salt adds flavor.
- Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack (no baking sheet needed). Bake for about 40-50 minutes (more on cooking times below).
TATER TIPS
Potatoes are poked with a fork to prevent steam from building up inside of the skins. A potato can explode (and make a big mess of your oven) if steam builds up! Poke each potato about 5-6 times making sure you pierce the skin.
If you want softer skin, wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil before they go in the oven. This helps to steam the skin keeping it from crisping up as much. I prefer crispy skin so I do not wrap them in foil!
How Long to Cook Baked Potatoes
The best baked potato recipe is one that makes baked potato with crisp skin and buttery fluffy flesh. A higher oven temperature is a great way to achieve this. Bake potatoes at 400°F for 45-55 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.
If you have other things cooking in the oven, baked potatoes can just be thrown in quickly without too much fuss.
- 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!
No Oven? No Problem!
If you are pressed for time or oven space, potatoes can be baked in the microwave, Instant Pot, or slow cooker! Keep in mind none of these methods will produce a nice crisp skin as the oven method will.
- Microwave: Cook on high for 5 minutes. Flip potato and cook 5 minutes more. If cooking more than one potato time will need to be increased.
- Instant Pot: Place 1 cup of water in the bottom of the IP and add a trivet/rack. Add potatoes and cook on high pressure for 13-14 minutes for medium-sized potatoes. Increase time by 2 minutes for large potatoes. Quick-release, rest a couple of minutes, and enjoy.
- Slow Cooker: Here is how I cook slow cooker potatoes.
- Air Fryer: Try this air fryer recipe for crispy baked potatoes!
REMINDER: Do not use foil if you are making baked potatoes in the microwave.
How to Serve Baked Potatoes
Top baked potatoes with your favorite toppings like bacon, sour cream, or chives to create a perfect bite! More great ideas:
-
- Chili, cheddar, and a handful of corn chips
- Taco meat with your fave taco toppings
- Alfredo sauce, steamed broccoli & cheddar cheese
- Sloppy Joe meat or leftover pulled pork
- Buffalo Chicken with cheddar and blue cheese
Fun Serving Idea If you’re serving a crowd, create a baked potato bar at home and let everyone top their own!
Got Leftovers?
Use the leftovers for:
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Baked Potato Soup (and save the skins for Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins!)
- Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Baked Potato Soup
Did you enjoy this Baked Potato Recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and a rating below!
How to Make Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°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 45-55 minutes. (I place a small piece of foil on the rack below to catch any drippings).
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- 350°F 60 to 75 minutes
- 375°F 50 to 60 minutes
- 400°F 40 to 50 minutes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
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Simple but excellent recipe–adding salt and pepper to the oil before coating the raw potato does make a difference in flavor. And, it’s good to have the timing variations for baking at different oven temperatures if other foods are in the oven alongside the potatoes.
Can you post the temp the potatoes need to be done? I think it’s 200*, but I’m not sure.
Thanks!
Hi Susan, we usually just test them is with a fork to make sure they’re soft throughout. But the internal temperature is just a bit higher around 210°F to be considered fully cooked.
Fantastic fascinating came out perfect
When making something that needs baked potatoes, I always do a half microwave/half oven method to speed things up a tad! Just poke a few fork holes them, then microwave the potatoes for half the time it would take to completely finish in microwave. Then, I take out the microwave, pour/rub some olive oil and sea salt on them.. and stick in the oven! Slightly quicker way to have done and still get that yummier oven baked taste!!!! FYI- the potato that I scoop out.. I just stick in a ziplock bag and press all the air out of it.. date it, and stick in the fridge or freezer. Anyone can use it for quick and delish mashed potatoes, potato pancakes/fritters, or for a potato soup as mentioned above! Delish recipe!
Ugh!!! Don’t know what I did.. but comment I just posted was missing some. So- Thanks Holly for the recipe and we loved it!!! The above is just a tip for any busy bees out there! Thanks again!!!
Holly, I just love your recipes…..no, let me correct that, my entire family loves your recipes! My parents owned 2 restaurants while I was growing up and whatever baked potatoes were leftover at the end of the night was made into potato salad for the next day. When I make your baked potatoes I usually make extra just for my potato salad the next day. Give it a try, I bet you’ll love it and wanna do that too!
Sounds like such a great idea Debi!
These are truly the best way to bake potatoes. Thanks for the great recipe!
So glad you loved them Tami!
Hi Holly
I’m looking forward to trying all your recipes specially your Baked potato one when I was in the hospital last year my tastebuds was not very good and one Sunday for lunch they served Baked potato soup omg it was so good so the only 2 meals I could taste was pancakes for breakfast and lunch and supper was Baked potato soup and I love it.
Bette Bessette
We love baked potato soup too!! Enjoy the recipes Bette!
Thank you for always having a recipe for my every need! You are the best!!!
Thank you Sarah!!
Hi holly! I have often wanted baked potatoes in a hurry. (If dinner takes more than 20 minutes to make – well forget it). Microwave fits the bill but wait! I love my skins crispy! 4 pierced potatoes in the microwave on a plate placed like spokes of a wheel for ten minutes. I might turn the potatoes end to end after five minutes to help insure even cooking. Finish off in a 350 – 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until potato is soft and skin is crispy. Magic in 20 minutes!
Everything on your website is delicious and these potatoes are no different. This is my go-to site for finding recipes.
I love baked potatoes and this was easy to follow and just like you said.
Thank you!
I’m so glad you loved them Becky, they’re a staple for us too!
Holly molly! Liked cooking times for 3 different temperatures.
Why thank you Neo! Now you can toss them in with so many different recipes!
I’ve found when microwaving potatoes if you want a soft outside use a ziplock bag poke holes in the potatoes after washing put a little water in the baggie and leave a small hole to allow steam to escape so it doesnt sound like a big boom I’m the microwave. Cook 15-20 minutes depending on size and amount you are cooking on the high setting.
Thanks for sharing Kody!
When I microwave mine, I add water to the dish. Perfect everytime.
Thanks for sharing Donna!