Name: How to Bake a Potato
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 potato (per person); 1 teaspoon olive oil (per potato); kosher salt; black pepper, ground

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Want to know the secret to restaurant-style baked potatoes with crispy, salty skin and a fluffy inside? It’s easier than you think! Whether you’re baking Idaho potatoes, cooking at high altitudes, or wondering if you should poke holes before baking, this guide covers it all. By the time you’re done, you’ll be serving up perfect baked potatoes that will steal the show at dinner!

Potatoes—they’re nutritious, delicious, and inexpensive. And as they come from the oven, they’re gluten-free, low-fat, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan.

What’s the Best Potato for Baking?

When it comes to the perfect baked potato, Russet potatoes, often called Idaho potatoes in the U.S., are the gold standard. Why? Their thick skin holds up well during baking, and their starchy insides bake into a fluffy, sweet texture that’s impossible to beat. Whether you’re serving them as a hearty side or a meal on their own, medium to large Russets are your go-to.

Pro Tip: Look for potatoes that are 6 to 8 ounces each—perfect for baking—and check for blemishes or “eyes” that may need trimming. If those eyes are sprouting, just use a paring knife to trim them off, and you’re ready to bake!

How to Bake the Perfect Idaho Baked Potato

So, how do you get those restaurant-quality baked potatoes with crispy skin and a pillowy interior? It’s all about technique.

Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Wash and scrub the potato under running water using a vegetable brush (trust me, you don’t want to skip this step!).
Pat it dry—a wet potato won’t crisp up.
Poke holes in the potato with a fork (more on that in a minute).
Rub the potato with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. This is what gives you that salty, crispy skin that people rave about.
Bake directly on the oven rack for about 60 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes—your potato is done when it’s fork-tender and has an internal temp of around 210°F.

Baking a potato in the oven does take more time than the microwave, but the results cannot be compared. If you want the ultimate baked potato, allow the time to do it right.

OXO Good Grips Vegetable Brush

Should You Poke Holes in Potatoes Before Baking?

Do you really need to poke holes in your potato before baking? In short: Yes! Pricking a few small holes with a fork or knife lets the steam escape and prevents the potato from exploding in your oven. While a potato explosion isn’t as dramatic as it sounds, it does make a mess that you don’t want to deal with.

Plus, those tiny holes won’t ruin the texture or the fluffiness inside. It’s a small step that saves you from potential cleanup later!

Tips for Baking Potatoes at High Altitude

If you live in a high-altitude area (hello, fellow Coloradans!), you know that baking anything up here can be a bit of a challenge. At altitudes over 3,000 feet, the air is drier, and it takes longer for foods to cook because of the lower oxygen levels and reduced atmospheric pressure.

When baking potatoes at high altitude, add an extra 10-15 minutes to your baking time for a medium-sized potato. For larger, jumbo potatoes, you may need to add up to 30 extra minutes! Start checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark, but don’t be surprised if it takes a bit longer.

Pro Tip: A microwave can help speed things up. Pop the potato in the microwave for 3-4 minutes before transferring it to the oven. Just know that you may sacrifice a bit of that coveted crispy skin.

How to Get Crispy Potato Skins Every Time

The secret to crispy potato skins lies in two key factors: oil and salt. After washing and drying your potato, rub it down with olive oil—this helps the skin crisp up in the oven. Then, sprinkle it generously with kosher salt (or sea salt if you prefer). The salt draws out moisture from the skin, leaving it crunchy and irresistible.

Want to level up your potato game? Skip the foil! Foil traps moisture and steams the potato, which results in a softer skin. If you prefer a tender, steamed skin, wrap your potato in foil before baking. But if it’s crispy skin you’re after, bake that potato “naked” directly on the oven rack.

Best Toppings for Baked Potatoes

A perfectly baked potato is like a blank canvas, just waiting for you to add your personal touch. Here are some delicious topping ideas that will take your baked potato from simple side dish to show-stopping meal:

Classic Comfort

Start with the basics: a pat of butter, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of chives. This classic combination never goes out of style and is sure to please everyone at the table. You can even add some shredded cheese for that extra gooey goodness.

Meat Lovers Delight

If you’re craving something heartier, why not load it up with crispy bacon bits and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese? You can also add chili for a cozy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly nights.

Fresh and Healthy

For a lighter option, try topping your baked potato with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and a handful of fresh veggies like diced tomatoes, cucumbers, or even some sautéed spinach. A sprinkle of feta cheese will elevate it even more!

A Touch of Sweetness

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, consider topping your potato with cinnamon and brown sugar, or even some maple syrup and walnuts for a sweet treat. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a potato for breakfast or a unique dessert.

Creative Combos

Don’t be afraid to get creative. How about adding guacamole, salsa, and jalapeños for a fiesta flair? Or you could go for a loaded baked potato bar at your next gathering, letting guests customize their potatoes with a variety of toppings—just like a taco bar, but even more fun!

Baked potatoes are not just a side dish; they can be a filling meal on their own. So grab those potatoes, bake them up, and get ready to create a scrumptious masterpiece.

Final Tips to Perfect Your Baked Potato

Choosing the right size: If you want a side dish, go for a medium-sized potato. For a main course, choose a larger Russet. These potatoes hold toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon beautifully.
Test for doneness: Your potato is ready when it’s fork-tender or when the internal temperature hits 210°F. Use an instant-read thermometer for precision.
Leftovers: Baked potatoes are just as good the next day! Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat them in the oven to regain that crispy skin.

A baked potato may be humble, but when you bake it right, it’s a real showstopper. Whether you’re dealing with altitude issues or trying to get the crispiest skin, these tips will guide you to baked potato perfection every time. Just remember—Russets are your friend, and a little olive oil and salt go a long way!

how to bake a potato idaho salted sitting on countertop

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4.38 from 8 votes

How to Bake a Potato

Potatoes are nutritious, delicious, and inexpensive. As they come from the oven, they're gluten-free, low-fat, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan. Eat them plain or dress them up—there's nothing quite as satisfying as a perfectly oven-baked potato.

Prep Time5

Cook Time1

Total Time1 5

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 159kcal

Ingredients

1 potato per person
1 teaspoon olive oil per potato
kosher salt
black pepper, ground

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 F.
While waiting for the oven to reach temperature, wash the potato, scrubbing it well to remove any sediment and dirt.
With a paring knife, trim away protruding "eyes," and visible blemishes, if any.
Pat potato dry with a cloth or paper towel.
Using a fork, prick the potato all over, to create escapes for steam that will build up as the potato bakes. Failure to do this could create a mess in the oven as the potato will blow off steam breaking through its jacket.
Rub potato with olive oil, making sure it is liberally coated in oil.
Sprinkle oily potato liberally with salt and pepper.
Place potato directly on oven rack that is set to the middle of the oven.
Bake for 60 minutes. After 50 minutes, check for doneness by piercing the potato with a fork. The potato is done when its skin is dry and the inside feels completely soft when pierced, which is approximately 210 F. when using an instant-read food thermometer.
Optional: Serve with butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon bits—all of your favorite toppings.

Notes

1. Russet potatoes, also known in the U.S. as Idaho potatoes, are ideal for baking. Their skin is thicker so they hold up well to baking. Their interior is starchy and sweet, yielding a fluffy, delicious result. You'll find russets from medium in size to jumbo, which makes them ideal as either a side dish or the main course.

2. Potato "eyes" are the buds for roots should that potato be planted for propagation. Sometimes the eyes begin to grow those roots while sitting in the pantry or another cool place. This is not a problem! If they're short and super immature just trim them flat with a paring knife. There is no need to dig out the eyes. If however, they've begun to grow into a tangled mess, that potato is too old for consumption and should be discarded (or planted?)

3. To reduce the baking time, microwave the potato for 3 to 4 minutes, just prior to placing it into the oven. Begin checking for doneness every 20 seconds. Expect a slightly less crisp result.

4. If you prefer a baked potato with a soft, rather than a crisp jacket, wrap it in aluminum foil before baking.

Nutrition

MORE: 4 Easy Ways to Make Perfectly Baked Potatoes

Question: How do you like your baked potato—crispy skin all the way, or soft and wrapped in foil? Share your preference and your favorite toppings below.

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Estelle Chisholm says:

November 22, 2024 at 2:18 pm

I will make the baked potatoes tonight with stuffed pork chops and a salad. But first-—I will make sure there are no green areas showing on the outside of the potato skin. That indicates the presence of a toxin. Cut that area away!! The potato is then ok to bake.

Mary Hunt says:
November 24, 2024 at 7:03 pm

Yes, the green color on raw potatoes can indicate the presence of solanine, a naturally occurring toxin. This green tint develops when potatoes are exposed to light, and it’s often accompanied by higher levels of solanine, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.

The green is caused by chlorophyll, which itself isn’t harmful. However, its presence signals that the potato may also contain elevated levels of solanine. Solanine can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms if ingested in significant amounts.

If only a small area of the potato is green, you can cut it away before cooking. If a large portion is green or the potato tastes bitter, it’s better to discard it.

To prevent potatoes from turning green, store them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Betty Sutton says:

October 10, 2024 at 3:00 am

Used the toaster oven and they came out perfect.

Eileen says:

September 23, 2024 at 7:04 am

In this economy I am looking everywhere for ways to save money. I use my oven as little as possible and definitely not to bake two potatoes for my husband and I. We use the microwave and from my perspective the results are great — fortunately my microwave (which is over 20 years old) has a sensor cook/potatoes setting that works perfectly. Sometimes on larger potatoes or sweet potatoes it takes two times through but I love the results, topped with butter or sour cream it’s great.

Barbara Allen says:

October 7, 2023 at 4:23 am

I am a lover of baked potatoes. Since I don’t always have an hour and am working to keep my sodium and fat intake low, the following recipe is one that fits my time frame and dietary concerns: I choose a medium sized russet potato and scrub it well. I then slice it thin, and place it on a toaster oven cooking spray covered with parchment paper and pre-heated to 425 degrees. I dribble a tablespoon of good olive oil (through a glass eye dropper) all over the potatoes. I sprinkle the potatoes with two teaspoons of Italian seasoning, followed by 1/4 cup shredded, low moisture, part skim mozzarella cheese. I bake them for 30-40 minutes, checking at 30. For people who are okay with added salt, the recipe can be salted before eating. (These can be dipped into low sodium salsa or another savory dip.)

Jill Dunigan says:

February 17, 2023 at 1:46 pm

I put my potatoes on a metal skewer and I brush them with soft salted butter and then I put a bit of coarse sea salt on them and I use a metal rack to keep the skewers from touching the bottom of my cookie sheet. I periodically take them out and rebaste them with butter. The skin is absolutely amazing

Kathy C says:

September 21, 2022 at 1:34 pm

I made this potato recipe last night and it was GREAT. I set it on a piece of foil on a small pan in the center of the oven for no mess cleanup.

Patsy says:

September 20, 2022 at 7:54 pm

Have you given information about the perfect backed potato (or sweet potato) in an AirFryer?

Linda says:

September 20, 2022 at 12:18 pm

Mary, I too use an instant-read thermometer and go for around 210 degrees. Perfect every time!

Cally Ross says:

September 19, 2022 at 7:15 am

I love a good baked potato! your method is mostly how I bake them, I just choose to salt the inside and not the skin so i can eat it too without going over my salt-quota. 😉
I smiled at your description [in Daily EC Email] of fall and the aspen trees, I prefer to think of winter as a “nap” rather than a “funeral” though. a long winter’s nap!
thank you for your wonderful tips, tricks, info and smiles.

Perfect Baked Potatoes: Crispy, Fluffy, and Delicious Every Time

What’s the Best Potato for Baking?

How to Bake the Perfect Idaho Baked Potato

Should You Poke Holes in Potatoes Before Baking?

Tips for Baking Potatoes at High Altitude

How to Get Crispy Potato Skins Every Time