Baked potato in the oven looks like a straightforward task. If you’ve ever had a baked potato that was too dry or under-baked, you probably know how important it is to learn how to cook perfectly every time.
A well-cooked potato has a crisp exterior and tender, yet not too charred interior. This simple baked potato in the oven recipe gives you the exact results you’re looking for with a few tricks.
The Best Potato For Baked Potato In Oven
Russet potatoes sometimes called “Idaho Potatoes” are the best type of baked potatoes. These potatoes have a thick outer skin that becomes crispy in the oven. Russets also have high starch levels, which makes them dry and fluffy inside.
What Temperatures Are For Baked Potatoes?
You can bake potatoes at any temperature you like, 350degF to 400degF or anywhere in between. We have tested many recipes and came up with the recommendation of a hot, 450degF oven. This gives the potatoes a soft, dry interior and crispy skin.
Do I Need A Foil Wrap For The Potatoes?
No, you do NOT need to wrap your potatoes in foil. To create a crispy exterior, let the potato skin dehydrate in the oven. The potatoes will have soft and tender skin if wrapped in foil.
Baked Potato Ingredients
This is just an overview of the ingredients necessary to create the best-baked potato recipe.
- Russet potatoes: These potatoes, which have a high starch count, are dry and fluffy when baked.
- Kosher and warm salt: before the baking season the potatoes, dipping them in salt water gives them great flavor. It also helps them dry out and crisp up in the oven.
- Vegetable olive oil: brush the potatoes once they are done baking, and then put them back into the oven for about 10 more minutes. This crisps the skin and helps to avoid charring over a longer time.
How To Bake A Potato?
These are the steps involved in making the perfect baked potato.
- Prepare Potatoes. To dry the potatoes, scrub them well with a fork. With a fork, poke holes in the potato in 3-4 places.
- Dip in Salt Water. First, heat the water to dissolve the salt. Then dip each potato in salt water. Place on a wire rack over a parchment-covered baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake the potatoes for approximately 45 minutes to an hour in a 450degF preheated oven, depending on the size and shape of your potatoes.
- Brush with Oil. Apply vegetable oil to the potatoes and continue baking for another 10 minutes. This allows the skin’s surface to crisp up in the oven.
- Prepare the toppings.
Baked Potato Toppings
A loaded baked potato is a favorite of mine. You can add these toppings to your baked potatoes:
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Sour cream
- Crispy chopped bacon
- Grated cheddar cheese
- You can chop fresh chives, mince fresh parsley, and thinly slice green onions.
- Chili cheese
- Taco meats, seasoned black bean, guacamole with sour cream, cheese, and salsa
