There are several methods to bake a potato, but this is the Perfect Baked Potato Recipe because the potato skin is crispy and the insides are soft and fluffy.
We love to top our potatoes with butter, salt and pepper, as well as my homemade chili for a delicious meal.
We like to have potatoes for dinner once in awhile. It’s a cheap meal, and it can be fun for the kiddos too. We put out all the fixin’s, {chili, cheese, sour cream, green onions, sliced olives, diced tomatoes, etc}and the kids have a blast creating their very own dinner.
How To Bake a Potato
- Try to find potatoes that are similar in size for consistent baking.
- To start off, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Scrub the potatoes under running water to remove all the dirt.
- Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel.
- Using a fork, carefully pierce the potatoes two to three times per side.
How To Get Crispy Skinned Baked Potatoes
Tired of soggy potato skins? DON’T wrap your potatoes in foil when baking, use these simple steps to get crispy skin with a delicious salted crust!
- Brush the whole potato with olive oil. This will make the skins nice and crispy when baked.
- Sprinkle the tops with some sea salt.
- Place them directly on the middle rack of the oven.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a fork is able to pierce the potato with little resistance.
PRO TIP: I like to place a foil lined baking sheet on the shelf underneath the potatoes just in case anything drips off of the potatoes.
Tips For Opening a Baked Potato:
Once the potatoes have cooked, you’ll want to pop them open to enjoy those fluffy insides. To get that restaurant quality baked potato, follow these simple steps!
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Run a knife lengthwise across the salted top, leaving about 1/2 inch on both sides.
- Using both hands, pinch each side of the potato.
- While pinching, push towards the center of the potato, forcing it to open up.
- Keep pushing and squeeze the fluffy insides up. It might take one or two tries, but it will look like one fancy potato once you master this technique!
And there you have it! One crispy-skinned baked potato ready for all the fixin’s!!
What To Serve With Baked Potatoes
Baked Potatoes are a delicious side dish to go along with just about any meal, but here are a few of my favorite main dishes to pair them with.
- Classic Meatloaf
- Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
- Garlic Mushroom Steaks
- The Best Chili (great for topping those potatoes!)
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The Perfect Baked Potato
Ingredients
- 4 Baking Potatoes - make sure they are all similar in size
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt - I prefer to use a coarser sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Scrub the potatoes under running water to remove all the dirt. Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. Using a fork, carefully pierce the potatoes two to three times per side.
- Brush the whole potato with olive oil, then sprinkle the tops with salt.
- Place them directly on the middle rack of the oven. (I like to place a foil lined baking sheet underneath just in case anything drips off of the potatoes) Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a fork is able to pierce the potato with little resistance. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
To Open Potatoes:
- Run a knife lengthwise across the salted top, leaving about 1/2 inch on both sides.
- Using both hands, pinch each side of the potato.
- While pinching, push towards the center of the potato, forcing it to open up. Keep pushing and squeeze the fluffy insides up. Fill with any toppings you would like!
Nutrition
Shawn,
Sorry I misspelled your name! I’m embarrassed.
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Very nice photos and presentation! Thank you for the post.
I make a cut lengthwise like you show and then a cut horizontally (cross-shape) to help the potato open up; then I break up the insides with a fork before adding the seasoning & toppings.
Thanks, who knew?
i love putting brisket or steak with butter, sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, and au jus on my potatoes =)
Yum! That sounds amazing! 🙂
I make a bunch of these for dinner. The extra heat up fast in the microwave in 1 minute and taste almost as good as the first day. Quick lunch for the next few days.
I do it just a little different in that I mix the olive oil and salt (and other spices if desired) in a bowl and then roll the potatoes in the mix, then grill on the BBQ or pop the oven. I also like to microwave the potatoes first, it cuts down the oven time. Been doing this for years, a favourite of mine….