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Learn how to make the perfect baked potato every time. Flavorful, crispy skin and pillowy soft on the inside– it’s the only baked potato recipe you’ll ever need! Add your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon pieces, and more!
There’s something special about baked potatoes: a classic side dish perfect for any time of year that caters to just about anyone with its endless topping options. Not to mention, a perfectly cooked baked potato is hard to beat— seasoned crispy skin on the outside while soft and fluffy on the inside.
The Best Baked Potato Recipe
- Baked to perfection– crispy skin, soft and fluffy inside
- Only 5 basic ingredients needed
- An easy, mainly hands off recipe– let the oven do the work for you
- The perfect base for endless toppings
You Only Need 5 Ingredients
- Potatoes: You need 4-5 medium-sized Russet potatoes, about 2-3 pounds. You want to make sure you scrub the potatoes clean of any dirt.
- Olive Oil: Coating the potatoes in olive oil helps crisp up the skin while it bakes.
- Salt & Pepper: Both for essential flavor. Just like pasta, potatoes NEED salt, otherwise they will taste very bland.
- Butter: For added flavor, the potatoes are brushed with melted butter.
Overview: How To Make Baked Potatoes
The full detailed printable recipe is below, but let’s walk through the steps.
- Prep the Potatoes: Before getting started, make sure you wash the potatoes to get rid of any dirt. Then, using a fork, poke all around the potato, about 5-6 times.
- Season the Potatoes: Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub the potatoes with the olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, making sure the potatoes are completely coated.
- Bake the Potatoes: Bake for 40 minutes, remove from the oven, flip and brush the potatoes with melted butter. Then, bake for an additional 20 minutes until fork tender and the skin is crispy.
- Serve: Let the potatoes cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Slice halfway through the potato lengthwise, pushing on the ends to open it up. Serve with desired toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon pieces, etc.
#1 Trick: Make Baked Potatoes FAST
While this recipe for baked potatoes is easy and mainly hands off, not everyone has an hour to make them. Sometimes you just need dinner QUICK. Here’s how to do it:
- Slice & Prep the Potatoes: After washing the potatoes, slice the potatoes lengthwise in half. Then, using a fork, poke all around the potato on the skin side only, about 2-3 times
- Season the Potatoes: Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub the potatoes with the olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, making sure the potatoes are completely coated (including the cut side.) Set the potatoes skin side up on the baking sheet so the flat side is down.
- Bake the Potatoes: Bake for 20 minutes, remove from the oven, and brush the potato skins with melted butter. Then, bake for an additional 10 minutes until fork tender and the skin is crispy.
- Serve: Let the potatoes cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Flip the potatoes over and push on the ends to break apart the potato. Serve with desired toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon pieces, etc.
Topping Variations
The most fun part about baked potatoes is the toppings, there’s so many options– from classic, to loaded, or make-your-own! Here’s some favorite topping variations that we love.
- Simple & Classic Baked Potato: Top with butter and green onion.
- Loaded Baked Potato: Top with shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream and green onions.
- Chili Baked Potato: Top with homemade traditional chili or vegetarian chili, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions.
- Broccoli & Cheese Baked Potato: Top with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped broccoli. You can also place this under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
- Breakfast Baked Potato: Top with scrambled or over-easy eggs, bacon or sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, and hot sauce.
FAQ About Oven Baked Potatoes
Should you wrap baked potatoes in foil?
That depends on how you want the skin to be. For crispy skin, you want the potato skin exposed so it’s gets crispy. If you wrap the potato in foil it will be soft.
Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400?
The higher the temperature, the less time it will take to bake the potato and the crispier the skin will be.
Should I poke holes in potatoes before baking?
Many like to debate this, and while I recommend it, it’s not for the reason that most do. Most say that if you don’t poke the potatoes, the steam will build up and the potato will burst (though I’ve never had that happen.) The reason why I do this is for the heat (and some of the olive oil and butter) to easily get under the skin, creating a crisper skin.
Can you make baked sweet potatoes with the same method?
Absolutely. The bake time will likely vary, so check progress around the 40 minute mark.
How long to cook baked potatoes in the oven?
This depends on the oven temperature. At 450ºF, about 60 minutes, adding 15 minutes when you decrease by 25ºF.
How to make a baked potato in the microwave?
While you can make baked potatoes in the microwave, you don’t get nearly the same results. However, the best way to do this is to poke holes all over the potato, place in a shallow bowl and place a plate on top. Microwave on high for 5-8 minutes until fork tender.
Serve Baked Potatoes With:
Perfect Baked Potato
Learn how to make the perfect baked potato every time. Flavorful, crispy skin and pillowy soft on the inside– it’s the only baked potato recipe you’ll ever need! Add your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, scallions, bacon pieces, and more!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 potatoes
- Category: Sides
- Method: Oven
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- Using a fork, poke all around potato, about 5-6 times. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet. Rub the potatoes with the olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, making sure the potatoes are completely coated.
- Bake for 40 minutes, remove from the oven, flip the potatoes and brush with melted butter. Then, bake for an additional 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender and the skin is crispy. The total baking time is 60 minutes.
- Let the potatoes cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Using a knife, slice halfway through the potato lengthwise and push in on the ends to open it up.
- Serve immediately with desired toppings. Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: The potatoes can be tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper up to 2 days in advance stored in the refrigerator. Cooked baked potatoes can be made up to 2 days in advance and reheated in the oven at 450ºF for 20-25 minutes, brushing with butter at the 15 minute mark, until heated through.
- Freezing Instructions: The potatoes can be frozen for up to 3 months stored in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 450ºF for 20-25 minutes, brushing with butter at the 15 minute mark, until heated through.
- Potatoes: The potatoes should all be about the same size for even cooking. If you have larger potatoes, you will need to increase the bake time slightly. Before beginning, make sure the potatoes a scrubbed clean of any dirt.
