Baked Potato Recipe
Baked Potato is one of those easy dishes you can make with very little effort. A baked potato is simply a whole unpeeled potato baked in the oven until the skin turns crisp and the inside becomes soft and fluffy. I make this often when I want something simple and comforting. You can serve these baked potatoes as a snack, side dish or with toppings. Add butter, sour cream, herbs or cheese and you have a warm, satisfying light meal.
All About Baked Potato Recipe
Baked Potato is one of the easiest dishes you can prepare with minimal ingredients. Baking in the oven gives the potatoes a crisp skin and a soft, fluffy interior. You can keep the seasoning simple or build on it with toppings.
This Baked Potato recipe uses just potatoes, olive oil and salt. Even with such basic ingredients, the flavor turns out wholesome and satisfying. It’s a great option when you want something quick but homemade.
The long baking process helps the potatoes cook evenly from edge to centre. The skin becomes slightly chewy and crisp, which many people enjoy. Inside, the texture stays light and creamy.
You can serve these salt crusted baked potatoes as a snack, starter or a side dish with grilled foods and soups. They work well for lunch or dinner. Kids also enjoy these and can choose their own toppings.
Table of Contents
This Baked Potato recipe builds a good base for many flavors. Add sour cream, cheese, butter or fresh herbs depending on what you like. Simple ingredients often make these potatoes more flavorful.
Baked potatoes also pair well with salads and hearty winter dishes. They bring a comforting element to the meal. You can even use leftover potatoes the next day.
The recipe is flexible and forgiving. If your potatoes are slightly larger or smaller, just adjust the baking time. The key is to check doneness with a fork.
These baked potatoes fit well into busy schedules. You can prepare them while working on other dishes. Once baked, they’re ready to enjoy with any topping you prefer.
This Baked Potato recipe is also nice for meal prep. Bake a few at once and store them in the fridge. Warm them in the oven whenever you need a quick meal.
If you like making simple potato sides at home, you may enjoy these recipes as well:
How to Make Baked Potato
You can make baked potatoes at home easily. The oven does most of the work, and you only need a few basic ingredients. Follow the steps below to get soft, fluffy potatoes with a crisp skin.
Prep Potatoes
1. Rinse and scrub 4 medium to large potatoes well to remove any dirt or mud. Make sure the surface is clean because the skin becomes crisp when baked. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
2. Preheat oven at 200°C (390°F) for 15 minutes. Poke the potatoes a few times all over with a fork so they cook evenly and the steam can escape while baking.
Note: Poking the potatoes with a fork allows the steam to escape while baking. This prevents them from bursting in the oven and helps them cook more evenly.
3. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add 1 teaspoon salt evenly all over the potatoes.
5. Next add 2 tablespoons olive oil evenly on the potatoes.
6. Coat each potato very well and evenly with the salt and oil mixture. Rub the mixture all over the skin of each potato, so it bakes evenly and develops a nice crust.
Bake Potatoes
7. Place them on a greased tray or a tray lined with parchment paper. Keep some space between the potatoes so the heat circulates well.
8. Next place the potatoes in the oven. Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 1 hour.
9. After 30 minutes, remove the tray from the oven using oven mittens. Turn the potatoes with spatula or tongs.
10. Place back in the oven and continue baking so both sides cook and brown properly.
11. Check doneness by inserting a fork. It should slide through without resistance, which means the inside is soft. The skin may feel firm and crisp but the centre will be tender.
12. Rest the potatoes for 2 to 3 minutes so the steam settles. Using oven mitts, make a slit in the centre of each baked potato.
13. Gently open it without breaking the potato apart.
14. Using a spoon, add your choice of toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, mayo, black pepper or herbs. I used butter and black pepper.
15. Serve the baked potatoes hot for the best texture. Garnish with your choice of fresh herbs or dried herbs.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve baked potatoes as a light meal or as a side dish. Add butter or extra version olive oil, sour cream, cheese, black pepper or any herbs you like.
They pair well with soups, salads, roasted vegetables or pasta. You can serve them with warm soups like Tomato Soup, Sweet Corn Soup, Spinach Soup or Broccoli Soup. They also go nicely with Alfredo Pasta or Garlic Pasta.
Kids enjoy them with a little Mayo or grated cheese. You can also top them with Sautéed Mushrooms, baked beans or scrambled tofu for a complete meal.
Storage Suggestions
Let the Baked Potato cool completely before storing. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.
Warm them in the oven at 180°C/350°F until hot. This keeps the skin crisp. Avoid reheating in the microwave because the skin becomes chewy.
Do not freeze cooked potatoes as the texture turns grainy after thawing.
Dassana’s Recipe Tips
- Choose the right potatoes: Use large starchy potatoes for the fluffiest texture. Russet, Idaho, Maris Piper or Yukon Gold work well. Avoid very waxy potatoes like Red potatoes or Baby potatoes, as they don’t get as light and fluffy inside.
- Dry the potatoes completely: Any moisture on the skin makes it harder to crisp up. Pat them fully dry before adding oil.
- Don’t skip the oil: Olive oil helps the skin crisp nicely and bake evenly. Without oil the skin may become tough.
- Adjust baking time by size: Smaller potatoes cook faster. Very large potatoes may need 10 to 15 extra minutes.
- Turn halfway through: Flipping after 30 minutes ensures even browning on all sides.
- Test with a fork: If the fork meets resistance, continue baking for a few minutes more.
- Rest before cutting: A short 2 to 3 minute rest helps the steam settle so you can cut the potatoes without breaking them apart.
- Add toppings while hot: Butter, cheese or sour cream combine beautifully when the potatoes are warm.
Your Questions Answered
Can I bake potatoes without oil?
Yes, but the skin will not be as crisp. Oil gives better texture and flavour.
Should I wrap potatoes in foil?
For classic Baked Potato recipe, avoid foil. Foil softens the skin. Baking directly gives a crisp crust.
Why is my potato still hard inside?
It needs more time. Potato size and oven variations can change the cooking time.
Can I microwave the potatoes first?
You can partially cook them in a microwave to reduce oven time. But the best texture comes from baking fully in the oven.
What toppings go well with baked potatoes?
Butter, sour cream, cream cheese, mayo, grated cheese, herbs, chilli flakes, sautéed mushrooms or even vegan butter.
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Baked Potato Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 or (450 to 500 grams) potatoes – large
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or add according to taste
Instructions
Prep Potatoes
- Rinse and scrub the potatoes well to remove any dirt and pat them completely dry.
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) for 15 minutes.
- Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork. This helps the steam escape as they bake.
- Place them in a bowl and coat evenly with olive oil and salt, rubbing the mixture over the skin for better crisping.
Bake Potatoes
- Arrange the potatoes on a greased tray or a parchment-lined tray, leaving a little space between each one for proper airflow.
- Bake the potatoes at 200°C (390°F) for 1 hour.
- After 30 minutes of baking, remove the tray from the oven. Turn the potatoes over using tongs so they cook and brown evenly.
- Place the tray back in the oven and continue baking for the remaining time.
- Check doneness by inserting a fork. It should slide in easily and the centre should feel soft.
- Let the potatoes rest for a few minutes, hold each baked potato with oven mittens or tongs and make a slit on top and gently open it.
- Add your preferred toppings like butter, cheese, sour cream, herbs or black pepper.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the Baked Potato hot with butter or extra virgin olive oil, sour cream, cheese or herbs.
- They also pair well with soups, salads or pasta dishes. You can top them with sautéed mushrooms, baked beans or ricotta or cottage cheese for a more filling meal.
Storage
- Let the baked potatoes cool completely before storing.
- Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven to keep the skin crisp. Avoid microwaving, as the skin can turn chewy.
Dassana’s Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet, Idaho or Maris Piper for the fluffiest texture.
- Dry the potatoes completely before baking for crisp skin.
- Prick the potatoes a few times with a fork. This helps the steam escape and prevents them from bursting in the oven.
- Don’t wrap the potatoes in foil. Foil steams the potatoes and softens the skin instead of making it crisp.
- Turn them halfway through baking for even browning.
- Baking time can vary with oven type and potato size. Smaller potatoes cook faster, while very large ones may need 10 to 20 minutes more. If the potatoes are very large, extend the baking time. Check for doneness by inserting a fork and it should slide in easily.
- Add toppings while the potatoes are still hot so that they melt and blend well.
This has become my go-to recipe on days when I don’t have many vegetables on hand. Potatoes are always in my pantry, so I end up cooking them in different ways, and baked potatoes are the easiest for me. I usually top them with sour cream or just drizzle some olive oil and add crushed red pepper and fresh herbs.
That sounds really good. Baked potatoes are so easy and versatile, and your toppings sound perfect. Thanks for sharing how you enjoy this recipe.