Crispy skin and a soft, piping hot center are the hallmarks of a great baked potato. In Basics by The BakerMama, I teach you how to bake a potato with simple, tried-and-true steps to getting the perfect potato every time.
Basics by The BakerMama
Welcome to Basics by The BakerMama! I created this how-to series to help beginner cooks hone their skills, make the most of their time in the kitchen, and create great family memories. I hope you enjoy!
Perfect Baked Potatoes are Easy Peasy
On its own or side-by-side with a great cut of beef, I adore a baked potato, hot from the oven. A microwave gets the job done faster. But nothing beats a real, baked-in-the-oven potato. There’s something so satisfying about taking an ordinary baking potato from hmm… to yum! in just a few simple steps.
Watch Me Bake a Potato
Step into the kitchen with me as I make the perfect baked potato.
Proper Preparation
Nothing beats an oven baked potato. And the secret to great baked potatoes is all in the prep work. So don’t skip out on any of these simple steps, if you want truly wow baked potatoes!
- Washing: Potatoes grow in the dirt, after all. No one wants that extra grit.
- Piercing the skin: This shortens the baking time and, at the same time, allows steam to escape and keeps your potato from rupturing.
- Rubbing the skin with butter and salt: This is the secret to crispy delicious potato skins!
- Preparing the baking sheet: Use parchment paper or foil (be sure to oil the foil to prevent the potatoes from sticking). You can also use a wire baking rack sprayed with non-stick cooking oil.
What Do I Need to Bake a Potato?
- Large Russet potatoes or sweet potato
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Kosher salt
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
How to Bake a Potato
- Preheat Oven to 425°F
- Prep baking sheet with parchment paper (and optional oiled baking rack)
- Wash potatoes thoroughly with a vegetable brush and pierce the skin of the potato with a fork several times.
- Rub with olive oil (melted butter works great, too!) and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
- Place potatoes on a prepared baking sheet.
- Place potatoes in the oven. Bake at 425° for 45 to 60 minutes, flipping potato about halfway through, if not using a rack.
Quick Tip:
Baking time varies, depending on the size of the potato. Always check doneness by piercing with a fork or squeezing with an oven mitt.
How to Serve and Store Baked Potatoes
To serve, split down the middle, top with a pat of butter or your favorite toppings like
- sour cream
- chives
- shredded cheese
- crumbled bacon
Store leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips and Tricks for Getting Great Baked Potatoes
- Some types of potatoes bake better than others. Russet potatoes make great baking potatoes, with thick skins that crisp up beautifully.
- Sweet potatoes cook more quickly because they have a much thinner skin.
- Don’t have an hour to kill? Microwave your washed potatoes for 8 minutes on high. Then prep as normal and finish baking in a 425°F oven until skin crisps and potato is soft, about 15 minutes.
More Basics by The BakerMama
Looking for more Basics by The BakerMama? With this helpful series, you can also learn how to:
- Bake Bacon: The easy steps that results in perfectly crisp, beautiful baked bacon every time!
- Soft Scramble Eggs: Light, fluffy scrambled eggs make a delicious addition to any breakfast. Learn how to soft scramble eggs for the perfect texture and taste every time.
- Make a Simple Icing: Get the steps to make a Simple Icing you can drizzle on all your favorite baked goods. It’s the perfect consistency for cinnamon rolls, pound cakes, cookies, scones and more!
- Wash Cilantro: Learn how to wash cilantro properly so that it adds flavor, not grit, to your favorite Mexican and Southwest dishes.
- How to Make Ground Beef for Tacos: No seasoning packet needed! Let me teach you how to make perfectly-seasoned ground beef for your favorite tacos.
I hope you find these simple basics helpful! When you make something with the help of my BakerMama’s Basics series, be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see and others can be inspired!
xoxo,
How to Bake a Potato
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Total Time: 50 – 75 minutes
Description
Crispy skin and a soft, piping hot center: the hallmarks of a great baked potato. In The BakerMama’s Basics: How to Bake a Potato, I teach you the simple, tried-and-true steps to getting the perfectly baked potato, every time.
Ingredients
- Large Russet potato or sweet potato
- Olive oil or melted butter (approximately 1-2 tablespoons per potato)
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 425°F
- Prep baking sheet with parchment paper (and optional oiled baking rack)
- Wash potatoes thoroughly with a vegetable brush and pierce the skin of the potato with a fork several times.
- Rub with olive oil (melted butter works great, too!) and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
- Bake at 425° for 45-60 minutes, flipping potato about halfway through, if not using a rack.
Notes
Baking time depends entirely on the size of the potato. Check doneness by piercing with a fork.
I am drooling over here – this looks so good – I’m loving this – simply delicious! Such a soul-satisfying dish!
I love this new series!