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.

How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

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.
How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

What Do I Need to Bake a Potato?

How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

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.
How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama
  • Place potatoes on a prepared baking sheet.
How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama
  • Place potatoes in the oven. Bake at 425° for 45 to 60 minutes, flipping potato about halfway through, if not using a rack.
How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

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.

How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

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.
How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

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.
How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

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,

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
How to Bake a Potato by The BakerMama

How to Bake a Potato

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: The BakerMama
  • 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

  1. Preheat Oven to 425°F
  2. Prep baking sheet with parchment paper (and optional oiled baking rack)
  3. Wash potatoes thoroughly with a vegetable brush and pierce the skin of the potato with a fork several times.
  4. Rub with olive oil (melted butter works great, too!) and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
  5. 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.

About The BakerMama

Maegan is the author of her best-selling Beautiful Boards, Spectacular Spreads and Brilliant Bites cookbooks. She started blogging in 2012 and features hundreds of original recipes on The BakerMama. She truly enjoys sharing her easy, family-friendly recipes, creative meal ideas, food board creations, and entertaining spreads to encourage others to get in the kitchen and make something memorable for their loved ones to enjoy together. Learn More

Follow us on social media:

Related

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Comments

  1. I am drooling over here – this looks so good – I’m loving this – simply delicious! Such a soul-satisfying dish!