Easy Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes have been a beloved classic for decades, and for a good reason. The comforting warmth and delicious flavor make it a popular choice for any occasion, from family dinners to elegant events. But what's the secret to achieving that perfectly crispy skin and fluffy, creamy interior? This easy-baked potato recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring your potatoes come out perfectly every time.
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Tools
- Dry measuring spoons
- oven safe rack
Ingredients
- 6 large Russet potatoes , scrubbed clean of dirt, rinsed and dried
- 2 teaspoons peanut oil , vegetable, or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt , adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper , optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with an oven-safe cooling rack; this will elevate the potatoes and allow hot air to circulate around them, resulting in crispier skin. Prick each potato a few times all over with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking and help prevent the potatoes from exploding in the oven.
- Rub the potatoes with the oil and sprinkle all over with the salt and black pepper (if using). Place the potatoes directly on the rack and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until tender when pierced in the center with a sharp knife or until the center of the largest potato registers 205°F to 210°F (96°C to 99°C).
- You can also check if the potatoes are soft by gently squeezing them. Be careful, as they will be hot! Let the potatoes sit for a few minutes until cool enough to handle, then cut a slit down the center of each potato and serve with toppings of choice, such as butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, or bacon bits.
- 👀👉Note: Pricking the potatoes is not necessary, but it can be done as a precautionary measure. If the potatoes are not pricked, there is a small risk that they may explode in the oven due to built-up steam.
Notes
How to Store & Reheat
To store baked potatoes, let them cool completely to room temperature and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, thaw the potatoes in the refrigerator overnight, unwrap, and then reheat using one of the methods below.
To reheat baked potatoes, there are a few methods you can use:
Microwave: Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the potato on a baking sheet and heat for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the potato in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and crispy. When reheating, be sure to check the temperature of the potato with a food thermometer to make sure it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can also add additional toppings or seasonings as desired. How to Make Ahead You can partially make ahead baked potatoes to save time and reduce prep work on the day of serving. Here's how: Prepare the potatoes as directed in the recipe up to the point of baking them. Prick them with a fork, rub them with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container. Label the container with the date and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and place the wrapped potatoes directly on the oven rack.
Bake for 60-70 minutes or until tender when pierced with a sharp knife.
Remove the potatoes from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, then cut a slit down the center of each potato and serve with toppings of choice. 👀👉Note: Baked potatoes can also be fully cooked ahead of time and reheated as directed in the previous answer. However, fully cooked potatoes may lose their crispiness and become slightly softer upon reheating. How to Freeze Baked potatoes can be frozen for later use. Here's how to freeze baked potatoes: Let the baked potatoes cool completely to room temperature.
Wrap the cooled potatoes tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place the foil-wrapped potatoes in a plastic container or a freezer-safe bag to protect them from other odors and flavors in your freezer.
Wrap each potato tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also use a freezer-safe zip-top bag to store multiple potatoes.
Label the wrapped potatoes with the date and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to use the frozen potatoes, here's how to reheat them: Remove the wrapped potatoes from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Unwrap the thawed potatoes and place them on a baking sheet.
Bake the potatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving with your favorite toppings. 👀👉Note: Frozen baked potatoes may become slightly softer and lose their crispiness upon reheating. It's best to use them as a side dish rather than as a main course.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the potato on a baking sheet and heat for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the potato in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and crispy. When reheating, be sure to check the temperature of the potato with a food thermometer to make sure it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can also add additional toppings or seasonings as desired. How to Make Ahead You can partially make ahead baked potatoes to save time and reduce prep work on the day of serving. Here's how: Prepare the potatoes as directed in the recipe up to the point of baking them. Prick them with a fork, rub them with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container. Label the container with the date and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and place the wrapped potatoes directly on the oven rack.
Bake for 60-70 minutes or until tender when pierced with a sharp knife.
Remove the potatoes from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, then cut a slit down the center of each potato and serve with toppings of choice. 👀👉Note: Baked potatoes can also be fully cooked ahead of time and reheated as directed in the previous answer. However, fully cooked potatoes may lose their crispiness and become slightly softer upon reheating. How to Freeze Baked potatoes can be frozen for later use. Here's how to freeze baked potatoes: Let the baked potatoes cool completely to room temperature.
Wrap the cooled potatoes tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place the foil-wrapped potatoes in a plastic container or a freezer-safe bag to protect them from other odors and flavors in your freezer.
Wrap each potato tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also use a freezer-safe zip-top bag to store multiple potatoes.
Label the wrapped potatoes with the date and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to use the frozen potatoes, here's how to reheat them: Remove the wrapped potatoes from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Unwrap the thawed potatoes and place them on a baking sheet.
Bake the potatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving with your favorite toppings. 👀👉Note: Frozen baked potatoes may become slightly softer and lose their crispiness upon reheating. It's best to use them as a side dish rather than as a main course.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Baked Potatoes
Amount per Serving
Calories
304
% Daily Value*
Fat
2
g
3
%
Saturated Fat
0.3
g
2
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
1
g
Sodium
212
mg
9
%
Potassium
1541
mg
44
%
Carbohydrates
67
g
22
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
2
g
2
%
Protein
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
5
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
21
mg
25
%
Calcium
49
mg
5
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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