There’s no denying that we enjoy a nice potato recipe as much as we are new to knowing how to make a baked potato in the oven. Potatoes are one of the best comfort foods you can cook, whether they’re mashed, smashed, sliced, or fried.
And, if you ask us, baking potatoes in the oven is the simplest way to prepare them. Baked potatoes, with their crispy shell and fluffy inside, require only a dollop of butter and a sprinkling of salt to transform them into a great side dish for steak or chicken.
Of course, you can also serve them as a meal on their own—just stuff them with toppings like bacon, cheddar, and sour cream, or check out Ree Drummond’s Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes (they’re a game-day winner).
But, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to make a baked potato in the oven fast.
How to Make a Baked Potato in the Oven Fast
The procedure for making roasted potatoes in the oven is straightforward. All you need is the correct kind of potato (russet is preferred) and some oil (for that crispy skin). They’ll bake in the oven for about an hour, even without any foil.
While some people use the microwave to “bake” potatoes, the oven will cook them more evenly, resulting in flawless potatoes every time. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you can be as creative as you want.
Baked Potato Recipe Tips
- Leave out the foil! Getting really crispy skin is the key to making a good baked potato. Wrapping the potatoes in foil causes the skins to shrivel and soften in the oven. Leave the potatoes unwrapped for the best results.
- Don’t be cheap with the salt. Do you like to snack on potato skins? You will be if you make this baked potato recipe! Salting the potatoes makes the skins extra crispy and flavorful. Plus, because each bite contains a bit of salty skin, you won’t have to season the potato flesh as you eat.
- Be aware that cooking times will vary. In the recipe below, I recommend baking the potatoes for 45 to 60 minutes. This is a broad range, but I include it for a reason. Depending on the size of the potatoes, the cooking time will vary. When they’re fork-tender and the skin is crisp, remove them from the oven. Larger potatoes will require more time to bake than smaller ones.
How to Make a Baked Potato in the Oven?
You can bake any type of potato, but the ideal potatoes for baking are those with low moisture and high starch content, such as russet or an Idaho potato. Waxier potatoes, such as Yukon golds or red-skinned potatoes, will not bake with a fluffy center.
What temperature do you bake potatoes at?
To obtain the greatest texture inside and the crispiest peel on the outside, bake potatoes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it necessary to wrap roasted potatoes in foil?
No! Wrapping potatoes with foil keeps moisture in, causing the potatoes to steam. Wrapping them in foil will result in wet potatoes rather than crispy ones.
Baking them on a baking sheet (or directly on an oven rack) spaced apart allows air to circulate around them, resulting in more consistent cooking.
Should I pierce the potatoes before roasting them?
Yes! Fork-pricking the potatoes creates microscopic holes that allow steam to escape. This keeps your potato from exploding in the oven (and making a mess!).
How long should you bake a potato?
Depending on the size, 50 minutes to 1 hour at 400 degrees F should yield wonderfully fluffy flesh with crispy skin.
What is the best way to know if a baked potato is done?
When your timer goes off, pierce the potato with a paring knife to see if it’s done—it should glide in easily. You can also squeeze the potato (while wearing oven mitts!) to see if it’s tender.
The Best Baking Potato Varieties
Because it has a thick, starchy, fluffy interior and exterior nature, Russet potatoes make the tastiest baked potatoes (once baked, of course). Leave the waxy potatoes to be halved and roasted with rosemary.
Also Read: 10 Best ground pork pasta recipes you should try
Why Do You Need To Scrub Them?
Those Russets you’re about to eat came from the ground and are possibly still covered in dirt. Give ’em a rinse, people!
Poke Holes
Make careful to poke your potatoes all over with a fork before baking. This will aid in the release of steam in the oven and keep your potato from exploding (yes, you read it correctly!).
Crispy Skin Is All About
Dry skin = crispy baked skin, and you absolutely want to eat the skin – it’s full of taste. After scrubbing the potatoes, thoroughly dry them with a clean dish towel: Soggy sadness is the outcome of moisture.
You should also brush them with olive oil. It not only helps the skin firm up even more, but it also improves the flavor. Before baking, rub the potatoes all over, then season well. This recipe will taste, bland and dull without enough salt.
There’s no need to wrap them with foil! Wrapping your potatoes in foil traps moisture, resulting in soggy skin rather than the crispy surface we desire.
Whether or not to rack
The potatoes should be cooked on an oven-safe rack that fits inside a baking pan. The better the outcomes, the larger the circulation under the potatoes.
What Temperature To Bake Potatoes At
The use of high heat makes all the difference. We’re talking about 450°. Any lower, and you’ll almost certainly be tucking into leathery, crinkly skin.
How Long Should Potatoes Be Baked In The Oven?
One hour should suffice; you may need to go a little longer. But, to get a good idea of when they’re done, take the inside temperature. A properly cooked baked potato should have a temperature of 200°-205°. You should use your instant-read thermometer for this.
Simply insert it into the center of the potato. When they’re done, cut them open right away to let the steam out (and therefore to avoid gumminess).
Bake Air Fryer!
It’s one of the longer air fryer cook times we have, but it’s a touch faster than the oven if you’re in a hurry. Scrub the potatoes clean, pat dry, and poke holes all over with a fork, just like you would for the oven. Place them in an air fryer basket at 400°F for 40 minutes to get tender, crispy potatoes.
Keeping Leftovers
Baked potatoes are the finest just out of the oven. If you want to make them ahead of time, cut them in half and cool them completely before keeping them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Experts warn against storing them in foil because this has been linked to botulism.
Remove the potato from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature before reheating. Then, bake at 350° for 15 minutes, or until well warmed.
In Conclusion
Suggestions for Serving Baked Potatoes in the Oven
You can’t go wrong with a pat of butter, salt, and pepper on top of this oven-baked potato recipe, but a few well-chosen toppings can really take it to the next level. I like mine with cashew sour cream, tempeh bacon, and chives, but it would also be delicious with regular sour cream, “cheese sauce,” Greek yogurt, or cheddar cheese.