The Perfectly Crispy Baked Potato

Looking for the ultimate baked potato recipe? Your search is over! This recipe delivers a baked potato with a crispy, golden skin and a fluffy, tender interior — exactly how a baked potato should be.

Even better, it’s made with just a handful of basic ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. What could be easier than that? Make sure to keep this recipe handy for your next potluck, cookout, or even a busy weeknight dinner!

How to Prepare Baked Potatoes

The best part of this recipe is its simplicity! While the full instructions are below, here’s what you can look forward to when making the ultimate baked potato:

Prepare the Potatoes

Begin by rinsing and scrubbing the potatoes thoroughly. Next, use a fork or knife to prick each potato so steam can escape as they bake. Rub olive oil over the skin (you can either do this by hand or by placing the potato and oil in a zip-top bag and shaking it). Season with salt to taste.

Bake the Potatoes

Place the potatoes in a 300°F oven and bake until they're soft and golden brown, which should take around 90 minutes.

Add Toppings to Potatoes

Cut open the potatoes and fluff the insides. Then, add your favorite toppings like black pepper, butter, Cheddar cheese, chives, sour cream, or anything else that suits your taste.

How Long to Cook Baked Potatoes

The cooking time for baked potatoes depends on their size. Typically, it takes between 50 minutes and 1 ½ hours.

You’ll know the potatoes are done when a fork easily slides through the skin. If the center is still firm, continue baking a little longer until tender.

If you're unsure, use a digital thermometer — baked potatoes are ready when their internal temperature reaches 210°F.

How to Add Toppings to Baked Potatoes

The beauty of baked potatoes lies in their versatility! You can top them with as many or as few toppings as you like — there's no shame in enjoying a simple potato.

We love loading ours up with butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, crispy bacon, and even chili. Let your creativity run wild with whatever toppings you desire!

How to Store Baked Potatoes

To store leftover baked potatoes, place them in a metal or glass dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate.

When you're ready to reheat your baked potato, pop it in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave it (covered with a damp paper towel) for 2 to 3 minutes.

Dinogo Community Tips and Praise

"I baked 4 large potatoes: scrubbed, pierced, coated with olive oil, rolled in kosher salt, and baked them in a 375°F oven for 60 minutes. They turned out perfectly! We enjoyed two on the first night, topped with leftover pot roast. The next day, the remaining two potatoes were served with all the classic fixings alongside country-style ribs," shares stachman.

"I had never tried rubbing olive oil on potatoes before baking, so I decided to give it a try. I used 2 large russet potatoes, tossed them in a Ziploc bag with olive oil, and shook them to coat evenly. Then I added salt, pepper, and garlic powder, pricked them with a fork, wrapped them in foil, and baked them at 325°F for 2 hours. They were absolutely delicious," says Jennifer Storemski.

"This potato is foolproof! After reading some reviews, I decided to give the two massive potatoes I had a 5-minute head start in the microwave because I was worried they'd take forever. I bumped up the oven temp to 350°F and placed them directly on the top rack with no foil. They were perfectly done in just 45 minutes! Don’t forget to put a pan or foil on the bottom rack to catch any drips," says madkj84.

Editorial by Bailey Fink

Ingredients

• 1 medium baking potato

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons butter

• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

• ¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions

Place the potato in the preheated oven and bake until it’s slightly soft and golden brown, about 90 minutes. Cut the potato down the middle and top it with butter and black pepper. For extra flavor, sprinkle some shredded Cheddar cheese on top, if you like.

Variation

For something a little different, try cutting off the top of the potato to create a ‘lid’ instead of slicing it in half. Scoop out the fluffy interior, leaving the skin intact. Mix the potato with butter, grated cheese, and black pepper, then spoon the mixture back into the skin. Place the lid back on and serve.

Nutritional Information (per serving)