How to Bake a Potato

Follow these simple tips to learn how to bake a potato, whether you are short on time or have plenty of time. There are two fool-proof methods for baking potatoes — a traditional baked potato in oven or a time saving method where you microwave potatoes before baking, then follow up with the oven.

Click HERE to save these instructions for the Perfect Baked Potato to Pinterest!

Figuring Out How to Bake Potatoes

Recently, I discovered that none of the kids like twice baked potatoes or potatoes with toppings. A couple of them like a plain baked potato with butter, especially Kayden. He will often request them for dinner.

Once I even ended up buying a 20 lb bag of russets at the grocery store because we were going through so many potatoes. I think he may have even packed one in his lunch once!

You’d think learning how to bake a potato wouldn’t be that hard, but I can’t tell you the number of times that dinner has played out like this:

Me, baking a potato, thinking that the potato is done and then finding that I’ve cut into it the middle that is actually still kind of hard and not quite done yet. It can be a little annoying.

That’s too bad, because I actually really like a loaded baked potato when they’re done right. And stuffed, twice-baked potatoes are kind of favorites of mine too and you have to bake those first (hence the twice baked part).

That’s what happens when I toss the potatoes into the oven and don’t really pay attention to what I am doing or how long they’re cooking. Paying attention is actually kind of important considering the fact that figuring out how long to bake a potato can vary depending on how large the potato is.

If I don’t bother looking at the clock, how am I ever going to know how long I’ve had the baked potato in oven? No, I don’t just want a baked potato. I want to bake a potato that is PERFECTLY done — soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

In the past, my method has been to  feel the baked potato (and try to decipher if I think that it is soft enough). I usually think that they’re done, but they really aren’t. So I put a little effort into coming up with a strategy to accomplish this task that should actually be pretty simple.

My method insures I don’t deal with an imperfect baked potato, so I thought that I’d share those methods for today’s kitchen tip. Here’s a (in my book) fool-proof way for a perfect, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside baked potato.

The first method for baking potatoes assumes that you have plenty of time, you’re not in a rush and you’ve planned ahead. The second way, a variation of the first, produces equally delicious results in a fraction of the time.

It’s ideal for those days when you’re a little less than organized. Which probably happens here more often than I’d care to admit.

Click HERE to save these instructions for the Perfect Baked Potato to Pinterest!

How to Bake a Potato 2 Ways

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

Oven Baked Potato Method:

If you have plenty of time and you’re wondering how to bake a potato, use this method.

When I’m thinking about how to bake a potato, I prefer the baked potato in oven method. Even though the second method gives similar results, I think the results in this method are superior. Plus, just old habits, you know?

In the winter I especially love it because the oven being on for a while makes the kitchen and connected family room so nice and toasty warm. I also think a potato baking in the oven smells yummy.

Before you can prep the potatoes for baking, the baked potato oven temp should be 375 degrees F. You want to start with organic russet potatoes of the large baking variety.

Wash, scrub, and dry the potatoes (this Vegetable Scrub Brush is great for this step). Then, poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.

An optional step is to brush each side of the potato with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt (we love to use this pink Himalayan salt in our salt grinder). This step might be optional, but it makes the potato taste so good, so you shouldn’t skip it!

Once you’ve seasoned the potatoes, you’re ready to bake them in your preheated oven.

Wondering how long to bake a potato?

The baking time can really very depending on the size of your potato as well as the altitude at which you live. You’ll likely still need to test for doneness and find what cook time works best for you.

Note that the average cook time for a baked potato in oven 75-90 minutes.

Click HERE to save these instructions for the Perfect Baked Potato to Pinterest!

Fast Baked Potato Method

When I’m super busy, or I haven’t gotten started with my cooking early enough, I microwave potatoes before baking.

I’m not a big fan of only microwaving baked potatoes, because you don’t get a nice crisp skin on them (instead they’re a bit soggy). So, I microwave the potatoes before I bake them, and then finish up my baked potato in oven.

This method is also great when you need to free up the oven for something else. In this method, you’ll preheat the oven to a higher temp to give you that nice, crispy outer skin in a fraction of the time.

You can do this without the risk of burning the outside since the potato has already been partially cooked thanks to the trusty microwave.

To make a fast baked potato, you’ll first need to preheat yur oven to 450 degrees F. Again, you’ll want to start with an organic russet potato of the large baking variety.

Wash, scrub, and dry the potato using a Vegetable Scrub Brush if you have one. Then poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.

Microwave the potatoes, up to 4 at a time, on full power for 4 minutes. Turn potato over and microwave for 4 more minutes. If desired, brush each side of the potato with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt.

How long does it take to bake a potato after it’s been microwaved?

You’ll want to bake the microwaved potato in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After that, you’ll have a perfect baked potato!

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

What’s the Best Potato for Baking?

The key thing to remember when learning how to bake potatoes is to start with the right kind of potato. It seems obvious, but not all potatoes are suitable for baking!

For this recipe, you need to buy large russet potatoes of the baking variety. Don’t worry, your grocery store should have the different potatoes clearly labeled!

What Readers are Saying

“Thank you for the tip on cooking the potatoes quickly! I run a B&B and am making a twice-baked potato dish with an egg dropped in the center (and then baked), side of avocado, sour cream, chive, and bacon…all served on a large leaf of lettuce…not my recipe, but it’s had a great response so I keep making it! It was taking way way too long to cook the potatoes so this is a life/time saver! Thank you SO very much:)!”

“I did the “I’ve got time” method and it turned out awesome!!! Threw some sour cream, cheese and green onions on it…….yum!”

“I got excellent reviews on this at a dinner party I just hosted – I used the shortcut version in the microwave and followed up with the olive oil and oven. I also followed what another poster said by adding a little water to the plate in the microwave. This version of the recipe is very easy and it came out well! Thanks!!”

“Greatest baked potatoes I ever made. Cooked (8) giant ones for 80 minutes. rubbed with EVO (olive oil) and sprinkled sea salt over them before baking…..Wow !!!!!!!! Thanks.”

Recipes That Use Baked Potatoes:

Now that I’ve told you my methods for how to make a perfect baked potato, here are a few favorite recipes that you might like to try with your baked potato. 

Browse the recipe index archives for even more great recipe ideas:

Loaded Baked Potato Soup is a delicious use for baked potatoes, as well as a great way to use up and leftovers that you might have after a meal.

If you’re looking for a little bit lighter of an option to a traditional baked potato with all the yummy toppings, try this Baked Potato with Balsamic Caramelized Onion and Mushroom.

These Broccoli Cheese Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes are a riff on the traditional. They’re stuffed with cheese, bacon, and lots of broccoli for a hearty side dish!

Do you have any special tricks for how to bake a potato or a favorite way to serve them?

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Perfect Baked Potato

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes 30 seconds

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes 30 seconds

Follow these simple tips to learn how to bake a potato, whether you are short on time or have plenty of time. There are two fool-proof methods that answer the question of how to bake a potato: a traditional baked potato in oven or a time saving method where you microwave potatoes before baking, then follow up with the oven.

Print

Ingredients

• 4 large Russet Potatoes
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Wash, scrub, and dry the potatoes that you are going to bake.
3. Poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.
4. Brush each side of the potato with olive oil.
5. Sprinkle lightly with salt - this step is optional but it really makes the potatoes so good, so you shouldn't skip it!
6. Bake the potatoes in the preheated 375 degree oven.
7. Baking times vary based on size of the potato, but the average baking time for large russet potatoes is 75-90 minutes,

Notes

If you are short on time, I recommend using the following method which utilizes the microwave to speed things up before baking in the oven.

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Wash, scrub, and dry the potato.
3. Poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.
4. Microwave the potatoes, up to 4 at a time, on full power for 4 minutes.
5. Turn potato over and microwave for 4 more minutes.
6. Then, bake the microwaved potato in the 450 degree F preheated oven for 20-30 minutes.

Optional: Before baking, brush each side of the potato with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with sea salt.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Baking Sheet
• 
  Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 
  Pink Himalayan Salt
• 
  Natural Scrub Brush

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 571mgCarbohydrates: 64gFiber: 7gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g

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