Perfect Baked Potato Recipe (2024)

Published June 7, 2021.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Learn how to make the perfect baked potato every single time while making it salt-crusted and crispy on the outside and deliciously tender on the inside.

I can never say it enough, but we love side dishes. To us, the more options we have the better, so if you’re anything like us then definitely check out my Polenta or Cauliflower au Gratin.

Baked Potato

A baked potato is one of the most basic things to cook. It is essential that a potato is baked in the oven until it is crisp on the outside and cooked and tender in the middle. There are several ways to bake a potato believe it or not, and heck I’ve even seen people cook it in the microwave, although I don’t advise doing that.

Here are a few things you do not need to do when baking a potato:

Pierce with a fork – doing this is supposed to allow air to escape so that it does not explode. Doing this can dry out your potato while the chances of it exploding are very low.
Wrap in foil – This is not needed when baking it and doing so will cause you to lose out on the outer crisp skin.

Making it Salted

I truly believe the way to achieve the best-baked potato is by salting it. It’s a simple process of coating it in olive oil and salt and baking it. This will ensure the entire potato is seasoned from the outside in. I really like salt as I believe it enhances the flavor of food to another level, but if you don’t like it as much, no problem as you can brush quite a bit of it off after it is done baking.

How to Make Baked Potatoes

Follow these simple instructions for making the perfect baked potato:

Wash the them on all sides and dry with a towel.

Coat each potato in a bowl of salted olive oil until it is completely coated.

Place the salted baked potato on a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 375° for 60 minutes.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: These are meant to be eaten within an hour of making them.

How to Reheat: Place them in a pan or on a metal tray and bake in the oven at 350° for 15 minutes or until warmed. Likewise, you can microwave it until warm.

How to Store: Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. These do not freeze that well, so I advise against it.

chef notes + tips

If you have a lot of leftover baked potatoes, they are excellent for making hash browns.
You do not have to salt the potatoes at all, but I do advise you to at least coat in oil before baking.

More Potato Recipes

Twice Baked
Mashed
Au Gratin
Scalloped
Oven Roasted

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Perfect Baked Potato Recipe

5 from 36 votes

Learn how to make the perfect baked potato every time while making it salt-crusted and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Servings: 5

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Ingredients

5 large baking potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°.
Rinse the baked potatoes under cold water and rub with your hands to remove any dirt. Dry with a towel.
Mix together the oil and salt in a medium-size bowl until combined.
Taking one potato at a time add it to the bowl and completely coat it in the oil and salt.
Place the potatoes once coated onto a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 375° for 60 minutes.
When they are done cooking serve whole, or slice in the center and push the outsides to the middle and serve.

Notes

Make-Ahead: Baked potatoes are meant to be eaten within an hour of making them.

How to Reheat: Place the baked potato in a pan or on a metal tray and bake in the oven at 350° for 15 minutes or until warmed. Likewise, you can microwave it until warm.

How to Store: Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. These do not freeze that well, so I advise against it.

If you have a lot of leftover baked potatoes, they are excellent for making hash browns.

You do not have to salt the potatoes at all, but I do advise to at least coat in oil before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 1406mgPotassium: 889mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 2mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, French, latin

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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56 comments

MARy THORPE

April 4, 2024
Just did this last night. I am a little lazier than Chef Billie so I just coat the potatoes in olive oil and sprinkle generously with garlic salt. I use the roast setting on my air fryer and 45 minutes later the potato is done! Glad I am close to your technique.
Reply
- April 6, 2024
  Excellent!
  Reply
sue

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly tasty eaxtra’ good 😁😋
Reply
sue

February 24, 2024
Fabulous ChefBilly thank you😁😋
Reply
Sue

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly yummy recipe 😁🤩
Reply
sue

February 24, 2024
Enjoyed your recipe thank you ChefBilly 😁😋
Reply
sue

See Also
Oven Baked Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Stove Top Instructions Included)Simple Oven Baked Brisket Recipe The Best Vegetarian Sausage Rolls Recipe - thinlyspread.co.uk Dunkin Donuts Snackin Bacon - CopyKat Recipes
February 24, 2024
Thankyou Chef Billy loved recipe &your teaching 😋😁
Reply
sue

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly 😁😋👏
Reply
sue

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly love them crispy etc 😋😁
Reply
sue

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChegBilly 😁😋
Reply
sue

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly yummy 😋 B….potato 😁🥔
Reply
sue😁

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly so enjoyed them this way 😁😋
Reply
sue😁

February 24, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly tasty Baked Potatoes 😁😋
Reply
Pam Williams

February 24, 2024
This Is the way to make the best baked potato.
Reply
Henry Meilman

February 24, 2024
I use a temp probe to make sure the internal temperature is at least 195. Try to stay under 205
Reply
Sue Moore

January 19, 2024
Love to olive oil and salt the potato, then put it on the grill until the skin gets a little char and crispy. Yummy!
Reply
Donna Pullman

January 19, 2024
Love this recipe
Easy peasy & delicious
Reply
sue 😁👋

January 18, 2024
Thank you so much wonderful learning’s teaching …tasty ChefBilly 🙏👋😋🤩
Reply
sue 😁😋

January 18, 2024
Thank you enjoying your teaching learning sooogood video fab ChefBilly 😁😋👋🤩
Reply
sue 😋😁

January 18, 2024
Delicious out come thanks ChefBilly😁😋🤩👋
Reply
sue 👋😁

January 18, 2024
So appreciate you help fabulous ChefBilly recipes 😁👋😋🤩
Reply
sue 😁

January 18, 2024
Thank you ChefBilly loving this help the extras bits 😋😁🤩👋
Reply
sue 😁👋

January 18, 2024
Thank you for you knowledge &helpChefBilly yummy 😋 😁👋
Reply
sue 😁

January 18, 2024
See Also
The Best Nut Roast Recipe For Celebrations! - thinlyspread.co.uk
Love this ChefBilly thank you 😋😁👋🤩
Reply
sue 😋

January 18, 2024
Thank you so for your tasty recipe love potatoes ChefBilly have a wonderful day 😁😋🤩🍰
Reply
Thomas Murin

January 18, 2024
Always on point!
Reply
Gloria Martino

January 18, 2024
Perfect baked potato crispy skin soft fluffy potato inside thank you
Reply
Carol Baumgartner

September 5, 2023
Thanks for this, Chef! I made them this way for the family and now everybody wants to have another baked potato party! Best ever!
Reply
- September 15, 2023
  perfect!!
  Reply
Carla

August 29, 2023
The best baked potato! Perfect inside and out. Love them.
Reply
- August 30, 2023
  yes indeed!
  Reply
MB

June 6, 2023
Perfect also for twice baked
Delicious and easy
Reply
- June 10, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Lindley Sharon

June 6, 2023
Very good!
Reply
- June 10, 2023
  Perfect!
  Reply
Jean

June 5, 2023
Best baked potatoes ever…must try you certainly will not be sorry!!!
Reply
- June 10, 2023
  thank you so kindly!!
  Reply
White Ronda

June 5, 2023
This is how I do it every time! Yummy
Reply
- June 10, 2023
  Perfect!
  Reply
Sheila

May 4, 2023
Beat baked potato. My new go to recipe!
Reply
- May 13, 2023
  awesome!
  Reply
Virginia Ardolino

April 26, 2023
Just a delicious potatoe !
Reply
- May 3, 2023
  yes!
  Reply
Nanci Robison

April 25, 2023
Have you tried thee same recipe but in an air fryer…. they really turn out great!! Your recipe is wonderful!!
Reply
- April 25, 2023
  I have not. I actually do not own an air fryer.
  Reply
Jean

April 21, 2023
Made these and they were the best baked potatoes I’ve ever made. What a difference the evoo and salt did.
So very tasty. Only way to do it now. Thanks Chef.
Reply
- May 3, 2023
  That’s awesome!
  Reply
Pamela

April 21, 2023
Excellent..in every way..
Thank you.
Reply
- May 3, 2023
  Great!
  Reply
Sandy Dutton

April 21, 2023
So yummy!!
Reply
- May 3, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Mary

September 16, 2022
Your potatoes came out great I even added more sea salt to the potatoes before baking them.My new way of doing bake potatoes I opened them up put some sharp cheddar cheese and real butter and Italian seasoning on them .Thanks for the recipe
Reply
Fred Sanchez

November 14, 2021
Thx they were awesome 😎
Reply
Pat

September 17, 2021
I tried your recipe for baked potatoes. They were delightful but a question? Is it really 2 tablespoons of salt? And any particular type of salt? I used 2 tablespoons of regular table salt and found I had to brush the salt off after the potatoes were baked as they were just too salty.
Reply
- September 18, 2021
  I prefer sea salt. It’s also definitely ok to scrape off some of the salt.
  Reply
Betty

June 7, 2021
Billy, I tried your recipe for the “baked potatoes, they turned out perfect. I received excellent comments on them. Thank you so much!
Reply

FAQs

Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400? ›

We recommend baking potatoes at 400 degrees F for about an hour. Smaller spuds might take a little less time, while larger baking potatoes over 1 pound might take a little more. For a fully baked Idaho Russet Burbank, the internal temperature should be right at 210 degrees F.

Get More Info ›

What is the best temperature to bake potatoes? ›

Potato baking temperatures range from 350˚ to 450˚F. The sweet spot seems to be at 400˚F, a temperature that cooks the potato all the way through and crisps the skin without singeing it. That said, you don't need to strictly adhere to a certain temperature every time you bake a potato.

Tell Me More ›

Should you oil potatoes before baking? ›

A: Adding oil to potatoes before baking is perfectly fine, just a personal preference. Without oil the Idaho russet skin bakes up crispy, with oil the skin will carry a lot of the flavor of the oil so some people have a preference for using olive oil or peanut oil.

Read The Full Story ›

How long does it take to bake potato at 400? ›

Directions. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the oil, salt, and pepper until completely coated. Place on a baking sheet and bake until fork tender, about 45 minutes.

Know More ›

Is it better to bake potatoes covered or uncovered? ›

Is it faster to bake a potato in foil? Technically, it could decrease the cook time a little bit, but it's not worth it. Trust us! Wrapping potatoes in foil produces a soggy potato because the foil holds in moisture and steams the potato.

Keep Reading ›

Can I overcook a baked potato? ›

Visual signs: The potato skin will start to wrinkle when over cooked. The potato, when wrapped in foil or placed on the bottom of a pan will have a dark brown spot on the bottom, a sure sign of over cooking. Foil traps the moisture in the potato causing the skin to be wet and the inside flavorless or gummy.

Tell Me More ›

Why do my baked potatoes always come out hard? ›

You don't check the temperature

A temperature between 205F to 212F inside the potatoes mean that they are cooked. If the temperature is below that, the potato may be too hard still inside, and if you go above it, they may become gummy.

Do baked potatoes continue to cook while resting? ›

Don't exceed the recommended cooking time because potatoes will continue to cook after they're removed from the oven and the skin will get dry. "Another common mistake is letting the potato rest or cool before cutting. This is not meat and the potato doesn't get better with resting.

Why do you Soak potatoes in water before cooking? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

Explore More ›

Should I poke holes in potatoes before baking? ›

Rumor has it that an un-pricked spud will explode in the oven—but in all actuality, that's unlikely. Conventional wisdom says that when you bake a potato, you have to prick it with a fork all over a few times, piercing the skin to allow steam to release.

Know More ›

What happens if you don't soak potatoes before baking? ›

Yes! Soak the potatoes in cold water to remove the excess starch from the outside of the potato. There are a few reasons why you want to remove that starch (it makes the potatoes burn, it keeps them from crisping up, it turns to sugar) but all you really need to remember is to soak them at least one hour.

Read The Full Story ›

Why are my baked potatoes still hard after an hour? ›

The potato may be too big: If the potato is too large, it will take longer to bake all the way through. It's best to choose potatoes that are similar in size, around 6-8 ounces each. The oven temperature may be too low: If the oven temperature is too low, the potato will take longer to cook.

Get More Info Here ›

Is 400 too hot for baked potatoes? ›

We recommend 400° F. In previous studies with Kitchen Consultants, out of Los Angeles, we raised our baking time suggestions from 45 or 55 minutes to one full hour or when the internal temperature of the Idaho® baked potato reaches 210° F. Baking in foil is NOT recommended, as it steams the potato.

View Details ›

How long do you bake a potato at 350 degrees? ›

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°. ...
Place potatoes directly on an oven rack and roast until very soft when squeezed and skin is crisp, 60–75 minutes.
Cut open each potato; season with salt and pepper and top with butter, Parmesan, and/or chives.

Apr 27, 2021

See Details ›

How do most restaurants bake potatoes? ›

How to cook How to Make Restaurant Style Baked Potatoes

Preheat the oven to 425.
Wash the potatoes.
Drizzle with oil and rub until fully coated.
Season with the salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Place on baking sheet and cook for 45 minutes.
Cut a slit into the top of the potato.

More items...

Jun 3, 2019

Find Out More ›

Should baked potatoes be wrapped in foil? ›

"I see a lot of people using foil to wrap their potatoes in but this is a big no-no and causes soggy skins!" he says. Foil holds in moisture and steams the potatoes, resulting in a "boiled" taste and texture. Plus, without the use of foil, the skin will get extra crispy and flavorful.

Learn More ›