Baked Potato
16 Comments
Posted: 07/10/25
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Learn how to make the perfect baked potato in the oven with crispy, salty skin and a fluffy interior—an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish you can top with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and more!
A Baked Potato might seem totally basic, but if you’ve ever made them you know how hard it is to get them crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Now that I’ve mastered the best baked potato recipe for home they are the ultimate side dish.
I love that I can customize the toppings to go with different main dishes like Cheesy Meatloaf and Stuffed Chicken Breasts. Sometimes the Baked Potato is the main dish – when you load it up with all the toppings it’s a filling dinner. If you’re short on time you can make Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You really only need 4 ingredients.
- This super easy recipe will make light, fluffy baked potatoes every single time.
- Baked potatoes are simple enough for a busy weeknight but you can make them for dinner guests, too.
These are restaurant quality baked potatoes!! My whole family just raved about them!!
Ingredients for Baked Potatoes
- Potatoes – I recommend using Russet potatoes for this recipe because they have a high starch content which makes them fluffier than other varieties.
- Olive oil – This has such a good flavor but you can use any oil. Don’t skip this step – the oil is what crisps up the skin.
- Seasoning – All you need to season baked potatoes is sea salt and ground black pepper.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Baked Potatoes
- Pierce cleaned and dried potatoes several times with a fork.
- Coat potatoes in olive oil.
- Season well with salt and pepper.
- Bake potatoes on baking sheet for about 45 minutes in a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pro Tips
- Potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
- By baking at a higher temperature they bake faster and the skin is crispier.
- This recipe is for four potatoes. If you want to bake more potatoes, you may need to increase the bake time.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, cut in half and microwave in intervals until hot throughout. You can also cut into cubes and reheat on the stove top to make home fries.
You’ve got to try this method for baking potatoes this week. You will be amazed when you realize you can make baked potatoes so easily even on a busy weeknight.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Baked Potato
Restaurant quality Baked Potatoes that are light and fluffy with a crispy, salty skin!
Video
Ingredients
- 4 large Russet Potatoes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash and dry the potatoes. Pierce the potato several times with a fork.
- Place olive oil in bowl. Roll potatoes in oil.
- In a small container mix together salt and pepper. Rub salt and pepper all over the potatoes.
- Place potatoes on baking sheet and bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes pierce easily with a fork. Exact baking time may differ depending on size of potatoes.
- Serve with butter, cheese, chives, sour cream or any of your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1potato, Calories: 301kcal (15%), Carbohydrates: 39g (13%), Protein: 5g (10%), Fat: 15g (23%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Sodium: 1174mg (51%), Potassium: 902mg (26%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin C: 12mg (15%), Calcium: 32mg (3%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
How To Serve Baked Potatoes
Looking for a main dish to serve with your crispy-skinned Baked Potatoes? Instant Pot Ribs start in the pressure cooker and finish off with your favorite BBQ sauce under the broiler. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is one of our family favorite fish dishes for a meatless meal. I also recommend giving a classic like BBQ Baked Chicken Drumsticks a go in the oven, you will not be disappointed. Grilled BBQ Tenderloin has a secret ingredient that will wow everyone at the dinner crowd.
More Great Side Dishes
- No one can ever get enough of Crack Potatoes. Bacon bits, cheese and ranch really elevate a regular ol’ potato.
- Frozen veggies make prepping Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole and getting it onto the table a breeze.
- Grilled BBQ Bacon Twice Baked Potatoes can be started in the microwave so your house doesn’t heat up.
- Mom’s Cottage Potatoes are the classic potato casserole you’re after to bring to a family potluck.
Carolyn Beck says
Can you do potatoes in the air fryer?
Courtney says
I do have an air fryer baked potato recipe!
https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/air-fryer-baked-potatoes/
sharon says
Very nice way to do baked potatoes
Julie Evink says
Glad you enjoyed it Sharon! Thanks for rating and commenting on the recipe!
Malinda Linnebur says
These are restaurant quality baked potatoes!! My whole family just raved about them!!
Julie says
So soft and fluffy!
Danielle Green says
These look like the ultimately perfect baked potatoes! Clarifying why not to use tin foil is a super tip along with the others!
Julie says
I use to do it all wrong! Skip the foil!
Gina says
These tips really do make the best baked potato!
Julie says
I will never go back to the way I used to make them!
Jessica Formicola says
This is our go to baked potato recipe! They come out perfect every time. Thanks so much for sharing!
Julie says
You’re welcome!
Mary says
This is the way to go about making a serious baked potato. The outside is crispy and a cross between a chip and a fry. The inside is heaven. Soft and fluffy like buttery clouds. Thank you for this, it’s the only way I will ever make a baked potato again. Served them for dinner and no one could stop eating them. The potato was so large they ate the potato and I put everything else in the fridge for leftovers tomorrow. I will not make the potatoes again until the leftovers are gone or they will never be eaten. Best baked potato we’ve ever eaten. This really deserves 10 stars. Who would have thought some holes and some Olive oil and salt and pepper could make such a difference. Try it and you’ll never go back.
Julie says
Hi Mary – thank you so much for the review! I’m so happy you and your family enjoyed them!
Nancy says
These were phenomenal! I made them tonight. My husband just loved it. The man doesn’t love anything, so I take that as high praise! I mean how many baked potatoes have I cooked over the years, and I never thought to rub the skins in olive oil and salt and pepper. The skin was nice and crunchy and so flavorful, and the inside was so creamy. This will be the only way we’ll make baked potatoes from now on. I served them with Julie’s Mini Meatloaves, which were also quite delicious. it was a “Julie’s Eats and Treats evening.” Thanks so much!!!
Julie says
That is SO awesome! I’m glad it was a hit for you AND your husband. Thank you so much for the review!