Perfect Baked Potato

This perfect baked potato with the amazing outer skin, stuffed with butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onion is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods.

Baked potatoes are amazing and loved by millions of people around the world. How can you go wrong with a perfect baked potato? The outside skin is crispy and dusted lightly with kosher salt that clings to it beautifully and elevates the flavor of the skin. The inside is fluffy and soft smothered with butter and sour cream. I am getting hungry just thinking about it. I have always been a huge fan of baked potatoes ever since I was little.

Once you bake it there are all sorts of toppings that you can put on it. Some of my favorites are cheddar cheese, salt and pepper, green onion, and of course real bacon.

It is a great side dish to go with a bacon-wrapped steak, air fryer chicken wings, ribs, etc. They are really easy to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

In order to make this perfect baked potato you just need a few ingredients:

• Potatoes – I always use a large Idaho Russet potato. But there are a variety of potatoes that you can use.
• Oil – I typically use olive oil or canola oil or vegetable oil, but you can use other oils as well if you like.
• Kosher Salt – This coarse salt helps make the outer skin flavorful. Flaky sea salt also works really well.

Toppings

There are a number of different toppings you can put on your perfect baked potato, here are some of my favorites:

• Butter
• Sour cream
• Chopped yellow onion
• Cheddar cheese
• Bacon, mmmm bacon
• Green onion
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step 2: How to make the perfect baked potato

First, preheat the oven to 350 F/176 C. Now wash and dry your potato or potatoes. Next poke holes in it with a fork. The reason why this is done is so the steam will be released while it bakes.

Step 3: Creating that perfect outer skin for your baked potato

The skin of an oven baked potato is one of my favorite parts when prepared this way. Place the potato in a bowl and then drizzle some oil on it. Next, make sure the potato is evenly coated with the oil, and then sprinkle on some kosher salt or another coarse salt.

The combination of salt and oil makes a wonderful outer skin after the potato is baked. You won’t want to leave this baked potato skin on the plate!

Set the potato or potatoes direct on the middle rack in your oven. Do not cover it with foil. For medium to large potatoes, it will take 75 to 90 minutes. You also might want to put a sheet pan on the rack beneath the potatoes to catch any oil that drips off.

Step 4: Fixings

Use tongs to remove the potato or potatoes from the oven. Place them on a plate or cutting board and allow them to cool for a few minutes.

Now slice a slit in the middle, lengthwise, of the potato. Grabbing each end of the potato squeeze inward a little bit which will cause the slit to open creating a nice cavity in the baked potato.

Then stuff that potato with your favorite toppings. Some popular toppings are butter, cheese, onion, and bacon. Now behold the perfect baked potato is ready to be eaten. Serve it up with a steak and a side of grilled asparagus or roasted Brussel sprouts and you have an amazing meal.

Or if you like this baked potato recipe can easily be a whole meal on its own, especially if you use a really large russet potato.

Enjoy!

How to store the baked potato?

You can store uneaten baked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. The leftovers make perfect twice-baked potatoes or hash browns. You can even just reheat them in the oven or in the microwave.

What is the best potato to use for baked potatoes?

In my opinion, the very best potato to use for baked potatoes is Idaho Russets. They are the classic potato of choice. But you can certainly experiment with the potatoes available to you and find out what you like the best.

Here are a few more recipes you may like:

Keto Granola Bars

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Crispy Onion Rings

Easy Homemade Tomato Soup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 12 votes

Perfect Baked Potato

One of my favorite comfort foods is a perfect baked potato. I love eating the outer skin along with all those wonderful toppings.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time1 hr 30 mins

Cooling time5 mins

Total Time1 hr 40 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon, buttery, cheese, crispy, easy

Servings: 1 Person

Calories: 522kcal

Author: Matt Taylor

Equipment

• Fork
• Bowl
• spoon
• Tongs
• Cutting board

Ingredients

• 1 large russet potato you can use other kinds
• 2 tsp of Olive oil you can use vegetable or canola (8ml)
• 1 pinch of kosher salt or any coarse salt

Toppings

• 1 tbsp butter 14g
• 2 tbsp sour cream 30g
• 1 tbsp chopped yellow onion 4g
• 2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese 12g
• 1 strip of bacon, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• a pinch of green onion

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 F/176 C. Set the rack in the middle position.
• Wash and dry your potatoes. Then poke holes in them with a fork.
• Place the potato or potatoes in a bowl and drizzle the oil on them. Make sure they are coated all over. Then sprinkle on the Kosher salt.
• Place the potatoes in the oven directly on the rack and bake for 75 to 90 minutes. Until they are soft when poked with a fork. The outer skin will be a little crispy/crunchy. You may put a sheet pan on the rack below the potatoes to catch any drippings if desired.
• Remove the potatoes with tongs and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then slit them lengthwise with a knife and press on the ends to open up the potato. Top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Video

Perfect Baked Potato - How to Make the Perfect Baked Potato

Notes

Note: The perfect baked potato’s nutritional facts will vary greatly depending on your toppings. The below facts represent the recipe as is. 

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