This recipe guides you through making a perfectly baked potato with a crispy skin and fluffy interior. It’s a versatile side dish that can be customized with various toppings to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 large russet potato per person
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil) per potato
- Coarse sea salt (or kosher salt)
- Optional toppings: butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, chives, bacon bits, etc.
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- Prick Potatoes: Use a fork to prick each potato several times all over. This helps steam escape during baking and prevents the potato from bursting.
- Oil and Salt: Rub each potato with olive oil (or vegetable oil), ensuring it’s evenly coated. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt (or kosher salt).
- Bake: Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and a fork easily pierces the center of the potato. The baking time will depend on the size of the potatoes.
- Check Doneness: To check if the potatoes are done, gently squeeze them with an oven mitt. The potato should give slightly.
- Slice and Fluff: Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly. Using a sharp knife, make a slit lengthwise down the center of each potato. Gently press the ends of the potato to fluff the interior with a fork.
- Add Toppings: Add your desired toppings, such as butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, chives, bacon bits, etc.
- Serve: Serve the baked potatoes immediately.
Tips and Notes:
- Potato Choice: Russet potatoes are ideal for baking due to their high starch content and thick skin.
- Crispy Skin: Rubbing the potatoes with oil and salt helps to achieve a crispy skin.
- Baking Time: Adjust the baking time based on the size of the potatoes. Smaller potatoes will cook faster.
- Oven Temperature: You can also bake the potatoes at 350°F (175°C) for a longer time, about 1.5-2 hours, for a softer skin.
- Microwave Shortcut: For a faster option, you can microwave the potatoes for 5-10 minutes before baking them in the oven. This will reduce the baking time.
- Foil Wrapping: While some people wrap potatoes in foil for baking, this can result in steamed potatoes rather than baked potatoes with crispy skin.
- Leftovers: Store leftover baked potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.