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    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Sides Dishes and Salads > Vegetable Sides

    How to Bake a Potato

    Published: Dec 13, 2022 · Modified: Dec 14, 2022 by Melissa · 58 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    The top photo is of a baked potato cut open with parsley on top, then the words "the best baked potatoes" in the middle, with a photo of oil being brushed onto a potato on the bottom
    Photo of a baked potato cut open with butter and parsley on top with the words "perfect baked potatoes" written on the top
    Photo of a baked potato cut open with parsley on top with the words "the best baked potatoes" written on the top
    Photo of a baked potato cut open with butter and parsley on top with the words "the perfect baked potato" written on the top

    If you’ve been searching for the perfect method for how to bake a potato, I’m delighted to bring you my guide for making a perfectly baked potato with a fluffy center and a crispy, salty skin.

    Here are a few of my favorite potatoe recipes: Classic Scalloped Potatoes, Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup and Twice-Baked Potatoes with Bacon.

    close up view of baked potato with baked potatoes in the background

    You may not think baking potatoes is rocket science, but I will say it’s somewhat of an art that not everyone is aware of! That’s why I wanted to collect and share my best tips for how to bake a potato to perfection -- we don’t want any dry, crumbly insides or mushy skins up in here. In fact, I firmly believe the *perfect* baked potato has a slightly crispy and salty exterior with a fluffy, moist inside.

    Ingredients:

    • Potatoes: grab your favorite Russet or Idaho potatoes for this recipe, you can use what you like best but Russet potatoes are known for being extra fluffy inside.
    • Olive Oil: you'll use this to brush the outside of the potatoes, it helps the skin to crisp up
    • Salt: I like to use a nice flaky salt for this recipe like kosher salt, but use what you like or have on hand
    • Toppings for your potato: you can use whatever you like here. We love baked potatoes with butter, green onions or chives, more salt, and I'll even turn them into the meal by putting cheese and broccoli and/or adding chili to the potatoes.

    How to Make a Baked Potato:

    1. So easy! Wash up your potatoes and dry them off.
    2. Brush them with oil and give them a good layer of salt.
    3. DO NOT wrap the potatoes in foil. Just place them on your baking sheet.
    4. Bake and then enjoy!
    Potato being brushed with oil by pastry brush

    What does a perfectly baked potato look like?

    The interior should be entirely fluffy and light, while the skin needs to be crispy and salty, but not burnt. (It’s a fine line!)

    What is the best type of potatoes for baking?

    Russets are generally considered the best potato for baking because of their thick skin that can get nice and crisp and their high starch content, which lends to that great fluffy texture inside that we want.

    Four photo collage of baked potatoes. The first photo is of four potatoes. The second photo is of a fork poking a potato. The third photo is of oil being brushed onto a potato. The last photo is of the baked potato being cut open.

    Do I have to prick the skin of the potato?

    I’ve never personally experienced a potato exploding if you don’t prick it, but I do think it helps some of the moisture to escape. (UPDATE January 2020, I TOTALLY hade a baked potato EXLPODE!!!! I take back what I said, POKE THOSE POTATOES, it was a mess to clean up and I'm just grateful it happened when the oven door was shut!)

    Why shouldn’t I just stick the potato in the microwave?

    Microwaves are good for reheating food, but they heat very unevenly, causing the heat to get too high and pressure to build. The potato cell walls actually burst and release starch molecules that glue together the broken cell walls. (See? It IS a little more science than you’d think!) This results in an unevenly cooked potato that is gummy in the middle. Yuck. So, it can be done in a pinch, but I wouldn’t recommend for all the time.

    top view of baked potatoes with butter on board with knife

    Why do you skip the foil?

    Foil will trap the heat in and essentially steam the potato instead of roasting it. And trust me, you want it roasted because that’s what crisps up the skin and makes it SO good.

    Why don’t you brush the oil on the potato before baking it?

    Just like foil, oil acts as a barrier and the steam won’t be able to release the same. By adding the oil after the potato is cooked, and then baking it for 10 more minutes, you end up with the most delicious skin that is crisp but not burnt. I also recommend not using butter because the water in butter makes the skin soggy instead of crisp, and butter burns easier at high temperatures.

    top view of baked potatoes cut open

    What if I want to bake my potatoes with another dish?

    Such a great question! I do this all the time. I’ll often make a pan of my favorite chicken leg recipe and bake the potatoes alongside it. Just bake the potatoes until they register between 205 to 212 degrees F. on the inside, add your oil, and bake for 10 more minutes. You can easily check the internal temperature with a cheap instant-read thermometer.

    How long do you bake a potato? What temperature do you bake potatoes at?

    If your potatoes are medium sized, about 5 to 8 ounces, here’s about how long you bake them at varying temperatures:

    45 minutes at 400 degrees F.
    60 minutes at 350 degrees F.
    90 minutes at 325 degrees F.

    close up view of baked potato with baked potatoes in the background

    Other baked potato recipes you'll love:

    • Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
    • Twice-Baked Potatoes with Bacon
    • Loaded Baked Potato Dip
    • The Perfect Steakhouse Baked Potato
    • Unique Ideas for Cooking Baked Potatoes (oven, instant pot, slow cooker and more!)
    • Easy Baked Potato Corn Chowder
    • How to Cook Potatoes in the Oven

    Baked Potatoes go great with these easy dinner recipes:

    • The Best Baked Chicken Legs
    • 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
    • The Best Oven Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Brown Sugar and Garlic Grilled Pork Tenderloin
    • Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Chops
    • The BEST Baked Chicken Breast

    If you’ve tried this baked potato recipe or any other recipe on Bless this Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.

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    close up view of baked potato with baked potatoes in the background

    How to bake a potato


    ★★★★★

    4.4 from 10 reviews

    • Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: Serves 4
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    If you're wondering how to bake a potato, this post is exactly what you need! This is your ultimate guide to making a perfectly baked potato with a fluffy center & a crispy skin.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 4 Potatoes (about 5-8 ounces each)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Salt

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash and scrub your potatoes clean. Poke each potato with a fork a few times to allow steam to release while cooking.
    2. Place potatoes directly on a baking rack set inside a baking sheet and place them in the oven.
    3. Bake until the center of the potato reaches between 205 and 212 degrees. This will be roughly 35-45 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.
    4. Remove from the oven and use a pastry brush to coat each potato in a thin coat of olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and then flip them over and brush the other side with oil and sprinkle with salt.
    5. Bake the potatoes for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the skin.
    6. Remove the potatoes from the oven, cut a small X on the top of each potato and then using two hands (be careful, they are hot), gently press the potatoes inward so that they "bloom" from the X.
    7. Enjoy right away with your favorite toppings.

    Notes

    • These were medium sized potatoes that came in a 10 pound bag. If you are using the large "baking" potatoes, be sure to add at least a half an hour, if not more, to the cooking time.
    • Table salt, kosher salt, and sea salt (fine to coarse) all work well here. I like a mix of fine and coarse sea salt on the outside.
    • Not committed to putting the tater directly on a oven rack? Stick a wire baking wrack inside of a rimmed baking sheet and let the potatoes cook on the rack. Last option, line a baking sheet with foil and bake on the baking sheet.
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Category: Side
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: how long to bake a potato, how to bake a potato, easy baked potatoes recipe, temperature for baked potatoes, how long do I bake a potato, baked potato time and temp, best baked potato recipe, perfect baked potato

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    Photo of a baked potato cut open with butter and parsley on top with the words "the perfect baked potato" written on the top

    Don’t you feel like a baked potato master?! Now you have everything you need to know about how to bake a potato to perfection to get a nice and fluffy inside with a crispy and delicious skin!

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    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Nashara D Hadnot

      October 15, 2020 at 11:12 pm

      Just made these today and they came out perfect! Thanks

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Megan

      February 04, 2020 at 4:12 pm

      They were still hard. I followed all directions to the letter. Just another baked potato recipe to throw in the “doesn’t work” pile.

      ★

      Reply
      • Melissa

        February 04, 2020 at 5:16 pm

        You baked a medium potato for 45-55 minutes and it was still hard? Something is off on your end friend...

    3. Remelem

      July 23, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      I have never gotten baked potatoes to work for me. This worked! And it was so tasty. Thank you so much!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa

        July 23, 2019 at 9:51 pm

        Yay! So simple and so good right?! I feel the same way, this method is kind of magical!

    4. Alex Montoya

      October 13, 2018 at 11:17 am

      I am going to try this recipe today. My brother in law mentioned that aluminum foil is toxic when cooked. Is that right?

      Reply
    5. Sharris

      July 09, 2018 at 2:51 pm

      Place potatoes directly on a baking rack set inside a baking sheet and place them in the oven.
      This is step 2. Does that mean you put the potatoes on a rack and put the baking sheet on the rack underneath?

      Reply
      • Melissa

        July 09, 2018 at 3:31 pm

        The rack, in the pan, with a tater on top. It just helps the air to flow around the potatoes and to catch any drips!

    6. RavenLenore

      May 28, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      I love this recipe. I have been using Himalayan salt with the olive oil and it’s delicious.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        May 29, 2018 at 7:32 am

        Sounds perfect! Thank you for sharing your tips with us.

    7. P.j .

      May 03, 2018 at 7:04 am

      First class spuds

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Karen Vasquez

      February 21, 2018 at 6:25 pm

      We are having a Chili cook-off in the office and for those not making chili we were asked to bring in toppings. I thought why not make potatoes to top with chili. Growing up, my Mom always made red potatoes and cooked them in the oven right on the rake. I was stressed out about cooking russet potatoes and in foil to make what I thought was the more common way of serving them. Based on your recipe and advice, I'm going with the russets potatoes with no foil. Thank you for the directions. I couldn't understand the waste of the foil or how it helped the potato cook.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Ella Wilson

      February 04, 2018 at 7:56 pm

      A well done, superbly delicate potato is the perfect side dish to numerous a feast. However, preparing a potato however evidently basic won't generally yield the best outcomes if done inaccurately.

      Reply
    10. Lauren Estrada

      February 03, 2018 at 8:26 pm

      Awesome baked potato. Do this.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Gene

      January 09, 2018 at 6:43 pm

      Absolutely perfect. Steakhouse quality baked potatoes. Would probably use instaread or continuous thermometry on really big ones. We used Kosher salt

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Ardelle

      January 06, 2018 at 10:19 am

      I love to make baked potatoes and have traditionally used foil. I like the way these potatoes turned out, it is easy to squeeze the potato open to fill, and I too make "stuffed baked potatoes" sometimes I go crazy with a little bacon and sour cream. I know it ruins a good healthful food but we sure like them! I use broccoli but have wondered if another veggie goes as well?

      Reply
    13. Grannybee

      December 03, 2017 at 1:01 am

      My oh my this is not a new way of baking potatoes been doing it 50 years plus. Never used foil & didn’t have a microwave until the 80’s tried it & went back to traditional method.

      Reply
    14. Jeremy

      November 23, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      So, do they go directly on the rack, or do they go into a baking sheet. Step #2 says both.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        November 25, 2017 at 9:04 am

        You set them on a rack IN a baking sheet. So set a cooling wrap in your baking sheet and then set them on the cooling rack so that they are off the pan but have the pan underneath to catch any drips. You could also set them on your oven rack with a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drips. Both work! I just find it easier to get them in and out of the oven on a rack inside a pan.

    15. Carmen

      November 09, 2017 at 6:42 pm

      Love these baked potatoes! So nice you don’t even have to wrap them in foil. Our family loves these potatoes as a main dish. (I get large potatoes) We are happy with just butter, sour cream, cheese and a little salt & pepper! Thanks for the recipe ?

      Reply
    16. Karl Egner

      October 25, 2017 at 6:12 pm

      I do mine the same way except I use garlic salt instead of kosher. It just gives an added bonus of flavor.

      Reply
    17. Vivian Pilger

      September 04, 2017 at 7:00 pm

      I poke a two pronged fork through each russet potato. Then I rub real butter all over them (generously). Then I put salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder in a zip bag. I then put the buttered potato in the bag and roll it gently until it's surface is coated with the mix. I then place them on foil in a cookie pan and bake at about 400° until done. When done and slightly cooled, cut horizontally in half, scoop out the fluffy potato. Then put a pat of butter in the scooped out skin, squish the open end shut and massage a bit for the butter inside to melt evenly. Wait a few minutes while you add your toppings to the fluffy potato that was scooped out. Then open the skin and add salt and pepper to your liking, close again and eat "sandwich style". You can also add your favorite cheese when adding the pat of butter if you like. It like two meals in one. Very tasty.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        September 05, 2017 at 5:33 am

        Sounds SUPER good! Can't wait to try it, thank you for sharing.

    18. Tanaya Booth

      August 08, 2017 at 7:46 am

      One word -Outstanding. Thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa

        August 08, 2017 at 8:34 am

        Thanks for the 5 star review Tanaya! Happy potato eating to you friend!

    19. Benjamin Ehinger

      August 07, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      So simple, yet so delicious! Love how the skin comes out crispy and the inside remains soft and warm!

      Reply
    20. Gayle

      December 04, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      Does this method work for sweet potatoe too?

      Reply
      • Melissa

        December 05, 2016 at 6:00 am

        The skin doesn't quite act the same, it kind of dries up and I don't love to eat it (I don't normally eat the sweet potato skin anyways, it just too tough for me), but they are delicious cooked like this and the flesh scoops right out. I love making sweet potatoes like this.

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    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

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