Published By: Julia Pacheco

Rating: 5/5 (2 votes)

Summary: Achieve perfectly baked potatoes with a crispy exterior and a light, fluffy interior. This easy recipe is a fantastic base for all sorts of delicious toppings. It’s simple, versatile, and sure to become a family favorite!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 4

Ingredients for the Best Baked Potato

• 5-10 medium Russet potatoes (select potatoes of similar size for even cooking)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
• 1.5 tablespoons garlic salt (adjust to taste)

Tips for Choosing Potatoes:

Russet potatoes are the classic choice for baked potatoes due to their high starch content, which results in a fluffy interior. Other varieties like Yukon Gold or Idaho potatoes can also be used, but the texture will be slightly different.

How to Make the Perfect Baked Potato

1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This makes cleanup easier.
2. Prepare the Potatoes: Wash the potatoes thoroughly. There’s no need to peel them, as the skin becomes deliciously crispy.
3. Season the Potatoes: Place the potatoes on the lined baking sheet. Drizzle each potato with olive oil, ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle generously with garlic salt, making sure all sides are seasoned. You can also add other seasonings like black pepper, paprika, or herbs.
4. Bake the Potatoes: Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 45-65 minutes. The cooking time depends on the size of the potatoes. Test for doneness by piercing the potato with a fork. It should be soft and easily pierced.
5. Cool and Serve: Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly before handling. Cut them open and fluff the insides with a fork.
6. Add Your Favorite Toppings: Enjoy your perfectly baked potatoes with your favorite toppings! See suggestions below.

Tips for Baking:

• Prick the Potatoes: Before baking, use a fork to prick the potatoes several times. This allows steam to escape and prevents them from bursting in the oven.
• Don’t Wrap in Foil: Avoid wrapping the potatoes in foil, as this steams them instead of baking them, resulting in a softer skin.
• Baking Stone or Sheet: Placing the potatoes directly on a baking stone or baking sheet helps to create a crispy bottom.

Delicious Topping Ideas for Baked Potatoes

• Classic Toppings: Butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, chives
• Hearty Toppings: Chili, pulled pork, cooked vegetables, beans
• Healthy Toppings: Greek yogurt, salsa, avocado, steamed broccoli
• Gourmet Toppings: Roasted garlic, caramelized onions, blue cheese, truffle oil

The possibilities are endless! Get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations to find your perfect baked potato creation.

Video Tutorial

Watch this video for a visual guide on how to make the best baked potatoes:

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories: 303kcal

Carbohydrates: 48g

Protein: 6g

Fat: 11g

Saturated Fat: 2g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g

Monounsaturated Fat: 8g

Sodium: 2630mg

Potassium: 1111mg

Fiber: 3g

Sugar: 2g

Vitamin A: 3IU

Vitamin C: 15mg

Calcium: 36mg

Iron: 2mg

Note: Nutrition information is an approximation and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Baking potatoes is a simple, satisfying, and healthy way to enjoy a versatile vegetable. With the right technique and your favorite toppings, you can transform a plain potato into a delicious and complete meal. Try this easy baked potato recipe today and elevate your side dish game!