This baked potato has a crisp, golden skin and a light and fluffy inside a perfect baked potato. If desired, top with a dollop of sour cream. Excellent comfort food!
If you’ve been looking for the perfect baked potato everyone will enjoy, look no further! This baked potato recipe produces a crispy baked potato on the outside but fluffy on the inside — just like the ideal baked potato.
Furthermore, it is made with only a few simple ingredients you will likely already have. What could be better than that? Make a copy of this recipe for every potluck, barbecue, and weeknight dinner!
How to Make Baked Potatoes
The best part about this recipe is how simple it is! The full recipe is included below, but here’s what to expect when making the perfect baked potato:
Season the Potatoes
To begin, rinse and scrub the potatoes. Then, using a fork or knife, pierce each potato to allow steam to escape while baking. Next, coat the potato with olive oil (you can use your hands to rub it all over the skin or place the potato and oil in a zip-top bag and shake it up) and season with salt.
Bake the Potatoes
Bake in a 300 degree F oven until the potatoes are tender and golden brown, about 90 minutes.
Top Potatoes
Slice the potatoes and fluff the center. Then top with black pepper, butter, Cheddar cheese, chives, sour cream, or anything else you like.
How Long to Bake Potatoes
The baking time for baked potatoes will depend on the size of the potatoes. It can take anywhere between 50 minutes and 1 ½ hours.
You’ll know the baked potato is done when you can stick a fork in the potato and it easily pierces through the skin. If the potato is still hard in the middle, keep baking it for a little longer.
When in doubt, pull out your digital thermometer baked potatoes are done when they have an internal temperature of 210 degrees F.
How to Top Baked Potatoes
The great thing about baked potatoes is that they’re so versatile! You can top them with as many or as few toppings as you want (there’s nothing wrong with a plain spud).
We like adding butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon, and chili to our baked potatoes. So allow your imagination to run wild!
How to Store Baked Potatoes
Refrigerate any leftover baked potatoes in a metal or glass pan covered with plastic wrap or foil.
When it’s time to reheat the baked potato, bake it for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. You can also reheat it in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes (covered with a damp paper towel).
Ingredients
- 1 baking potato, medium
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 12 teaspoons of salt
- 2 teaspoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 14 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 300° F. (150 degrees C). Scrub the potato and pierce the skin with a knife or fork several times. Rub olive oil into the skin, then salt.
- Place the potato in a preheated oven and bake for 90 minutes or until slightly soft and golden brown. Serve the potato sliced down the center with butter and black pepper. If desired, sprinkle with shredded Cheddar cheese on top.
Variation
Try slicing the very top of the potato off rather than slicing it in two, forming a ‘lid’ for a special treat. Scoop out the fluffy potato contents while leaving the skin on. In a mixing bowl, combine the potato, butter, grated cheese, and black pepper, then spoon the mixture back into the skin. Serve with the lid replaced.
Learn more: Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Recipe