Perfect Baked Potato Recipe
The ultimate comfort food, the Perfect Baked Potato Recipe is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. With simple ingredients and endless topping possibilities, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love. Make it tonight for a satisfying meal!
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 Baking Potatoes Make sure they are all similar in size.
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt I prefer to use a coarser sea salt.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. This is an important first step to ensure your potatoes cook evenly and thoroughly.
- Scrub the potatoes under running water to remove all the dirt. It's essential to clean them well, as the skin is where the flavor is!
- Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. A dry surface helps the olive oil stick better and leads to crispier skin.
- Using a fork, carefully pierce the potatoes two to three times per side. This allows steam to escape during baking and prevents them from bursting.
- Brush the whole potato with olive oil, ensuring an even coating. This step is key to achieving that golden, crispy exterior.
- Sprinkle the tops with salt. Be generous, as it enhances the flavor and texture!
- Place them directly on the middle rack of the oven. A tip is to use a foil-lined baking sheet underneath to catch any drips.
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. They’re done when a fork can pierce them with little resistance.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. This cooling time makes them easier to handle when you’re ready to dig in!
Notes
- Tip 1: Run a knife lengthwise across the salted top, leaving about 1/2 inch on both sides.
- Tip 2: Using both hands, pinch each side of the potato.
- Tip 3: While pinching, push towards the center of the potato, forcing it to open up.
- Tip 4: Keep pushing and squeeze the fluffy insides up.
- Tip 5: Fill with any toppings you would like!