Name: Baked Potato
Yield: 4

The secret to the best Baked Potato Recipe? Cut the potatoes in half before roasting. You’ll get golden, caramelized edges and the fluffiest centers in half the time.

The Best Baked Potato Recipe

We’re all about potatoes at my house, and there’s nothing easier than loading up a baked potato and calling it dinner—with a side of Italian salad, of course!

It’s even better when the potato cooks in 35 minutes instead of an hour. The trick? Cut the potatoes in half before baking. I use this method for sweet potatoes too, and it works evenly with Yukons and Russets. The edges caramelize, the skin gets crispy, and the inside is soft and fluffy.

Quick Tip

Wrapping potatoes in foil is straightforward, but it has drawbacks. The foil traps moisture, causing the potatoes to steam instead of roast, leaving the skins soft instead of crispy. It also takes longer to cook, and some prefer not to bake with foil.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these straightforward Baked Potato Recipe:

Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes: These are great for a soft, fluffy inside and crispy outside. Yukon Gold is my personal favorite!
Olive oil: Helps make the skin crispy and keeps the inside moist. It also helps the seasoning stick.
Salt & Pepper: Brings out the flavor of the potatoes. Season both the flesh and skin.
skippable toppings: See below!

Featured Comment

“Consistently great every time! I make these at least 3x a week. Everyone raves about them and are shocked at how simple they are. I use yellow potatoes and they are fluffy inside and the cut side is crispy.”
– Irene

Topping This Baked Potato Recipe

Simple: Butter, salt, and pepper make a great side dish.
Add More Flavor: Top with sharp Cheddar, bacon, green onions or chives, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt).
Make it a Meal: Try a Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potato or add a few scoops of slow cooker Chili.
Taco Style: Top with taco meat, Cheddar cheese, lime, and sour cream.
Sloppy Joe: Use the filling from my Sloppy Joe recipe.
BBQ: Add leftover BBQ Pulled Pork or chicken.
Vegetarian: Baked beans and Cheddar cheese make it a full meal!

For a crowd, set up a baked potato bar! Just bake the potatoes, lay out all the toppings, and let everyone pick their favorites!

Halved potatoes being prepared for baking with fork piercings, an oil rub, and a seasoning of salt and pepper, positioned cut-side-down on a baking pan.

How to Bake Potatoes in the Oven

Wash and Cut: Clean the potato, dry it, and cut it in half.
Poke: Pierce the skin 3-4 times with a fork.
Add Oil: Drizzle oil over the potatoes.
Rub Oil: Rub the oil on both sides.
Season: Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
Bake: Place the potatoes cut-side-down and bake.

Storage

Leftovers?

Store: Let the baked potatoes cool, then wrap each one in foil or plastic wrap. Put them in an airtight container or bag and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheat: Unwrap and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes.