If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food that’s simple, endlessly customizable, and always satisfying, look no further than Baked Potatoes. With their perfectly crispy skins and fluffy, steamy interiors, they make the ideal base for just about any topping your heart desires! Whether you enjoy them plain with a pat of melty butter or loaded to the brim with cheese, chives, and bacon, these oven-baked potatoes have earned their spot as a go-to side or even a main at family dinners and casual gatherings alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of baked potatoes is in their simplicity—just a handful of staple ingredients come together to deliver maximum flavor and texture. Each ingredient pulls its own weight, ensuring your potatoes are memorable every single time.

Russet Potatoes: Their thick skins crisp up beautifully in the oven, while the insides stay fluffy and light—perfection for baked potatoes.
Olive Oil: A light rub of olive oil ensures golden crispness and seals in moisture.
Kosher Salt: This gives each potato a gorgeously salty crust that’s simply irresistible.
Black Pepper: Just a touch adds a warm, peppery bite that enhances the flavor.
Butter: For that classic melt-in-your-mouth finish—never skip the butter!
Sour Cream: Creamy, tangy, and cooling, it’s a classic topping for hot baked potatoes.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: A sprinkle melts beautifully into the warm potato, adding a savory richness.
Chopped Chives: These lend a fresh and mild oniony bite that balances the richness of other toppings.
Cooked Bacon Bits (optional): Make your potatoes “loaded” with crisp, smoky bacon for extra indulgence.

How to Make Baked Potatoes

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it heats, give your potatoes a thorough scrub under running water to remove any dirt—since the skins are a major highlight of Baked Potatoes, you want them spotless. Pat each potato dry with a paper towel to make sure the skins crisp up in the oven.

Step 2: Prick and Oil

Using a fork, poke each potato several times all over. Not only does this help steam escape during baking (so no explosions!), it also ensures even cooking. Next, rub each potato generously with olive oil—the secret to those golden, irresistible skins—then sprinkle them all over with kosher salt and a little black pepper.

Step 3: Into the Oven

Place the oiled and seasoned potatoes directly on your oven rack for the crispest results, or use a baking sheet lined with foil if you prefer easier cleanup. Let them bake for 45 to 60 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the skins are audibly crisp and a fork slides into the center with no resistance.

Step 4: Fluff and Top

Once out of the oven, slice into each potato lengthwise. Give the insides a good fluff with a fork to prepare a pillowy-soft center that’ll soak up your toppings. Now comes the fun part—dollop on butter, swipe on sour cream, scatter cheese, sprinkle with chives, and if you’re feeling adventurous, throw on some bacon bits. Serve your Baked Potatoes hot and steamy, right from the oven.

How to Serve Baked Potatoes

Garnishes

There’s something magical about watching a pad of butter melt into a piping hot potato, especially when it’s joined by a cloud of sour cream and cascading cheddar cheese. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chives and, if you love a bit of crunch and saltiness, crispy bacon bits take it over the top. Don’t shy away from experimenting with other favorites like chopped green onions, a dash of hot sauce, or even roasted veggies.

Side Dishes

While baked potatoes can truly stand on their own, they shine even brighter alongside hearty mains like roast chicken, grilled steak, or classic meatloaf. For lighter meals, pair with a crisp salad or a comforting bowl of soup. These potatoes are also a hit at potlucks and BBQs, harmonizing with almost anything on the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not set up a baked potato bar? Arrange all the toppings in bowls and let everyone build their own dream spud—guests young and old love this! For a fun twist, slice potatoes into wedges post-bake and serve “loaded potato boats,” or scoop and mash the insides, mix with cheese and bacon, then refill the skins for twice-baked excellence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Baked Potatoes, allow them to cool to room temperature before storing. Wrap them individually in foil or place them in an airtight container—this way, they’ll stay moist without absorbing fridge odors. Stored properly, they’ll keep for up to four days.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze baked potatoes for future meals, making them a fantastic make-ahead side. Once cooled, wrap each potato tightly in both plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. For best quality, use within a month. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat baked potatoes in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes until warmed through and the skins crisp back up. If you’re short on time, the microwave renders them nice and hot in just a couple minutes—just know the skin won’t be quite as crispy.

FAQs

Can I make baked potatoes in advance for a crowd?

Absolutely! Baked potatoes are a hands-off side for entertaining. Simply bake them a few hours beforehand, and keep them warm in a low oven (around 200°F) until serving. Add your toppings just before bringing them to the table for best results.

Should I wrap potatoes in foil when baking?

For Baked Potatoes with perfectly crisp skins, avoid foil! Directly baking on the oven rack gives the best results. Foil can trap moisture and yield a softer skin—unless you prefer that texture, skip the wrap.

What are the best potatoes to use?

Russet potatoes are king for baked potatoes thanks to their high starch content and thick skins, but you can try Yukon Golds for a naturally buttery flavor and creamy interior. Avoid waxy varieties, which tend to be denser and less fluffy.

Can I use another type Side Dish

Definitely! While olive oil gives great flavor and crispiness, you can swap in vegetable oil, canola oil, or even avocado oil. Just be sure to coat the skins well for the best results.

Are baked potatoes gluten-free and vegetarian?

Yes, the basic recipe for baked potatoes is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of diets. Just check your toppings if following a specific lifestyle or dietary need.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so comforting and endlessly customizable about Baked Potatoes that brings everyone to the table—whether for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. I hope you’ll try this classic recipe and make it your own with your favorite toppings. Here’s to fluffy insides, crispy skins, and the simple joy of a perfect baked potato!

Baked Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 5 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make delicious and comforting baked potatoes with crispy skins and a fluffy interior. Top them with your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon for the perfect side dish or light meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes:

4 large russet potatoes

Seasoning:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Toppings:

butter
sour cream
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped chives
cooked bacon bits (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Prepare the potatoes: Scrub and dry the potatoes, poke them with a fork, rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Bake the potatoes: Bake for 45-60 minutes until crispy outside and tender inside.
Finish and serve: Slice open the potatoes, fluff the insides, and top with desired toppings. Serve hot.

Notes

For extra crispy skins, bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack without foil.
Leftover baked potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American