How to make baked potatoes? Delicious recipe you need to know

Are you thinking about cooking a delicious lunch or dinner? Today you’ll discover how to make baked potatoes. Yes, this is an option that everyone at your table will love. 

This doesn’t mean it’s difficult or very complicated to prepare. On the contrary, many people underestimate it because the process is really simple.

However, the final result will surprise you. 

We assure you that you only need to follow our basic recipe, which you can later combine with delicious fillings. Don’t worry! Here, you’ll have the step-by-step guide. 

This way, you’ll always want to discover new flavors. Keep reading and don’t miss our tips and secrets. Oven-baked potatoes are irresistible! 

4 Tips to Know How to Make Baked Potatoes 

There’s a big difference between good oven-baked potatoes and great oven-baked potatoes. Can you imagine what we’re talking about? 

The first option is a dish that won’t stay in your memory. But the second one will be unforgettable. These are the potatoes that have an incredibly golden and crispy skin. 

The same ones that, when you take a bite, you feel the perfect touch of salt. Want more details? The inside is fluffy, light, and steaming; ready to combine with the sides you desire. 

To reach this scenario, follow these 4 tips that are invaluable.

1. Bake at High Temperature 

The baking of your potatoes should meet two characteristics. First, it has to be at high temperature and for a prolonged time. 

Specifically, we’re talking about 450° and about an hour of cooking. Attention! If you choose a lower temperature, you’ll regret it. 

You’ll have a potato with wrinkled, leathery, and hard skin. Now, you’ll know it’s cooked when it has an internal temperature between 200° and 205°. 

We have a great trick! Bake the potato in two stages. How? 

The first time, leave it in the oven for 20 minutes, the skin will start to wrinkle and dry. 

Remove, brush with melted butter or oil, sprinkle with coarse salt, and return for 40 more minutes or until the inside is soft and yields under pressure.

2. Use Versatile Ingredients for Seasoning 

Mastering the recipe for how to make baked potatoes also requires using the right seasonings. 

Although this is a dish that accepts a wide variety of ingredients, there are 4 elements that shouldn’t be missing. First, try to choose Russet potatoes. 

Can they be others? Yes, but this variety is special because its skin is thick and the inside is starchy. Get butter. This influences the crunchiness and flavor of the skin. 

Likewise, it makes it well golden and tempting. Don’t cook with butter? Then opt for olive oil, avocado oil, or any other that works well, even under high heat. 

Two essentials are missing! One is coarse Kosher salt, as it will add that crunchy texture we want to the potato skins.

And finally, freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor.

3. Cut Lengthwise to Make It Fluffy and Light 

Right after you take them out of the oven, make sure the steam escapes. 

How? Cut lengthwise from end to end, so the entire inside becomes fluffy, light, and steamy. Without a doubt, when you see it, you’ll want to eat it. 

But don’t stop there. After making the incision, gently squeeze to remove the pulp. 

At that precise moment, your creativity should come into play to incorporate the filling you like best. To finish, brush with olive oil. 

Prefer a restaurant secret? Use bacon or duck fat for an amazing finish.

4. Store in the Fridge for Up to 5 Days 

You already know how to make baked potatoes, now we’ll tell you how to store them. 

Although it’s ideal to eat them instantly, it’s viable to prepare them in advance to have them at any time of the day. Let them cool completely. 

Then, put them in an airtight container. Make sure it’s metal or glass. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator. 

With this technique, they’ll stay in perfect condition for about 5 days. To reheat, take them out and let them return to room temperature. 

Bake at 450° for about 15 minutes or reheat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. 

How to Make Baked Potatoes? Basic Recipe Plus 4 Fillings 

As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, we bring you the base recipe for oven-baked potatoes.

You’ll learn how to prepare them, what you need, and how long it will take. 

The result, with nothing extra, is very tasty. However, we’ll then show you 5 filling suggestions that will enhance this initial preparation.

 Ingredients 

• 1 Russet potato (or as many as you want), medium to large, washed. 
• 1 or 2 teaspoons of melted butter (or olive or avocado oil). 
• Pinch of coarse Kosher salt. 
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper. 

Instructions

• Preheat the oven before starting any other step. Set it to 450°.
• Cover a baking sheet with aluminum or parchment paper. Do you have a cooling rack? Then, put it on top of the sheet.
• Start preparing the potato. Poke holes all over with a fork or knife and place it on the sheet.
• Bake for the first time, for about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove and brush with melted butter or the oil of your choice. Use a pastry brush to make sure the entire surface is coated with the fat.
• Sprinkle with Kosher salt and pepper.
• Bake for a second time for about 30 minutes.
• After this period, put on an oven mitt and gently squeeze. If the inside is soft, remove from the oven. If not, apply 5-minute cycles in the oven until the pulp yields.
• Cut lengthwise and press to open.
• Serve with the accompaniments you like best.

4 Fillings You Must Try 

Want to make your oven-baked potatoes even more fun? Here are 4 fillings that will delight your palate.

1. Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream 

Mix butter, sour cream, scallions, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Place this mixture inside the potato and add more cheese. 

Return to the oven for 5 minutes and let everything melt. To serve, top with more bacon and scallions.

2. Ham and Cheese 

Cut three or four slices of ham into small cubes and one or two cups of yellow cheese. Open the potato and spread this combination throughout. 

Return to the oven for two to 3 minutes and finish with some chopped chives.

3. Bacon 

This ingredient is very versatile. On one hand, you just need to toast it and spread it on the potato.

On the other hand, it serves as a bonus to the previous filling. It also tastes delicious with white cheese.

4. Garlic 

Prepare a mojo with fresh and dried herbs. Use parsley, cilantro, oregano, and all the herbs you have on hand. Add garlic. How much? As many cloves as you want. 

Add a splash of oil and mix. Drizzle over the potato and it’s ready.

6 Frequently Asked Questions About Making Oven-Baked Potatoes 

Do you have any questions about this recipe? Here are the most popular queries about how to make oven-baked potatoes. 

1. Is there a vegan option for oven-baked potatoes? 

Of course! Just replace the butter with any oil that works at high heat. 

Do you have vegan butter? It’s an excellent alternative.

2. I don’t have an oven, can I use the microwave? 

Yes, you can. The difference is that the potato skin won’t be crispy and the pulp won’t be fluffy. For this reason, it’s more recommended to bake them. 

3. I don’t have an oven, but I do have an air fryer. Can I use it? 

This is an excellent variant of the recipe. Follow all the previous steps, but this time, cook the potatoes at 400° for 40 minutes. 

4. Is it a good idea to prepare sweet potatoes with this same method? 

Yes. However, remember that sweet potatoes have a different cooking time due to their texture. Also, determine the preparation time and temperature according to the size and variety. 

5. Is it necessary to wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil? 

Definitely not. For the skin to be crispy as we like, it should remain uncovered during exposure to heat. 

6. What if I don’t have coarse kosher salt? 

Don’t worry! Choose fine sea salt. Regular seasoned salt also works.

Did You Learn How to Make Oven-Baked Potatoes? 

This is a great moment to combine creativity with your culinary talent. Undoubtedly, you have a versatile and flexible recipe on the table that’s just waiting for your ingenuity. 

How about offering a bowl of your oven-baked potatoes with all the fillings we’ve taught you around it?

You might even think of adding some delicious guacamole, black beans, chili, or broccoli with cheese. The options are endless. 

You’ll have fun from the moment you start planning the steps until you see all your guests eating and enjoying them. 

Now that you know how to make baked potatoes, dare to prepare your favorite recipe and tell us how they turned out.