Get foiled again… and like it! With just a pat of butter, a sprinkle of sea salt, and garlic powder, you have a tasty side that goes with everything.
I always think of baked potatoes as a classy side. Maybe that’s because they always wear a jacket to dinner! (Okay, in order to get that joke, you need to know that baked potatoes are sometimes referred to as jacket potatoes. Got it? Moving on.)
I’m not kidding when I say that baked potatoes seem like pure class to me. I think it stems from when I was a kid and we would go out for dinner. While the kids’ meals always came with French fries, the parents’ fish or steak would be served with mashed or baked potatoes. At the time, I didn’t care (what kid doesn’t like fries!?), but now, in retrospect, yes, I would have liked the option of a baked potato with my chicken fingers. (I probably wouldn’t have taken them up on their offer, but still, it would have been nice to be asked.)
Nowadays, I rely on baked potatoes pretty heavily whenever I’m expecting dinner guests. They are simple to prepare and allow the diner to choose from a variety of fixings to produce a bespoke side. Check out the “Serving Suggestions” section for suggestions on what to add. In the meantime, get ready to bake!
Are Baked Potatoes Healthy?
Potatoes are a great source of energy in the form of carbs, plus they contain some fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. I add butter before baking, which increases the fat quotient, but it does make a big difference in terms of flavor.
As for particular diets, this recipe works for gluten-free and vegetarian diets and could be considered for a Whole30 or Paleo diet, provided you use ghee instead of butter. You’ll also want to make sure your garlic powder contains only dehydrated garlic and no other fillers. If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, feel free to use a plant-based butter.
What Type Of Potato Can I Use?
When a recipe calls for “baking” potatoes, it usually asks that you choose a potato that has the texture and flavor that will be enhanced when baked. And while you can use pretty much any type of potato for this recipe, some are more appropriate than others.
Russets, for example, are high in starch, which translates to fluffy potatoes. And because they’re fluffy, they absorb melted butter willingly. Yukon Golds, meanwhile, have a creamy texture and are already infused with a buttery flavor. If you don’t plan on adding butter, this may be the spud for you. Other options are red potatoes and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are creamy and indeed sweet, and they contain more nutrients than white potatoes.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Let the potatoes cool completely, then rewrap them in foil (presuming you initially unwrapped them). You can keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can then take that foil-wrapped potato and put it in a freezer-safe bag if you want to freeze it for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
There are the classic toppings: salt, pepper, sour cream, chives, and butter. Then there’s the meats: crumbled bacon, shredded chicken, Spicy Chili. A cheesy spud is never a bad thing, so you can also add sharp shredded cheddar, melted cheese sauce (think Nacho Cheese Sauce), or grated Parmesan. Want it spicy? Use sliced jalapeños, sriracha or hot sauce, or crushed red pepper flakes. For a creamy potato, use Guacamole (or diced avocado), ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing, or creamy spinach or artichoke topping. And this is just scratching the surface!
Ingredients
- 4 medium baking potatoes scrubbed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter on the cut side of each half, then sprinkle evenly with garlic powder and salt. Reassemble the halves to make whole potatoes.
- Wrap each potato securely in aluminum foil, ensuring the foil is tightly sealed around the potato.
- Place the foil-wrapped potatoes directly on the middle oven rack and bake for 40-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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