This surefire baking method eliminates guesswork and guarantees a fluffy potato every time.
I like my potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sometimes, I’ll add a pat of butter. Other times, I’ll go with Parmesan. I’ll also serve them with a side of sour cream and chives. But do you know what I don’t like with my potatoes? Guesswork.
And when you are baking something for as long as a potato takes, there’s a lot of room for error. My kitchen is already packed to the gills as it is. I don’t have room for error. So, I’m showing “error” the door with this simple recipe.
When you set your oven to 350°F, you’ll bake the perfect potato every time. No longer will you have to leave the fate of your spud up to the potato gods. No longer will you pace back and forth by your oven, peeking through the window to see how they’re doing. This is truly a “set it and forget it” recipe, so you can focus on prepping all those yummy toppings!
Is A Baked Potato Healthy?
Given that this recipe only requires four ingredients—potato, olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper—I considered it healthy. Potatoes are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Olive oil, meanwhile, provides healthy fats, and the butter? Well, it’s butter, so it’s all about balance. You’ll note that I don’t specify how much butter to use—I’ll leave that up to you. Keep it dairy-free by ditching the Parmesan and using vegan butter instead.
What Type Of Potato Is Best?
I recommend russets because of their low moisture and high starch content. This translates to a baked potato that’s fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Of course, there are other potatoes out there, each with its own characteristics that you might enjoy. Yukon Golds are slightly creamy with a waxy texture. This gives them a smoother consistency and a buttery taste. Red potatoes are also low in starch. They hold their shape well when cooked, so depending on how you eat your potato, they may be one for you to try. And, while I’m cheating a bit here because they aren’t technically potatoes, sweet potatoes are great, too. Their tender texture and naturally sweet taste are hard to resist!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Honestly, I think baked potatoes are best the day you make them. But hey, sometimes you have leftovers, right? If that’s the case, let the potatoes cool and then place them in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap. They should be good for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Wondering what to serve with your baked potato? The options can be overwhelming. Let’s start with the basics: sour cream, butter, chives/green onions, Parmesan, shredded cheddar, and bacon bits. If you put these out for your guests, they should have no reason to complain. Or try some deliciously simple veggie toppings like Steamed Broccoli, Spicy Guacamole, Sautéed Mushrooms, or Sautéed Onions. For something more, filling go with some homemade Chili, Pulled Pork Mac And Cheese, or, for what will be a welcome addition to Taco Tuesday, a Tex-Mex blend of beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes about 2 pounds, scrubbed
- Olive oil for rubbing
- Flaky sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Unsalted butter for serving
- Finely grated Parmesan optional, for serving
- Chopped fresh chives optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven warms, pierce each potato several times with a fork.
- Evenly coat each potato with olive oil. Sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper over the oiled potatoes for a flavorful skin.
- Place the potatoes directly on the middle oven rack. Roast them until the skin is crispy and they feel very soft when squeezed, which should take about 60 to 75 minutes.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven. Cut each one open and fluff the inside with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with a pat of unsalted butter, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and/or fresh chives before serving. DEVOUR!
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.
Perfection!
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