Baked Potatoes

Classic baked potatoes with crisp seasoned skins and a fluffy interior — simple to prepare and endlessly customizable with toppings from butter and chives to chili and cheese.

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Course: Baking

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked potatoes, baked potato recipe, potatoes, comfort food, side dish

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 1 10

Servings: servings

Calories: 280kcal

Ingredients

4 large baking potatoes Russet or Yukon Gold
2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1-2 tsp coarse salt for skin
Butter for serving (optional)
Sour cream shredded cheese, chives, bacon bits (optional toppings)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water and pat them dry.
Prick each potato 4–6 times with a fork to allow steam to escape while baking.
Rub each potato with a thin layer of olive oil so the skin crisps during baking.
Sprinkle coarse salt over the skins to taste for added flavor and texture.
Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Bake 50–60 minutes for medium potatoes or 60–75 minutes for large potatoes, until a skewer slides in easily.
Remove potatoes from the oven and let them rest for about 5 minutes to finish cooking.
Slice each potato open lengthwise and push the ends toward each other to fluff the interior.
Top with butter, salt, pepper and any desired toppings such as sour cream, cheese, chives, or bacon bits, then serve.

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