Perfect Baked Potato

Ah, the perfect baked potato—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside 🥔✨. It’s all about temperature, moisture, and patience.

Here’s how to nail it every time:

Perfect Baked Potato

Servings: 4
Time: ~1 hour

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes

• 1–2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

• Coarse salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven

   • 425°F (220°C) is ideal for a crispy skin.

2. Prep potatoes

   • Scrub clean and pat dry.

   • Prick all over with a fork to let steam escape.

3. Oil & salt

   • Rub each potato with olive oil or butter.

   • Sprinkle generously with coarse salt for flavor and extra crispiness.

4. Bake

   • Place directly on oven rack (or on a baking sheet if you prefer).

   • Bake 50–60 minutes, until skin is crisp and a fork slides easily into the center.

5. Check doneness

   • Insert a fork or skewer—should meet little resistance in the center.

6. Serve

   • Slice open and fluff with a fork.

   • Top with butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon, or your favorite toppings.

Pro Tips

• For ultra-fluffy interior: Let potatoes rest 5 minutes out of the oven before slicing.

• Microwave shortcut: Microwave 5–6 min first, then finish in the oven 20–25 min for crisp skin.

• Extra flavor: Rub skins with garlic powder or smoked paprika before baking.

• Storage: Baked potatoes keep 3–4 days in the fridge; reheat in oven to restore crisp skin.

If you want, I can give a “restaurant-style baked potato” version that makes the skin ultra-crispy and the inside ridiculously fluffy—basically Michelin-level at home.