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This is a step by step guide on how to make a baked potato, a steakhouse-style baked potato.  This is the best-baked potato recipe and it will show you how to get that fluffy inside and the crispy, salty, potato skin you love on the outside.

Background on the Baked Potato:

Here’s a little background on potatoes is you’re at all interested. Potatoes are the 4th largest food crop following rice, wheat, and corn.  It’s believed that the Inca Indians in Peru were the first to cultivate potatoes around 8000 BC to 5000 BC.

I grew up in Idaho on a farm and most years we had potatoes in our fields.  Idaho Potatoes have been an inexpensive staple in my diet my entire life. 

I love potatoes because they’re one of the most diverse vegetables and can be made dozens and dozens of ways. 

Did you know there is even an Idaho Potato Council? Yes friends, in Idaho, potatoes are kind of a big deal.  I look forward to sharing some of my family favorite potato recipes with you!

How Potatoes Came to Be In Idaho

Potatoes first came to Idaho by way of Mormon Pioneers.  The Mormon Pioneers migrated north from Utah and potatoes are one of the first crops planted. 

Potatoes thrive particularly well in Eastern and Southern Idaho because of the Volcanic Ash Soil. 

Potatoes love to be well watered but planted in soil that drains really well. The soil in much of Idaho are the ideal conditions for growing potatoes. 

From this almost accidental beginning, Idaho farmers set out and on a path to dominate the Potato markets in the United States.

There are more than 200 potatoes sold in the United State.  Russet Burbank Potatoes are the most popular.  Steakhouse Baked potatoes are usually the Russett variety of potatoes and French fries are made out of Russett Potatoes too. They are the most inexpensive and widely used variety of potato.

I guess you can say, I love potato recipes.  

FAQ for Baked Potatoes:

What is the best way to make baked Potatoes?

Oven-Roasted Baked Potatoes-

• If you’re looking a for salty, crispy skin on your potatoes, you’ll get a perfect baked potato by cooking it in the oven. Just wash your potato, poke several holes in your potato with a fork, drizzle a little cooking oil on it, and sprinkle it with sea salt. Bake uncovered on a baking sheet for about 50-60 minutes at 400 degrees. (For a baked Potato convection oven, follow these same steps.  however, your cooking time will be reduced by about 10 minutes)
• This is my favorite way to bake a potato for something like a potato bar, it makes the best salted baked potatoes with crispy skin. It really is as good as any steakhouse style baked potato.

Foil Wrapped Baked Potatoes-

• Baked potato in tin foil- This method of baked potatoes has soft skin on the outside.  There’s no need for cooking oil or salt on the outside of the potato.  You can simply wash your raw potatoes, prick them with a fork several times  (to ensure the steam can escape) and wrap them in a sheet of aluminum foil.  Bake on a large baking sheet or directly on the cooking rack in your oven for 50-60 minutes. Baked potato in oven wrapped in foil is also a great way to bake potatoes. 

• You’ll know they are done when you can poke the potatoes with a fork and the fork slides out easily.   
  • Roasting Oven- 
    • You can also use this method with a large roasting oven.  Place the foil-covered potatoes on the bottom of the roasting oven in 2 layers.  (you can fit alot of potatoes in a roasting oven)
  • Crockpot- 
    • You can also make delicious baked potatoes in the crockpot or slow cooker.  Simply wash your raw potatoes, prick them with a fork several times  (to ensure the steam can escape) and wrap them in a sheet of aluminum foil. Place them in the slow cooker and cook on High for 4 1/2 to 5 hours, or on Low for 7 1/2 to 8 hours until tender.

What temp to cook baked potatoes-

 Bake potato cooking temp is 400-425 degrees. It takes a large Russet potato about 45 minutes to become tender, but the exact timing will depend on how large the potato is. Error on the side of cooking the potatoes faster. 

How to know if a baked potato is done-

• To test a baked potato and ensure it’s done, Poke the potato with a fork.  If the potato lifts off the baking sheet with your fork, it’s not done.  When a potato is done there will be no resistance when pulling a fork out of the potato.

How long to bake potatoes at 425

• Small red potatoes or fingerling potatoes will bake faster than a large Russet potato.  Small potatoes will bake in about 30 minutes, however, if you’re looking for crispy skin on those, you may need to bake for 45 minutes. 
• How long to bake Russet Potatoes?  You’ll need to bake for at least 40 minutes. just poke a fork in them to determine if they’re done.  If they’re done, the fork will slide out.  (Since there are varying times to make a baked potato, be sure to start your potatoes ahead of time,  you can always turn the oven on warm and keep the potatoes warm until you need them.  It’s really hard to rush baking them faster.)

How to reheat baked potatoes:

You can reheat a baked potato in the microwave. It works best to cut it into 1 ” chunks before heating it. Put the potato on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1 min at a time. Heat in 30-60 second intervals until the desired temperature is reached. 

 

How to Make the Best Baked Potato

Cooking baked potatoes, or this could even be considered roasting baked potatoes, is easy and with just a few tips and tricks, you will be able to replicate the best-baked potato you’ve ever eaten in a fancy steakhouse. 

Cooking Baked potatoes in the oven is the easiest way to get the fluffy, flaky inside and the chewy potato skin you’re looking for. 

When I’m baking potatoes, I always like to throw in a few extra. There are oodles potato recipes.  Some of our favorite are Cheesy Potato Casserole, Classic Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, and Herb Roasted Potatoes.

Baking whole potatoes in the oven is the best way to get the perfect baked and is also the perfect start to so many other potato recipes. Here are a few tips on how to make baked potatoes.

Tips on How To Make a Baked Potato in the Oven 

~To get that crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside potato~

• Find potatoes that are free from any bruises or large blemishes.
• If you have some potatoes with a soft spot or a white, fungus looking area, just cut it off until you have fresh white coloring.  You can use potatoes that are less than perfect as a baking potato.  If I have potatoes with a soft spot or a blemish, I’ll usually use them in a hash brown or another recipe where the potato needs to be cut up.
• Wash the potatoes off.  They are grown in the ground and usually have dirt on them.  If the farmers washed the potatoes, it would scar the outside of potatoes and they would have a much shorter shelf life.  The potatoes in the store can be anywhere from a couple weeks since harvest, up to a year from harvest.
• Using your hands, rub the potato under water and rub briskly until all the dirt is off.  You can also use a scrub brush to get into the “eyes” of the potato.
• Use a fork and poke holes, about a 1/2″ deep into the skins of the potato. When the potato bakes, there is steam that builds up and needs to escape.  If you don’t poke the potato, your potatoes might explode due to built up steam inside while cooking.
• Put the potatoes in a large ziplock bag.  Pour 3-4 Tablespoons of cooking oil (I like to use Avocado Oil) onto the potatoes.  Seal the bag and roll the potatoes around inside the bag until all the potatoes are covered in oil.
• Pour to potatoes onto a 9 by 13″ baking dish.  You can also use a cookie sheet with parchment or aluminum foil on it.
• Sprinkle Sea Salt on the potatoes, be sure to cover all sides of the potato.
• Bake in a 400-degree oven for 50-60 minutes.
• You will know when the potatoes are done baking when you can stick a fork in the potato and it’s soft inside.  You won’t be able to pick the potato up or feel any hard, uncooked inside. Take out of the oven.
• Let the potatoes cool for about 5 minutes until you don’t risk burning yourself.  Make a slice down the top of the potato and using 2 forks, fluff the inside of the potato and add your favorite potato toppings! Enjoy!

 

Do you love potatoes?  Here are some other potato recipes we love!

• Potato Casserole or Funeral Potatoes
• Cheesy Potato Casserole or Funeral Potatoes
• Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
• The Most Amazing Classic Scalloped Potatoes
• Fingerling Potatoes with Parmesan and Rosemary
• Cheesy Hash Browns with Bacon and Ham
• Slow Cooker Hams and Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
• Smashed Potatoes 
• Creamy Potato and Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Loaded Baked Potato Skins Recipe
•  Creamy Potato and Broccoli Cheese Soup
• 3 Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes
• Melting Potatoes
• Herb Roasted Potatoes

If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this step by step guide on how to make a baked potato, a steakhouse-style baked potato.  This is the best-baked potato recipe,  fluffy inside and the crispy, salty, potato skin you love on the outside.  Be sure to check out my other potato recipes!