This is a perfect side dish for a steak meal. It’s also hearty enough for the main course. It takes just one attempt to make a potato. Once you have it baked, you can add butter, sour cream, and any other toppings to your liking. This step-by-step guide will show you recipes using potatoes. It also includes information about the best time to bake potatoes so that there is no guesswork and no burnt fingers.
Step 1 – Prepare The Potatoes For Baking
Preheat the oven to 425oF Use a stiff produce brush to scrub the potatoes under cool running water. Use a potato peeler, or a small knife to remove any sprouts. Use a fork to poke the potatoes from all sides. This will allow steam to escape as the potatoes bake.
You can make the skins softer by coating the potatoes with butter, shortening, or cooking oil. Wrap each potato individually in foil before baking.
Tip from the Test Kitchen: Keep potatoes covered in dark, cool, and well-ventilated areas for several weeks. Avoid storing them in the fridge.
Step 2 – Bake The Potatoes
Now you can bake the potatoes in the oven. Place the potatoes on a sheet pan, or directly on an oven rack. Bake the potatoes until they are tender. Bake the potatoes until tender.
How Long Does It Take To Bake Potato?
Expect a 40-60 minute bake time at 425oF for 6- to 8-ounce potatoes. To accommodate other items, you can increase the baking time from 70 to 80 minutes to adjust the oven temperature.
Step 3 – Cool And Fluff Baked Potatoes
Allow potatoes to cool for 15 minutes. Remove foil from potatoes that have been baked in foil. Roll each potato under a tea towel to loosen the flesh and lightly mash it. Use sharp knife to cut an X into each potato’s top. Press down and upwards simultaneously on each end of each potato. You now have a perfectly fluffed potato that you can top however you like.
Step 4 – Top Baked Potato, And Enjoy
When served as a side meal, butter, sour cream and chives make the best-baked potato toppings. These topping combinations will make baked potatoes stand out even more.
- Warm chili with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onion
- Crumbled blue cheese, sour crème, fresh chives and crumbled bacon
- Chopped cooked Ham, steamed broccoli, and shredded Gouda or Swiss cheese
- Sauteed Sliced onion, bell Pepper strips, halved mushroom, and sliced zucchini
- Salsa, sour cream, and fresh cilantro snipped
How To Bake Potatoes In A Slow Cooker?
Use olive oil to lightly rub the potatoes. Put potatoes in a slow cooker of 4 or 6 quarts (4 potatoes in a 4-quart and 8 potatoes in a 6-quart), Cook on low for 8 hours, high for 4 hours, or till potatoes are tender.
The Best Potatoes To Bake
The key to memorable baked potatoes is choosing the right potatoes. Ideal for baking, Russet potatoes (also known as Idaho or baking potatoes), are a great choice. The rough, thick, reddish brown skin of this variety makes it an excellent choice for baking. The starchy, dry, mealy white interior becomes light and fluffy when baked. You want potatoes with a firm texture and smooth skin. Russets can be very large and have an oblong shape. Avoid potatoes with a yellowish color on the skin. This can lead to a bitter taste and may be dangerous if consumed in large quantities.
A baked potato bar is a great idea for a quick get-together. Bake the potatoes in a slow cooker. Everyone can make their creations by adding various toppings to them.