What potatoes are best for baked potatoes?

While any variety and color of potato, whether red, yellow or even purple, can be baked with these methods, russet potatoes are the most common kind used when baking potatoes. Russets have a high starch content that gives the baked potato a fluffy and light texture, with a thick skin that crisps up beautifully in the oven, air fryer or campfire.

Should I wrap my baked potato in foil?

Though you might have grown up watching your parents wrap potatoes in foil to bake them, it's not necessary for most methods. The only time you really need to wrap a potato in foil is when you're cooking it in a live fire, to protect the potato from burning. Important safety note: NEVER place aluminum foil in the microwave. Don't use it on a potato or to cover any dish or any other item, as the foil will spark and catch fire when heated.

Baked Potato Recipe

How to Prep Potatoes for Baking

a photo of someone piercing a fork into a potato

Scrub potatoes well with cool tap water and a veggie brush or other clean brush. Dry with a kitchen towel, then prick each potato a few times on all sides with a fork or the tip of a paring knife. Why bother poking holes in your potato? Steam builds up inside the potato as it cooks, and these tiny holes let it escape through the skin so the potato doesn't explode. Better safe than sorry!

If you'd like extra-crispy skin on your potatoes, rub them lightly with a heart-healthy fat like olive oil or avocado oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place potatoes on a baking sheet or directly on the center oven rack and bake for about 45 minutes. Test for doneness as noted below, and cook 5 to 15 minutes more as needed.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Microwave

Place prepped potatoes in the microwave on a plate. Do not wrap in foil! Microwave for 5 minutes, then flip and cook 5 minutes more. Test for doneness as noted below, and microwave in 30-second bursts as needed until done.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer

3 whole potatoes in an air-fryer — Casey Barber

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Add potatoes in a single layer and cook for 30 minutes. Use tongs to turn the potatoes over, then cook for 10 minutes more. Test for doneness as noted below, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more as needed.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Slow Cooker

Place prepped potatoes in the slow cooker, stacking as needed. Cook on Low for 8 hours.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Instant Pot

Place the metal trivet insert into the bowl of the Instant Pot (or other multicooker) and add 1 cup water. Place prepped potatoes on the insert—with this method, you can stack the potatoes as needed, provided you don't stack them past the maximum level line on the inner bowl. Lock the lid on the pot, set the valve to Sealing, and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 14 minutes (for medium potatoes) or 16 minutes (for large potatoes). After the cook cycle has finished, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 to 15 minutes.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in a Campfire or Fire Pit

Two baked potatoes wrapped in tin foil being turned in a campfire — Casey Barber

Double-wrap prepped potatoes in foil or use heavy-duty foil. When the fire has been lit, place the potatoes in the coals or ash near the base of the fire, but not directly in the flames. Give the potatoes a quarter-turn every 10 to 15 minutes to make sure each side has time to cook in the coals. Test for doneness after 40 to 45 minutes and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more as needed. Let the potatoes rest away from the fire for a few minutes before carefully opening the foil, as steam will escape.

How to Tell If a Baked Potato Is Done

Pierce the potato with a paring knife or a metal or wooden skewer. If it slides easily through the center without meeting resistance, the potato is done.

How to Cut and Open a Baked Potato

two baked potatoes on a plate with butter — Casey Barber

Hold the potato with a kitchen towel to protect your hands and make a deep cut along the length of the potato with a knife. Be careful not to cut the potato fully in half. Gently push the ends of the potato in and up toward one another to open the potato.

Top with your favorite ingredients (if you're looking for topping ideas, check out these 10 healthy baked potato topping combinations) and dig in!

Additional reporting by Casey Barber

Ingredients

8 medium russet and/or sweet potatoes

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Pierce potatoes all over with a fork. Bake until soft, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Holding each potato with a kitchen towel to protect your hands, make a lengthwise cut to open it, but don't cut all the way through. Pinch the ends to expose the flesh.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

Frequently Asked Questions

What potatoes are best for baked potatoes?

While any variety and color of potato, whether red, yellow or even purple, can be baked with these methods, russet potatoes are the most common kind used when baking potatoes. Russets have a high starch content that gives the baked potato a fluffy and light texture, with a thick skin that crisps up beautifully in the oven, air fryer or campfire.
Should I wrap my baked potato in foil?

Though you might have grown up watching your parents wrap potatoes in foil to bake them, it's not necessary for most methods. The only time you really need to wrap a potato in foil is when you're cooking it in a live fire, to protect the potato from burning.

Important safety note: NEVER place aluminum foil in the microwave. Don't use it on a potato or to cover any dish or any other item, as the foil will spark and catch fire when heated.

EatingWell.com, April 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

181	Calories
0g	Fat
41g	Carbs
5g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 potato
Calories 181
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 41g	15%
Dietary Fiber 4g	15%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 5g	10%
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Vitamin A 2Âµg
Vitamin C 19mg	21%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 0mg	1%
Folate 54Âµg
Vitamin K 4Âµg
Sodium 19mg	1%
Calcium 29mg	2%
Iron 2mg	12%
Magnesium 54mg	13%
Potassium 1041mg	22%
Zinc 1mg	6%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.