How To Bake The Best Baked Potato Recipes

THE BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees and position racks in top and bottom thirds. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking. Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings.
• Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft. Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another. It will pop right open. But watch out, there will be some steam. Add toppings if using.

BEST BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F and position racks in top and bottom thirds.
• Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water.
• Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking.
• Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil.
• Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven.
• Place a baking sheet (I put a piece of aluminum foil) on the lower rack to catch any drippings.
• Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft.
• Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another.
• It will pop right open.
• But watch out, there will be some steam.
• NOTE: If you're cooking more than 4 potatoes, you'll need to extend the cooking time by up to 15 minutes.

BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place a wire rack over a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet.
• Pierce each potato 6 times (3 times on two sides) with a fork.
• In a large bowl, whisk together water and salt until salt has dissolved.
• Roll each potato in salt water to coat entirely, transfer to a wire rack while spacing evenly apart.
• Bake in preheated oven until center registers 205 degrees F on an instant read thermometer (potatoes should almost be soft inside when pressed).
• Brush potatoes with vegetable oil, return to oven and bake 10 minutes longer.
• Remove from oven and immediately cut a slit or "X" across to release steam. Using a kitchen towel squeeze ends to open then top as desired.

PERFECT BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Scrub the potato, and pierce the skin several times with a knife or fork. Rub the skin with olive oil, then with salt.
• Place the potato in the preheated oven, and bake for 90 minutes, or until slightly soft and golden brown. Slice the potato down the center, and serve with butter and black pepper. Sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese over the top, if desired.

HOW TO BAKE THE BEST BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450° F. In a large bowl, stir the water and salt together until the salt is dissolved. Roll the potatoes in the water until well-coated; place them on a wire rack set atop a large baking sheet.
• Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the inside temperature reads 205° F (smaller potatoes will need around 45-50 minutes). Remove the potatoes from the oven, brush the tops and sides with the oil, and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes to allow the skins to become crispy.
• Remove the potatoes from the oven and slice them open right away with an "X" in the center to avoid them steaming and thus, softening the skins. Squeeze the potatoes open and load 'em up with plenty of salt, pepper, butter, and/or your favorite toppings.