# Best Baked Potatoes

Unlock the secret to the ultimate baked potatoes with crispy skins and fluffy insides for a foolproof, flavorful side dish.

- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 90 min
- Category: Side
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- Salt and pepper
- 4 (7- to 9-ounce) russet potatoes, unpeeled, each lightly pricked with fork in 6 places
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

## Instructions

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Dissolve 2 tablespoons salt in 1/2 cup water in large bowl.
3. Place potatoes in bowl and toss so exteriors of potatoes are evenly moistened.
4. Transfer potatoes to wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet and bake until center of largest potato registers 205 degrees, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Remove potatoes from oven and brush tops and sides with oil.
6. Return potatoes to oven and continue to bake for 10 minutes.
7. Remove potatoes from oven and, using paring knife, make 2 slits, forming X, in each potato.
8. Using clean dish towel, hold ends and squeeze slightly to push flesh up and out.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Serve immediately.

## Equipment

- large bowl
- wire rack
- rimmed baking sheet
- paring knife
- clean dish towel

## Tips

- Open up the cooked baked potatoes immediately after removal from the oven in step 3 so steam can escape.
- Top them as desired, or with one of our toppings: Herbed Goat Cheese Topping, Creamy Egg Topping, or Smoked Trout Topping.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/8654-best-baked-potatoes
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/d7deccfb-784c-4115-a60c-9f9a0c2031b4
- Extracted: 2026-04-08

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt