Learn how to make amazing Oven Baked Potatoes that are soft and fluffy on the inside and have nice crispy skin. Plus a foolproof way to tell if your potatoes are cooked through. Serve your Baked Potatoes as a side dish or dinner entree!
Make 2 or 10 baked potatoes with this method, whatever you need!
Preheat the oven to 400℉
Wash your russet potatoes well, lightly dry them with a clean kitchen towel before moving on.
russet potatoes
Prick the clean russet potatoes about 6 times on both sides with a fork or sharp paring knife.
Brush or rub each potato with a little extra virgin olive oil on all sides and then sprinkle with kosher salt.
extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt
Place in the preheated oven directly on the oven rack.
Bake for 1 hour, then check for doneness. Cooking time will depend on how large your potatoes are. They could possibly take up to 1 hour 30 minutes for really large potatoes. PRO TIP: The BEST way to tell if your potatoes are done is using an instant read thermometer, when they reach 210℉ in the center they are perfect.If you do not have an instant read thermometer you can check with a fork or knife by poking all the way to the center, you should not meet any hard resistance.
Let the potatoes cool and serve cut open with all the toppings for loaded baked potatoes. sour cream, butter, green onions, cheese, bacon, salt, pepper, etc...
Leftovers
Keep leftover baked potatoes in the fridge, then you can make these skillet potatoes later in the week.