How to Bake a Potato (Crispy Skin & Fluffy Inside)
This easy baked potato recipe gives you crispy, salty skin and a soft, fluffy inside every time. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this is the best way to bake potatoes in the oven for a perfect side dish or loaded meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Total Time: 50-65 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: baked
Ingredients
-
4 russet potatoes
-
1–2 tablespoons olive oil
-
1–2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F.
-
Wash and scrub the potatoes, then dry completely.
-
Use a fork to poke holes all over each potato.
-
Rub each potato with olive oil.
-
Sprinkle generously with salt, coating the skin evenly.
-
Place potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet.
-
Bake for 45–60 minutes, or until fork-tender.
-
Remove from oven, slice open, and fluff the inside with a fork.
-
Add butter and your favorite toppings and serve.
Notes
-
Do not wrap in foil—this keeps the skin from getting crispy
-
Larger potatoes will need closer to 60 minutes
-
For extra crispy skin, bake directly on the oven rack
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Potato
- Calories: 220
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g