In order to make it easier for you to understand the food, let me talk about baked potatoes. This simple food is so often overlooked.
They are inexpensive, easy to make, and so many different options can be prepared from them.
In order to make a good baked potato, one must do more than just throw a potato into the oven. In this post, I will share my simple recipe for baked potatoes, as well as some ideas for topping them up so that they go from just a side dish to a full-blown main dish.
Are you ready to discover this delicious and simple dish with Apronese?
In Three Steps, Here’s How You Can Make a Good Baked Potato:
If you are seeking the perfect baked potato, then here is my tried-and-true method for making something that is simple, delicious, and worth your time and effort:
- Prep the Potatoes: I would recommend washing and drying the potatoes before cooking them. After that, prick them with forks all over. Drying the skin will allow the outer layer to crisp up in the oven instead of remaining leathery like in a fry pan. Pricking the skins will allow steam to escape while they bake, which will prevent the potato from exploding.
- Season the Potatoes: You should rub the outside of every potato with oil, and then season it with salt about 30 minutes before you are ready to serve. This will prevent the skins from becoming dry and papery, and the seasoning helps the skins to remain flavorful and crisp up a bit.
- Bake the Potatoes: It is recommended to bake the potatoes at 400oF for a total of approximately 25 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes you are using.
What Is the Recommended Baking Time for Potatoes?
It is very important to keep in mind that the total baking time depends on the size of your potatoes, as well as the temperature of your oven.
For example, when baking at 400oF, I recommend that a potato of 12,000 pounds will take 45 minutes and a potato of 34,000 pounds will take about 60 minutes.
You should always test your potato to ensure it is fully cooked by piercing the center of it with a fork. You should not have any trouble sliding the fork into the potato when the potato is cooked.
When Baking Potatoes, What Temperature Should You Use?
In my opinion, 400oF is the perfect temperature for baking, between a long baking time and an even cooking temperature. I find this temperature to be a good compromise between the two.
When a potato is cooked at lower temperatures, it can take a long time for it to cook through, whereas when cooked at higher temperatures, it can sometimes overcook before it becomes tender on the inside.
Should I Wrap My Potato in Foil?
There is something about potatoes that make them taste great. I like the way the skin of the potatoes has a nice snap to it when they are coated in oil and seasoned with salt, but then baked uncovered.
Potatoes the way they are wrapped in foil have a much more delicate skin and I prefer my potato to have plenty of texture.
Which Potato Is Best for Baking?
I am all for russet potatoes when it comes to baked potatoes. My favorite type is the russet potato. It is very fluffy when baked, as opposed to waxier varieties, such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
The russet potato skins are also quite good (if they have been cooked correctly–see tips above). In addition, russet potatoes come in a great size, which makes them easy to serve as single portions as well!
Baked Potato Topping Ideas
Baked potatoes are my favorite because they are so blank slate and they can be made into so many different meals that you can really enjoy.
They are a great way to use up leftovers in your fridge, so don’t be afraid to experiment! I have put together a few of my favorite combinations, beginning with those in the photo above and continuing from there:
- Broccoli, cheddar, and ranch
- Pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni
- Chicken, buffalo sauce, cheddar
- Sour cream, bacon, green onion
- Black beans, cheddar, BBQ sauce, green onion
- Chicken, cheddar, ranch
- Chili, cheddar, green onion
- Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce, chicken, jalapeños
- Salsa, cheddar, sour cream
- Curried Chickpeas with Spinach
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- BBQ Beef and Beans
- Pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella
- Chana Saag
- Ham, diced green bell pepper, cheddar
- Sloppy Joes (plus)
- Louisiana Style Red Beans
How to Make Baked Potatoes
This recipe shows you how to make the best baked potatoes with a crispy skin and a delicious fluffy inside in just three easy steps. You will also find bake potato topping ideas included in the recipe.
Author: Beth
Servings: 4 (1 potato each)
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes (½ lb. each) ($1.20)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)
- 1 pinch salt ($0.02)
Instructions
- You’ll need to preheat the oven to 400 °F before you begin cooking the potatoes. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and dry them with a towel. Use a fork to poke several holes in each potato.
- In the beginning, drizzle the oil over the potatoes, and then, using your hands, smear the oil over them thoroughly until all the potatoes are fully coated. It is recommended that you sprinkle some salt over the potatoes when they are ready to bake (you can line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup, if desired).
- Depending on the size of the potatoes that you have chosen, you may need to bake them for about 45 minutes in the preheated oven until they can be easily pierced with a fork. The total time that they will take to bake will depend on their size.
- The potatoes should be cut open carefully and the insides should be fluffed with a fork. Then top them with what you prefer.
Nutritional
Serving: 1 serving ・ Calories: 207.75 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 40.65 g ・ Protein: 4.83 g ・ Fat: 3.68 g ・ Sodium: 109.58 mg ・ Fiber: 2.93 g
The nutritional values shown here are only estimates. Please see our nutrition disclaimer.
Baked Potatoes: How to Make Them – Step by Step Photos
If you are using the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then make sure the potatoes are well washed.
Since they are grown underground and even a factory wash can leave some dirt on them, you should make sure that they are dried well before baking so that the skins crisp up nicely.
Prick the potatoes with a fork several times while baking so that steam can escape. Sprinkle some salt over each potato, and then rub oil all over each one.
Adding salt to the skin will also help it to crisp up a bit and give it a little flavor.
Note: In order to make it easier to transfer your potatoes to and from the oven, you may wish to place them on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup after you are done using them.
When the potatoes are done, they should be easily pierced with a fork and they should slide freely into the center of the potato without resistance when poked with a fork.
Test the potatoes by piercing them with a fork. The fork should slide easily into the center of the potato without resistance.
You simply slice open the potatoes and fluff up the sections with a fork after you cut them open.
If you’d like you can also add a little butter and pepper to the inside as well as your favorite seasonings or toppings.
A dish that is easy to make, quite popular, delicious and inexpensive, with easy-to-find ingredients, Apronese believes that this delicious dish will be loved and addicted by many people in your family.
Baked potatoes, delicious food that is delicious and helps you to relieve boredom.
Remember to comment your experience of this dish in the comments section to let everyone know.
