The Perfect Baked Potato

Learn how to make the perfect baked potato using this step-by-step tutorial and recipe. So easy and delicious!

Prep time: PT2M

Cook time: PT50M

Total time: PT52M

Rating

4.8 stars (305 reviews)

Keywords

dairy free, game day, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian

Ingredients

1 medium-to-large Russet potato (scrubbed clean of any dirt)
1-2 teaspoons melted butter (or olive oil)
pinch of coarse Kosher salt
pinch of freshly-cracked black pepper

Cuisine

American

Steps

Heat the oven. Heat oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil (or parchment*), and if you happen to own a wire cooling rack, place it on top of the baking sheet.
Prep the potato. Using a dinner fork or a small paring knife, poke the potato at least 10 times on all sides. Place the potato on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake (round one). Bake for 25 minutes. Remove baking sheet from the oven.
Brush with butter (or oil). Using a pastry brush, brush the outside of the potato with melted butter or olive oil until it is completely coated on all sides. Sprinkle the potato with a generous pinch of Kosher salt, and place the potato back on the baking sheet reverse-side-up, so that it can cook evenly on both sides.
Bake (round two). Bake for an additional 20 minutes. Using an oven mitt, carefully squeeze the potato to check for doneness. If the insides are soft and give under pressure, remove the potato from the oven. Otherwise, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the potato is soft.
Cut the potato. Using a small paring knife, slice halfway through the potato lengthwise. Then give it a gentle squeeze to open.
Serve. Serve immediately, with your desired toppings.

Reviews

Ashley Schultz on 2026-02-23 (5 stars):
I make these all the time. So good! Thank you for a great recipe!
Denise on 2025-11-10 (5 stars):
Best baked potatoes ever made. Several guests asked how I made them with such a delicious and crispy skin. Highly recommend going the butter route.
Samantha S. on 2025-10-27 (5 stars):
This is the best recipe for baking a russet potato! I've used this recipe well over 20 times, and it is the easiest and cheapest meal I love to make. I would totally recommend this recipe! Thank you to Ali for sharing!
Eb on 2025-10-14 (5 stars):
It came out very good, down to the skin.
Stephanie on 2025-09-24 (5 stars):
Perfect baked potato every time. I follow the instructions to the T and they always turn out fluffy with a beautiful crispy peel. Thank you!
Skye on 2025-09-23 (5 stars):
Perfect recipe, these potatoes remind me of the Red Lobster potatoes I used to beg for as a child. The skin tastes like French fries!!!
Theresa B on 2025-03-10 (5 stars):
Delish!!!! So easy and fast. Love eating the whole potato, skin and all!!! 3/9/25
Cassie Haddock on 2025-01-27 (5 stars):
Ive never made mashed potatos let along twice backed. I followed this recipe and I am so glad I did. The twice baked potatoes turned out incredibly tasty. I highly recommend making these for your next meal.
Hayley on 2025-01-23 (5 stars):
I thought I'd been eating baked potatoes for years but I was so wrong. Wow! This recipe makes thee best potatoes. Super crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The best comfort food for the cold months. They were super quick and easy to make. As the mother of a 4 month old, I appreciate this so much! Following for more ....
Vivienne Sales on 2025-01-05 (5 stars):
I followed the recipe to bake four small potatoes and it worked fine!
Bob Hartley on 2025-01-05 (5 stars):
Thanks, I've been baking potatoes for 65 years in all sorts of ways. Each with their own sometime subtle differences that match the main course. Unlike the very crispy skin I like when baking potatoes on a grill, this method was a crispy, buttery, salty potato that with a dollop of sour cream and touch of chives went perfect with a prime rib dinner for nine people. It got rave reviews all around.
Norm Desjardins on 2025-01-04 (5 stars):
Made this tonight for my wife and kids and servered it with some pork kabobs. I used melted butter and coated bother sides. I proceeded to us Salt / Pepper / Garlic Power and placed it back in the oven. Turned out really well. Thank you for the recipe!
Tracy Harris on 2024-12-21 (5 stars):
We loved the easiness of baking this perfect potato. Thank you. 5 stars