How long do baked potatoes take in the oven?

Medium russet potatoes should take about 50 minutes. Extra large potatoes can take up to 1 1/2 hours.

Should you rub potatoes with oil before baking?

We love the flavor, and results in a crispy skin, and it helps the salt stick to the potatoes, but you can use our oil-free method in the notes.

How do I make baked potatoes cook faster?

Skewer them through the middle lengthwise with a metal skewer for even cooking (the metal skewer conducts heat) or microwave for 5 minutes before baking them.

Best Baked Potato Recipe

Name: Baked Potato in The Oven
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 medium russet potatoes (8-16 ounces each); 1 teaspoon olive oil (*see notes for oil-free baked potatoes); Salt- sea salt or kosher salt

Description

Learn how to bake a potato like a pro! This easy baked potato recipe yields perfectly fluffy insides with a deliciously crispy skin. All you need are russet potatoes, salt, and olive oil—and the olive oil is optional too.

Ingredients

4 medium russet potatoes (8–16 ounces each)
1 teaspoon olive oil (*see notes for oil-free baked potatoes)
Salt- sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F
Wash and scrub potatoes and pat them dry.
Light coat each potato with ¼ teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt on all sides. *See notes for oil-free.
Place potatoes on a wire cooling rack over a baking sheet. No rack? See notes.
Prick the top of each 2-3 times with a fork, ½ inch deep.
Bake on the middle rack until the potatoes are tender in the middle, and the internal temp reaches 205F to 210F. Timing will depend on the size of the potatoes. Medium russet potatoes take roughly 50-60 minutes.
Immediatly from the oven, cut a legnthwise slit keeping ends intact- this will release the steam. Use both hands, one on each end, to squeeze the potatoes open (feel free to use a kitchen towel- they are hot!) Fluff with a fork.
Serve with desired toppings.

Notes

No wire rack? Place directly on the middle oven rack with a sheet pan on the lower rack to catch any drips.

Extra-large potatoes: ( 1lb plus) Lower the oven temperature to 400F and plan on 1 ½ hours. To quicken baking time and ensure even baking, skewer the potatoes lengthwise through the middle using a metal skewer. Alternatively, microwave them 5 to 10 minutes before baking to cut the baking time in half.

Oil-Free: you can bake potatoes completely oil-free. Clean them with water, and before they dry, coat in salt. The salt will stick.

Optional toppings: butter, olive oil, ghee, salt, pepper, chili flakes, green onion, sour cream, yogurt, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, coconut bacon, guacamole, chili. Feel free to use vegan substitutes.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 medium potato (3 inches in diameter)
Calories: 178
Sugar: 1.3 g
Sodium: 592 mg
Fat: 1.3 g
Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 38.5 g
Fiber: 2.8 g
Protein: 4.6 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg