Should you wrap baked potatoes in foil?

That depends on how you want the skin to be. For crispy skin, you want the potato skin exposed so it's gets crispy. If you wrap the potato in foil it will be soft.

Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400?

The higher the temperature, the less time it will take to bake the potato and the crispier the skin will be.

Should I poke holes in potatoes before baking?

Many like to debate this, and while I recommend it, it's not for the reason that most do. Most say that if you don't poke the potatoes, the steam will build up and the potato will burst (though I've never had that happen.) The reason why I do this is for the heat (and some of the olive oil and butter) to easily get under the skin, creating a crisper skin.

Can you make baked sweet potatoes with the same method?

Absolutely. The bake time will likely vary, so check progress around the 40 minute mark.

How long to cook baked potatoes in the oven?

This depends on the oven temperature. At 450ºF, about 60 minutes, adding 15 minutes when you decrease by 25ºF.

How to make a baked potato in the microwave?

While you can make baked potatoes in the microwave, you don't get nearly the same results. However, the best way to do this is to poke holes all over the potato, place in a shallow bowl and place a plate on top. Microwave on high for 5-8 minutes until fork tender.

The Best Baked Potato Recipe

Name: Perfect Baked Potato
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Ingredients: 4-5 medium Russet potatoes, washed clean of dirt; 3 Tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter; optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon pieces, salsa, etc.

Perfect Baked Potato

two baked potatoes on a white plate sliced open with chopped parsley.

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Learn how to make the perfect baked potato every time. Flavorful, crispy skin and pillowy soft on the inside– it's the only baked potato recipe you'll ever need! Add your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, scallions, bacon pieces, and more!

Author: Christina
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 4-6 potatoes
Category: Sides
Method: Oven

Ingredients

4-5 medium Russet potatoes, washed clean of dirt
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter
optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon pieces, salsa, etc.

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
Using a fork, poke all around potato, about 5-6 times. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet. Rub the potatoes with the olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, making sure the potatoes are completely coated.
Bake for 40 minutes, remove from the oven, flip the potatoes and brush with melted butter. Then, bake for an additional 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender and the skin is crispy. The total baking time is 60 minutes.
Let the potatoes cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Using a knife, slice halfway through the potato lengthwise and push in on the ends to open it up.
Serve immediately with desired toppings. Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Make Ahead Instructions: The potatoes can be tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper up to 2 days in advance stored in the refrigerator. Cooked baked potatoes can be made up to 2 days in advance and reheated in the oven at 450ºF for 20-25 minutes, brushing with butter at the 15 minute mark, until heated through.
Freezing Instructions: The potatoes can be frozen for up to 3 months stored in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 450ºF for 20-25 minutes, brushing with butter at the 15 minute mark, until heated through.
Potatoes: The potatoes should all be about the same size for even cooking. If you have larger potatoes, you will need to increase the bake time slightly. Before beginning, make sure the potatoes a scrubbed clean of any dirt.

Find it online: https://runlifteatrepeat.com/baked-potato/