Crispy Baked Potatoes
These crispy baked potatoes feature shatteringly crisp skin and a fluffy, tender interior—just like your favorite steakhouse. With simple ingredients and a hands-off method, they’re the perfect side for any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium-large Russet potatoes (8–10 oz each, scrubbed clean)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or neutral oil like avocado or canola)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or table salt)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (optional)
- Butter, for serving (optional, can use plant-based)
- Sour cream, chives, cheese, or bacon bits, for topping (all optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and let it heat for at least 15 minutes.
- Scrub the potatoes under running water and pat them completely dry.
- Use a fork to poke each potato 6–8 times all over.
- Rub each potato with about 1/2 tablespoon olive oil until coated.
- Sprinkle each potato generously with kosher salt (about 1/2 teaspoon per potato). Add black pepper or garlic powder if desired.
- Place potatoes directly on the oven rack, or on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
- Bake for 45–60 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the skin is crisp and a fork slides in easily.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice open, fluff the insides with a fork, and serve hot with butter and your favorite toppings.
Notes
For extra crispy skin, bake directly on the oven rack and don’t wrap in foil. Let potatoes rest for 5 minutes before cutting to keep the insides fluffy. For super-crunchy skin, brush with a bit more oil and broil for 2–3 minutes at the end. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in a hot oven to revive crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium baked potato
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: crispy baked potatoes, baked potato recipe, easy baked potatoes, oven baked potatoes, steakhouse potatoes, vegan baked potato, gluten-free side, potato side dish