Baked Russet Potatoes
Baked Russet Potatoes are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and ready for all your favorite toppings. Super fun for a party, picnic, or potluck.
Ingredients
- 6 Russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
Additional toppings:
- Cheese, we like Tillamook’s Sharp Cheddar White Cheese
- Sour cream
- Chives, finely chopped
- Salt
- Pepper
- Bacon pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using a fork or small knife, poke small holes all over the skin of the potato.
- Coat potatoes in olive oil and a pinch of salt (this will provide crispy skin).
- Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack (no sheet pan required!) and bake for 1 hour or so, until skin is crispy and center is tender.
- To serve, garnish with sour cream, chives, butter, cheese, and anything else that tickles your fancy!
Notes
Sandy’s tips:
- Potato size: If your russets are on the smaller side, check them around the 45-minute mark. Larger potatoes may need closer to 1 hour 15 minutes. The skin should be crispy and a fork should slide easily into the center.
- Toppings: Sharp cheddar, sour cream, chives, and bacon are classics, but feel free to swap in what you love. Butter, pepper, green onions, broccoli, chili, or a drizzle of ranch all work great.
- Make ahead: You can scrub and dry the potatoes ahead of time, then coat and bake when you're ready. Baked potatoes are best fresh, but leftovers can be stored and reheated.
- In the refrigerator: Store cooled baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Baked potatoes don't freeze well whole, but you can scoop out the insides, mash them with butter and cream, and freeze the filling for later use in recipes such as Shepherd’s Pie and more.
- Reheating: For the best texture, reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. The microwave works in a pinch; just expect slightly softer skin.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 168kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 0.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 11mg, Potassium: 888mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 2mg