Description
This recipe guides you through making perfect baked russet potatoes with a crispy skin and fluffy interior. Coated in olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper, these baked potatoes serve as a versatile side dish topped with sour cream, cheese, chives, butter, or your favorite extras.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Cheese
- Chives
- Butter
- Any toppings of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to create a crispy skin on the potatoes.
- Clean the potatoes: Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove all dirt and impurities from the skin.
- Dry the potatoes: Pat each potato dry with a clean towel to remove excess water which helps in crisping the skin during baking.
- Poke holes in potatoes: Use a fork to poke several holes in each potato to allow steam to escape during baking, preventing the potatoes from bursting.
- Oil and season: Rub each potato with olive oil, coating them fully. Then sprinkle generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and texture.
- Bake the potatoes: Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes until the skin is crispy and a fork pierces easily through the flesh.
- Cool slightly: Remove the potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes so they are easier to handle and slice open.
- Add toppings and serve: Slice the potatoes open and add your favorite toppings such as sour cream, cheese, chives, or butter, then serve hot.
Notes
- Using russet potatoes is key for fluffy interiors and crispy skins.
- Poking holes in the skin prevents bursting and helps steam escape.
- Oven temperature and time may vary slightly depending on potato size and oven type.
- Placing potatoes directly on the oven rack helps heat circulate for crispier skin.
- Customize toppings to your taste for a personalized baked potato experience.
