How to Bake a Potato

A great Baked Potato has a crisp, golden skin, and is light and fluffy on the inside. Great comfort food! Just follow these steps for how to bake a potato.

Step 1: How to choose the right potato for baking?

While Russet Potatoes are the most popular type of potato for baking (because of their flaky texture), almost any type of potato will do.

Avoid buying potatoes that are wrinkled, have begun to sprout or have green patches.

Choose potatoes with uniform shapes and sizes; they’ll cook more evenly. This way they will all be done at around the same time.

Step 2: How to clean the potato for baking?

Clean your potatoes with a stiff-bristled brush and cold water.

Set your potatoes aside on a paper towel to dry.

Step 3: How to prepare the potato for baking?

Start by poking each potato with a fork 5 or 6 times. This allows steam to escape during the cooking process. This will make it easier for heat to bake the inside of the potato. This will shorten the baking time and keep the potato from bursting.

Rub a small amount of olive oil(Olive or Canola oil are preferred) on the outside of each of your potatoes.

Place the finished potatoes onto a tray for salting. Then salt them lightly with regular salt or sea salt.

Do not wrap potatoes in aluminum foil for baking. Foil holds in moisture and steams the potatoes, resulting in a “boiled” taste and texture.

Step 4: How long to bake a potato?

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Arrange potatoes on your oven rack directly over a baking sheet to prevent drips. You can also place your baking tray on the center rack of your oven.

Let your potatoes back for about 1 hour at 350 degrees.

After an hour, take the potatoes out of the oven and test to make sure they are done. Using an oven mitt, gently squeeze one of the potatoes to see if they are tender and ready (if done, they should give in easily to your squeeze).

If the potatoes are still hard, put them back in the oven for an additional 15 minutes. Repeat until they are done.

When they are done, allow them to cool for 7 to 10 minutes before serving.

Step 5: How to enjoy your baked potato?

To open a baked potato, take your fork and stab a dotted line half way around a potato, then using your thumb and index finger squeeze at both ends of the line. It will pop right open.

Great potato toppers include leftover stews, chili, cream-style soups, butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, gravy, chili and lightly cooked vegetables. Even frozen and canned veggies are topping winners.

By themselves, potatoes are low in fat and calories. You can keep them that way by serving them with low-fat toppings such as plain, nonfat yogurt with chopped scallions; low-fat cottage cheese and chives; stewed tomatoes; steamed broccoli florets or julienned carrots; spicy mustard; and salsa. Enjoy!!!

That’s all steps for how to bake a potato. I hope it was helpful to you.