How to Bake Potatoes ~ Fast & Easy Baked Potato Recipe

Cooking a Baked Potato

Everyone I know loves a Baked Potato, but not everyone knows how to make them. Baking potatoes in the oven is really very easy. Potatoes are one of my favorite foods to eat or cook. I frequently add potatoes to our meals simply because everyone likes potatoes, even if they are not crazy about the main dish.

I like potatoes just about any way they are cooked or prepared, but my all time favorite has to be a baked potato. Personally, I would be perfectly content to eat just a baked potato, or two, for my entire meal.

In this article, I am going to show you exactly how I bake potatoes, but I would also like to hear from you. Please take the opportunity to share how you “dress” your baked potato in the guestbook at the bottom of the article. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions!

 

Baking White Potatoes in the Oven

What You Need to Bake Potatoes (Oven)

• White Baking Potatoes
• Vegetable Scrubber
• A Fork
• Aluminum Foil
• Heavy Duty Baking Sheet

 

Step by Step Instructions for Baked Potatoes

Step 1:  Wash and Scrub your Potatoes ~ Do not dry them

Step 2:  Poke each potato 6 or 7 times with a fork ~ I poke them 3 times on each side as deep as the fork prongs will go.

Step 3:  Wrap each potato in Aluminum Foil

Step 4:  Place them on a Baking Sheet

Step 5:  Bake on 375° for 1 1/2 hrs. ~ You will know they are finished when you can easily be poked with a fork

 

Potatoes are Ready for the Oven

 
 
 

Baking White Potatoes in the Microwave

What You Need to Bake Potatoes (Microwave)

• White Baking Potatoes
• Vegetable Scrubber
• A Fork
• Microwavable Plastic Wrap: Glad Cling Wrap or Saran Wrap

 

Step by Step Instructions for Baked Potatoes

Step 1:  Wash and Scrub your Potatoes ~ Do not dry them

Step 2:  Poke each potato 6 or 7 times with a fork ~ I poke them 3 times on each side as deep as the fork prongs will go in.

Step 3:  Wrap each potato in Microwavable Plastic Wrap (see recommendations above)

Step 3:  Place them in the Microwave

Step 4:  Cook on High for 5 minutes per potato (example:  2 potatoes – 10 minutes)

Time on microwaves can vary.  It may be necessary to cook as long as 8 minutes per potato.  You will know they are finished when they can easily be poked with a fork.

Use a hot pad to remove them from the Microwave or Oven.  Baked potatoes are very hot!

I always remove the plastic wrap and wrap the baked potatoes in aluminum foil to keep them hot for longer, even after I have added salt, pepper & butter.

 

Dress Your Baked Potato and Serve

When the potatoes are cooked, carefully cut open each potato, season and serve.

As soon as I cut open the potato, while the potato is still very hot, I add butter, salt and pepper to each potato. Then I allow each individual to finish dressing their own potato.

 

Dress Your Baked Potato

Optional Baked Potato Toppings

• Sour Cream
• Butter, Salt & Pepper
• Salt & Pepper Only
• Bacon Bits
• Cheese
• Salsa
• Cottage Cheese
• A Combination of Several of these Toppings
• Any or All of the Above

Baked Potatoes are Ready for Dinner