Baked potatoes often fall short compared to their silkier, more luxurious side dish relatives like potatoes au gratin, creamy mashed potatoes, pommes Anna and more. With the exception of some steakhouse dinners or a loaded option as a bar snack, it’s unlikely that baked potatoes are your go-to side dish. That is, until now. When cooked properly, they can be a tasty and nutritious part of a meal — or even the highlight of dinner with the right toppings!
“Potatoes get a bad rep because they have carbs, and so many people are afraid of carbohydrates,” Isaac Toups, chef-owner of Toups Meatery in New Orleans, tells TODAY.com. “The truth is, they are loaded with nutrients like vitamin C, potassium and B6 and they have a good amount of fiber.”
“If you’re serving a nice steak dinner, a dollop of crème fraiche and caviar is great,” he said. “Or for a heartier potato, top with chili.” For something unique, Toups says to try turning your potato into a pizza by adding mozzarella, pepperoni or whatever pizza toppings you like. Better yet, boost your veggie consumption by topping the spuds with broccoli and cheddar.
Baked potatoes dont have to be done in the oven. You can make the perfect baked potato on the grill, on an open campfire and even in the microwave. Ready to serve up some spuds? Try these recipes for baked potatoes and beyond.
NEVER BAKE POTATOES IN FOIL. Foil wraps will not decrease baking time, but will result in a soggy potato interior with wet skin. Wrapping a baked potato in foil after it has been baked will allow you to hold up to 45 minutes, but the best method for holding a baked potato is in a bread warming drawer.
How to shop for potatoes
Russets are the best potatoes for baking, as the skins are thick, allowing for major crisping, while the insides are starchy, making for a sweet and fluffy filling.
When shopping for potatoes, Toups says its important to make sure there are no bruises or broken skin on the potato. “You want a smooth and firm texture,” he says. Select spuds that aren’t growing eyes, either; while these aren’t harmful to consume, they’re a sign that the potatoes are past their peak and aging quickly. Avoid buying potatoes that are wrinkled, have begun to sprout or have green patches. Always choose potatoes with uniform shapes and sizes; theyll cook more evenly. Before cooking, wash and scrub them thoroughly to remove any excess dirt.
You can really bake any kind of potato, but the best potatoes for baking are those that are low in moisture and high in starch, like a russet or an Idaho potato. Waxier potatoes like Yukon golds or red-skinned potatoes won’t result in a fluffy center when baked.
Technically, it could decrease the cook time a little bit, but its not worth it. Trust us! Wrapping potatoes in foil produces a soggy potato because the foil holds in moisture and steams the potato. This recipe cooks the potatoes on a baking sheet (or even directly on the oven rack) for evenly cooked potatoes with perfectly crisp skin.
When it comes to making baked potatoes in the oven, the process is simple. All you need is the right type of potato (russet is best) and some oil (for that crispy skin). Theyll bake in the oven—without any foil we might add—in just about an hour. And while some people use the microwave to “bake”potatoes, the oven will cook your potatoes more evenly, so they come out perfect every time. Once you have the method down, you can get as creative as you like. Try BLT Baked Potatoes, Twice Baked Potatoes, or even Baked Sweet Potatoes.
To get a nice, fluffy interior and the crispiest skin, bake your potatoes at 400 degrees. Itll take about an hour.
Tip: Leftover baked potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days—they wont be quite as crisp on the outside, but theyll still be good! Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Should baked potatoes be wrapped in foil?
FAQ
Should you bake potatoes in foil or without?
What is the benefit of wrapping potatoes in foil?
Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400?
Should I poke holes in potatoes before baking?
Should potatoes be wrapped in foil?
While wrapping them in foil can help to keep them moist and create a tender skin, it can also trap steam and make the skin soggy. It is recommended to bake potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet at 400°F for about an hour until they are tender and the skin is crispy. The Debate: Is Wrapping Potatoes in Foil Necessary for Baking?
Are baked potatoes good for health?
Yes, baked potatoes are better for health as compared to fried potato wedges, fries and chips. Potatoes are rich in starch and carbohydrates. When thinner layer of starch come in contact with oil, it absorbs fats in a much larger volume making the particular food calorie dense. Hence, the thinner the potato is cut, the more fat it absorbs. It is peculiar to know that French fries are healthier than potato chips as the pieces are thicker compared to chips and absorb less oil. Thus, backed potatoes do not require oil to fry, and are less energy dense compared to fried potatoes making it a healthy dish.
How to cook baked potatoes in foil?
Prick the potatoes 2 times with the fork to make holes for the steam to escape. Rub the potatoes with a little olive oil and with salt. Wrap the potatoes in foil and put them on a baking sheet. Put the foil wrapped potatoes in the oven and bake for 1 hour. Serve the foil wrapped baked potato in its foil for an interesting presentation.
Should you wrap baked potatoes in aluminum foil?
Not anymore… Some say wrapping baked potatoes in aluminum foil helps them cook faster (aluminum conducts heat, then traps it), and it does keep them hot for longer once they come out of the oven, which is why we think restaurants use this method. Wrapping potatoes will also give you a softer, steamed skin, if that’s what you like.