Baked Potatoes
Total Time
1 Hour 10 Minutes
Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
1 Hour
Rating
4.94 out of 5 stars
(18)
Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean of dirt, rinsed and dried
- 2 teaspoons vegetable or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Step 2
Prick each potato a few times all over with a fork, if you like (see note). Directly on the baking sheet, rub the potatoes with the oil and sprinkle all over with the salt.
Step 3
Bake until tender when pierced in the center with a sharp knife (or until the center of the largest potato registers 205°F to 210°F), 60 to 70 minutes. You can also squeeze the potatoes to see if they are soft (be careful; they're hot!).
Step 4
Let sit for a few minutes until cool enough to handle, then cut a slit down the center of each potato and serve with toppings of choice.
Step 5
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Chef's notes
Conventional wisdom says that prior to baking, you have to prick potatoes with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape during baking. The theory is that if you don’t prick the potato, the steam can build up under the skin and cause the potato to explode in the oven. I don't prick my potatoes and have never had a potato explosion, but pricking won't harm the potatoes, so go ahead and prick them as insurance, if you like.
