Description
A simple, classic recipe for perfectly crispy and fluffy baked russet potatoes. These baked potatoes are soaked briefly in salted water to ensure a tender inside, then baked at a high temperature for a crispy skin. Customize with your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and more for a comforting side or main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Potatoes
- 2 cups warm water (130-140°F)
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 4 (7-9-ounce) Russet potatoes, scrubbed and lightly pricked with a fork
- Vegetable oil or olive oil, for brushing
- Favorite seasonings or seasoning blend (optional)
Suggested Toppings
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Bacon crumbles
- Chives, chopped
- Green onions, sliced
- Tomatoes, diced
- Cooked broccoli
- Sautéed onions or caramelized onions
- Cooked hamburger or sausage
- Chili
- Goat cheese
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Grilled or rotisserie chicken
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheet and oven: Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack inside. Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450°F.
- Soak the potatoes: Dissolve the kosher salt in the warm water, then submerge the potatoes in this salted water for about 10 minutes, ensuring they are fully moistened. This step helps season and tenderize the potatoes.
- Bake the potatoes: Remove the potatoes from the water and transfer them to the prepared wire rack on the baking sheet. Bake at 450°F for 45 to 60 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a food thermometer into the center of the largest potato; it should read 205°F.
- Oil and season the potatoes: Take the potatoes out of the oven, keeping the oven on. Brush the tops and sides with vegetable or olive oil, and sprinkle your choice of seasonings, at least salt and pepper. Return potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Slice and fluff the potatoes: Transfer the hot potatoes to a serving dish. Using a sharp paring knife, cut a large X into the top of each potato to allow steam to escape. Hold each end with paper towels and gently press the ends together to fluff the inside, pushing the flesh slightly upward.
- Add toppings and serve: Top your baked potatoes with butter, sour cream, cheese, or any of your favorite toppings listed. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly baked potatoes!
Notes
- Soaking the potatoes in salted water helps achieve a fluffy interior.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure potatoes are fully cooked and tender inside.
- Brushing with oil and additional baking crisps the potato skins nicely.
- Be careful when squeezing hot potatoes; use paper towels to avoid burns.
- Customize with a variety of toppings to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
