The Baked Potato

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Show: Good EatsEpisode: This Spud's for You

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (69)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(69)

Cook Time:
1 hr 0 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
1 potato per person

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 1 hr 0 min
Total:: 1 hr 10 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

1 large russet potato (If it looks like Mr. Potato Head(r), you've got the right one.)
Canola oil to coat
Kosher salt

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees and position racks in top and bottom thirds. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking. Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings.

Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft. Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another. It will pop right open. But watch out, there will be some steam.

NOTE: If you're cooking more than 4 potatoes, you'll need to extend the cooking time by up to 15 minutes.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Photo: The Baked Potato

Similar Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-9 of 9

View all 9 Potato Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe The Baked Potato
Rebekah NYC, NY 01-06-2010
Flag

Added garlic
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I added some garlic cloves to the oiled bowl (and a drop more oil for those to absorb). Came out great!
recipe The Baked Potato
Elvi Tigard, OR 12-30-2009
Flag

Best Baked Potato Ever
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My whole family loves this recipe! It turns out perfectly every time. Even the picky eater in my family asks me for this!
recipe The Baked Potato
Michelle Hoboken, NJ 10-04-2009
Flag

Simply delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

It's worth the hour wait - delicious!!
recipe The Baked Potato
Judy Port Neches, TX 10-02-2009
Flag

Delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Like several others, I changed this up a bit. I used olive oil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and herbs de... provence. Absolutely wonderful! I put a little cheddar, some chives, and light sour cream on mine. The flavor from the skin was incredible. Even my kids at the skin this time. I doubt I'll ever make baked potatoes any other way again.Read more
recipe The Baked Potato
Rachel Russia, OH 08-26-2009
Flag

Perfect!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I varied this using olive oil and a roasted garlic and herb steak rub blend made with coarse salt. The universal response... from my house full of picky eaters was "WOW!"Read more
recipe The Baked Potato
Velma Yatahey, NM 07-22-2009
Flag

Soooo good!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe was delicious. Instead of kanola oil I used olive oil. It was very tasty.