Baked potatoes are one of the easiest and cheapest foods to make. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and manganese. Because potatoes are so versatile, there are many ways to cook them. Here are some easy ways to make baked potatoes (not all methods are done with the traditional "bake"). Choose the method that looks most appealing to you, or experiment a little!
Ingredients
- Potatoes for baking, 170 - 230 grams each – light brown or red potatoes, depending on your taste
- Sour cream or sour cream (optional)
- Chives (optional)
- Olive oil (optional)
- Butter (optional)
- Cheese (optional)
Step
Method 1 of 5: Preparation
Step 1. Clean the potatoes and rinse with cold water
Step 2. Remove any excess water by drying the potatoes with a clean paper towel if baked in a regular oven
Step 3. Remove the indentations or "eyes" of the potato
Step 4. Slice off any bruised or ugly spots, if necessary
Step 5. Prick the potatoes once or twice with a fork
This will make the potatoes cook faster and more evenly.
Method 2 of 5: Using a Regular Oven
Step 1. Spread the potatoes evenly with olive oil (optional)
Season with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet or roaster (optional). (Some people prefer to place the potatoes directly on a wire rack)
Step 2. Bake the potatoes at 220 C for 45-60 minutes
The potatoes are cooked when they are easy to pierce with a fork and are soft.
- Potatoes can also be baked at a lower temperature for a longer time. This choice will tend to result in a crispier exterior and skin. [2] 175 C for about 1 1/2 hours and or 190 C for about 1 1/4 hours are good time and temperature choices.
- Cooking times vary. Not all potatoes are uniform in size and weight, so the cooking time here is a guide, not a rule. Do a test with a fork to see if the potatoes have reached your desired doneness or not.
Step 3. Season and garnish as needed
Some classic combinations include:
- Sour cream and chives
- Butter and salt
- Cheese
Method 3 of 5: Using Aluminum Foil
Step 1. Season the potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper (optional)
If you're not going to reprocess your baked potatoes, it's a good idea to season them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Step 2. Wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil
Aluminum foil is a good conductor of heat, so it's likely that these plastic-wrapped potatoes will require a shorter cooking time. But if you like baked potatoes with crispy skin, remember: wrapping in aluminum foil will result in potatoes with a soft skin, but not crunchy.
Step 3. Bake the potatoes at 220 C for 45 to 60 minutes, or 205 C for 60 to 70 minutes
Slow-cooking potatoes often have a center that is creamier or softer like cream.
Check the potatoes for doneness before the time you expect them to be done. This is because aluminum foil speeds up the potato cooking process, so it's a good idea to check early to avoid overcooking the potatoes
Step 4. Decorate as needed
Method 4 of 5: Using the Microwave
Step 1. Place the potatoes in a microwave-proof, microwave-safe bowl, heat in the microwave on high for 5 minutes
Step 2. Flip the potatoes and microwave again for 3-5 minutes
Step 3. Check the potatoes for doneness
If the potatoes are still not fully cooked, continue to microwave the potatoes at 1 minute intervals until they are fully cooked.
Step 4. Decorate as needed
Method 5 of 5: Using the Slow Cooker
Step 1. Clean and brush the potatoes but do not dry them
A little moisture will make for a better baked potato once it's done cooking.
Step 2. Place the potatoes in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or until soft
This method will produce potatoes with the softest skin, and a light potato texture. Cooking at a very low temperature for a longer time minimizes the risk of overcooking or overcooking.
Step 3. Decorate as needed
Tips
- Baked potatoes can be baked between 165-220 C. Of course lower heat means longer baking times, but it also means that baked potatoes can be baked alongside foods such as bacon patties or other grilled main dishes.
- Complements that can be served with baked potatoes include butter, cheese, sour cream, scallions, and bacon slices.
- The cooking time may be speeded up a bit by using the microwave. Place the cleaned, raw potatoes in a microwave-safe container or bowl, and heat the potatoes until warm, just a few minutes per potato. Do not cook until completely cooked. As soon as baking in the microwave is complete, bake again in a regular oven. Using a slow cooker is not recommended for this variation of the method.
- Many people enjoy baked potatoes with steak.
- Some people like to wrap their baked potato in aluminum foil before baking it in the oven. This method is more likely to steam potatoes than to bake them. It all depends on the cook.
