Quick Baked Potatoes
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This Quick Baked Potatoes recipe is one of our favorite recipes. It will have you making delicious baked potatoes at home more often. It’s so easy to prepare, and it requires only 3 simple ingredients and about 30 minutes.
I’m Irish to the core. Well, at least I think I am. If nothing but for my lack of self-control when anything potato is involved, I would say I’m totally Irish. That has to mean something, right?
Potatoes are a staple in our home. We have to moderate our intake and how they’re prepared, but a good baked potato is always the perfect standby for us to serve as a side, or as the main star topped with chili, or maybe even something healthy. I’ve learned a shortcut for cooking baked potatoes quicker, and I have to say, tastier. My friend, Cindy, tipped me off to this technique for cooking Quick Baked Potatoes a few years back.
Cindy is also the person that originally spurred me on to begin this site. I didn’t really know what a blog was when she suggested I look into starting one of my own. So thank you for that, Cindy! And thank you for showing me how to bake a potato faster too.
How to Bake Potatoes Quickly
Here’s how it works. It couldn’t be easier. Begin with washed potatoes. Scrub the potatoes and remove any bad spots. We use sweet potatoes for this too. Sweet potatoes are my husband’s favorite. I always toss one in the batch for him. Once clean and when you’ve washed and removed any icky or weird-looking parts, follow these next steps.
1. Cut the potatoes in half length-wise. Then pour a little olive oil, and sprinkle a good amount of salt on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Coat the cut potato halves with the olive oil and salt, place them on the baking sheet, cut side down. Just use your hands to coat the potatoes with oil and salt. It’s easier. Plus, olive oil and salt make for an excellent hand scrub.
3. Once they’re coated on all sides, sprinkle a little more salt, then bake at 400 degrees F for about 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven. Check with a fork for doneness and enjoy!
See? Isn’t that easy?
When potatoes are baked this way, they develop a super tasty skin (which I enjoy even more than the flesh), and they’re the healthiest part of the potato too. They end up being a cross between a baked potato and twice baked potato without all the scraping and re-stuffing involved. Super simple. Super quick. And super satisfying.
Try it soon and let me know what you think! Before you go, do you have any tips for cooking vegetables quicker without losing flavor and health benefits? Do share!
What to serve these quick baked potatoes with:
Potatoes are a great side dish that goes well with so many different meals. They are golden brown and crunchy on the outside and have a soft and crumbly texture on the inside. Their simple flavor and texture makes them the perfect side dish with almost any meal.
One of my go-to recipes that go perfectly with roasted potatoes are these Chicken Breasts in Mushroom Sauce. The mushroom sauce adds so much creaminess and balances all the flavors of the potatoes and juicy chicken breasts. I also like combining these quick baked potatoes with Glazed Salmon, Roasted Turkey, BBQ Chicken, and all other types of grilled meats.
You’ll also love to try:
Twice Baked Potatoes
Spicy Loaded Baked Potatoes
Lemon Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Easy Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Quick Baked Potatoes Recipe
Quick Baked Potatoes
A quicker and delicious way to bake a potato.
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- several pinches kosher salt
- 4 baking potatoes,* washed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400-degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle lined baking sheet with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Cut potatoes in half length wise.
- Coat potatoes all sides with olive oil and salt, and place cut side down on lined baking sheet. Sprinkle potatoes with additional salt.
- Bake at 400-degrees F for 30-40 minutes until done. Check with fork for doneness.
Notes
* Sweet potatoes may be used.
Amy,
Just thought I would respond to your request for ideas for quick-cooking vegetables and say that your method for baking potatoes is also excellent when applied to broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans and all the lovely root vegetables! Just adjust the baking time to the vegetable density/size and tweak the seasonings (or not!). I like to add fresh minced garlic to broccoli and Brussels sprouts, crushed red pepper flakes to green beans, and a bit of honey to roasted carrot medallions.
I love your ideas and your good kitchen sense.
Thanks so much for sharing!
C
Hi Amy!
I am baking yet another tray of sweet potatoes and was inspired to comment as I have been using this recipe for years now! And when I’m away from home I always know I can Google some keywords and will immediately recognize your recipe photo 🙂
This is simple and perfect and I just wanted to thank you!
Thank you for letting me know, Vanessa! I’m so happy to hear it.
BEST BAKED POTATO EVER!! I couldn’t believe how fast they cooked and how delightful they taste. My husband, never known to try something new, wants me to cook them like this from now on. Thank you!!
I love this way of cooking baked potatoes! I found this method on your site years ago and have baked potatoes this way all the time.
Air fryer update, because I can’t believe there isn’t one, since I am super late to the air fryer craze. I also can’t find one online and want to remember how this worked out – I’ve done it couple of times, but never remember the details.
I did this tonight in my basket air fryer. I did not preheat and I did not soften the potatoes (Russet) in the microwave first, although I think I’ve done it before and I probably will next time. Did rub with EVOO, salt, and pepper. 400 degrees for 25 minutes, turning once. Delish!!!
These baked potatoes are insane!! They’re literally the best I have ever eaten!! My kids love them too!!
So happy to hear it, Rebecca!
I’M PREPARING THESE 24 HOURS AHEAD AND WILL CUT AND REHEAT FOR A FIRST W/ CAVIAR OR AS A SIDE W/ CHICKEN FOR NEW YEARS….HOW TO RE-HEAT?? PLEASE THANKS. HARRIS
I apologize for the late reply. I would pop the potatoes back in the oven at 350-375 until rewarmed. I’d say at least 15 minutes? I hope your New Year’s turned out well!