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Salty, Crispy Skinned Oven Baked Potatoes Recipe

4.8 from 80 reviews

This recipe guides you to create perfectly crispy-skinned, salty oven-baked russet potatoes that are tender on the inside and boast a flavorful crust. With a simple process of oiling, salting, and baking, you achieve a classic restaurant-style baked potato ideal for serving with butter and your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

  • 4 medium/large russet potatoes (scrubbed well)

Seasoning and Oil

  • 4 tablespoons cold pressed canola oil (or other neutral flavored oil)
  • 4 tablespoons flaked sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C) to prepare it for baking the potatoes at the ideal temperature for crispy skin.
  2. Prepare the potatoes: Pierce each russet potato 3-4 times with the tines of a fork to allow steam to escape during baking, preventing bursting.
  3. Coat and salt the potatoes: Thoroughly coat each potato in cold-pressed canola oil ensuring entire surface coverage. Generously sprinkle flaked sea salt all over each potato, creating a thick crust for maximum flavor and crispiness. Place the potatoes on a wire baking rack set inside a baking tray to allow even air circulation.
  4. Bake the potatoes: Bake the potatoes in the oven for 60-75 minutes or until they are fork tender, which means a fork can easily pierce to the center, indicating they are fully cooked and soft inside.
  5. Cool and prepare to serve: Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet to handle safely. Then, cut a slit lengthwise down the top of each potato, not cutting fully through. Use your fingers to gently press the ends of the potato toward each other to open the center, giving it the classic baked potato presentation.
  6. Serve: Serve warm with classic toppings like butter and freshly ground black pepper. Feel free to add any additional toppings like sour cream, chives, cheese, or bacon bits for extra flavor.

Notes

  • Using a wire rack on the baking sheet helps air circulate around the potatoes for crispier skin.
  • Piercing the potatoes prevents them from bursting by allowing steam to escape.
  • Choose russet potatoes for their starchy texture and superior baking qualities.
  • Adjust baking time depending on the size of the potatoes; larger ones may need more time.
  • Flaked sea salt works best to form a crunchy crust rather than fine salt.
  • Allow the potatoes to rest slightly after baking to cool enough for handling and to finish cooking through.

Keywords: baked potatoes, crispy skin potatoes, oven baked potatoes, salty potatoes, russet potatoes, side dish