Baked potatoes are a simple, hearty side dish or can even be made into a main meal. Learn how long to bake potatoes at 400 degrees F to achieve crispy skin while keeping the center tender and fluffy.

A perfectly cooked baked potato makes such a great side dish for things like chicken, pork, or steak. You can also stuff them with things like chili for a full meal. Salty, crispy skin and a fluffy interior, this baked potato recipe is simple but so delicious.

Ingredients needed

Potatoes – I recommend using russet potatoes for the perfect baked potato.

Olive oil – This is used to help crisp up the skin.

Salt – These potatoes are great with sea salt or kosher salt.

How to bake potatoes at 400 degrees

Step one: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Step two: Clean off potatoes and pat dry. Using a fork, poke holes into the top of the potatoes to let moisture escape while they are cooking.

Step three: Brush potatoes all over with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt.

Step four: Place in the hot oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the skins are crispy and it’s easy to pierce potatoes with a fork.

Step five: Carefully remove from the oven. Let cool for several minutes and then slice down the middle to open them up.

Recipe tips for the perfect potato

• No foil needed: You don’t need to wrap your potato in foil. To achieve crispy skin, they need to stay unwrapped while baking.
• Cooking time: The size of the potatoes can effect the cooking time of the potatoes. Small potatoes will take around 50 minutes, large potatoes, closer to 60 minutes.
• Temperature: To ensure they are cooked all the way through you can check the internal temperature. It should be somewhere between 208 – 212 degrees Fahrenheit for hot, fluffy potatoes.
• Cut: Using a sharp knife, cut down the center of the potato, but not all the way through. Squeeze the ends of the potato towards the center to help fluff the center.

Baked potato topping ideas

Some favorite toppings for baked potatoes are:

Butter – Use a pat of butter. I like using unsalted.

Onions – Diced green onions or red onions work well.

Cheese – Try shredded cheddar cheese, cheddar blend, or Colby Jack.

Bacon – Make your own bacon or turkey bacon to crumble on top. You can also use bacon bits.

Sour Cream – Try adding a dollop of sour cream or even Greek yogurt.

Best temperature to bake potatoes

You can bake potatoes at different temperatures like 350, 375, even 425 degrees F. I recommend baking them at 400 degrees for crispy skin.

How to store leftovers

Have leftovers? Let the potatoes completely cool and then wrap in foil or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat them in the oven at 400 for 20-30 minutes or in the air fryer at 400 for 8-10 minutes.

More potato recipes

• Kielbasa and potatoes
• Air fryer potato wedges
• Potato candy
• Air fryer potato skins
• Air fryer baked potatoes
• Bake sweet potatoes at 400

Did you make this tasty side dish? How do you like to top your potatoes? Let me know in the comment below.