Discover the convenience of Oven Baked Potatoes In Foil recipe. By utilizing foil, we ensure that each potato bakes perfectly tender on the inside while remaining crisp on the outside. With minimal preparation and easy cleanup, this method not only simplifies your cooking routine but also guarantees a simple side dish for any occasion.

Using foil to bake potatoes contributes to a delicious and hassle-free cooking experience. It contains all the ingredients to create a perfectly baked potato with minimal mess.
Foil wrapped potatoes retain moisture better compared to unwrapped ones. This not only prevents the potatoes from drying out or developing a tough texture but keeps the potato skin from burning. Plus, you can skip over drips or spills in the oven!
So, the next time you are craving a baked potato with butter and sour cream or a loaded baked potato, grab the foil and follow our simple recipe.
For more recipes featuring potatoes, consider Taco Potato Casserole, Sweet Potatoes in Crock Pot, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips and Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes: Russets are the best choice when baking potatoes due to their high starch content, giving them the desired fluffy and light texture. They also have a tough skin that helps to retain moisture during baking to prevent the potato from being dry or mealy.
- Olive oil: Coating the potato with olive oil helps to add a rich and savory flavor while also sealing in moisture. Basting the potato with oil can contribute to a crispier exterior, which is preferred for those that like to eat the potato skin.
- Coarse salt: Coarse salt has larger crystals compared to table salt, which provides bursts of flavor. It can also enhance the presentation of the baked potato, especially if planning to serve to dinner guests.
- Freshly ground pepper: Consider grinding black, white or even pink peppercorns on top of the potato for additional flavor. While it is preferred to season before baking, you can also offer pepper on the side to season to preference after baked.
How to Cook Baked Potatoes in Oven with Foil
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Wash the potatoes then dry with paper towel. Place onto a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and use a basting brush to coat the whole potato. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Wrap the potatoes in foil by rolling then folding the ends in.
Bake for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the potato. Potatoes are done when a knife is easily inserted into the potato.
Serve topped with butter or your favorite baked potato toppings.
Baked Potato Topping Ideas
- Steamed broccoli
- Butter
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Crispy bacon bits
- Shredded Rotisserie chicken
- Shredded cheese or cheese sauce
- Sliced jalapenos
- Green onions or chives
- Sauteed mushrooms and/or onions
- Salsa
- Chili
- Guacamole
What To Serve With Baked Potatoes
You can turn baked potatoes into a meal by topping with any of the following combinations:
- Shredded cheddar cheese + BBQ pulled pork
- Steamed broccoli + Velveeta Cheese Sauce
- Sloppy Joes meat + red onions
- Butter + bacon bits
- Baked chicken + cheddar cheese + green onions
- Taco meat + corn + black beans
- Cheddar cheese + jalapenos + bacon bits
- Shepards pie filling + cheddar cheese
If looking to serve with an entree, consider Baked Pork Chops, Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast, Salmon Bites, BBQ Chicken Thighs In The Oven, or No Peek Beef Tips along with a vegetable medley.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Choosing the Right Potatoes: Opt for medium-sized russet potatoes for the best results. Their starchy texture makes them ideal for baking, yielding a fluffy interior encased in a crispy skin.
- Dry Completely: After washing, pat the potatoes dry with paper towels. This helps the oil and seasonings adhere better to the skin and prevents sogginess.
- Season Well: Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the potato skins with olive oil. This not only adds flavor but also helps crisp up the skin. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously for seasoning.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the potatoes to cool for a few minutes after microwaving. This allows them to firm up slightly and makes them easier to handle.
- Fluff the Inside: Before adding your favorite toppings, use a fork to gently fluff the inside of the potato. This will create a nice, fluffy texture that’s perfect for toppings.
- Serving: Serve your microwave-baked potatoes as a side dish or as a full meal with hearty toppings. If you like, you can also offer a variety of condiments and seasonings for guests to customize their potatoes.
- Practice Safety: Always use oven mitts or a towel when removing the hot potatoes from the oven to avoid burning yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bake for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the potato. Smaller russet potatoes will take less time to fully cook so use a knife to test the doneness. It should easily be inserted into the potato.
Start by rinsing under water then using your hands or a vegetable brush to gently rub the exterior to loosen any dirt. Focus on any areas that may need extra cleaning. Once clean, pat it dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture.
It can be helpful to poke holes in potatoes before baking to allow steam to escape during cooking. However, since these are foil wrapped baked potatoes, poking holes is not necessary.
If on the search for more ways on how to cook potatoes, check out our recipes for Steakhouse Baked Potato, How To Make Microwave Baked Potatoes, Baked Potato in the Air Fryer, and Air Fryer Twice Baked Potato.
Totally depends on the size of your oven and the potatoes. As long as the potatoes are not stacked on top of each other and the sides aren’t touching, you can include as many potatoes in the oven as it will fit.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
After you cook the potato in the oven, let cool completely, discard the foil then store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 days.
Do NOT freeze leftover baked potatoes, the texture is not appetizing once thawed.
To reheat, place back into a preheated oven until warmed or heat in the microwave in 3-minute increments until heated through.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Washing potatoes before baking is strongly recommended to remove any excess dirt or debris. Wait to wash until right before cooking to extend the shelf life of the potato and prevent spoilage.
- Don’t forget your oven mitts when taking the potatoes from the oven – they will be really hot! It is best to let the foil cool for a few minutes after removed from the oven before unwrapping. Be cautious as steam can be released when the potatoes are unwrapped.
- To open a potato, slice lengthwise then squeeze the ends of the potato to open to prevent burning your fingers. You can then add any desired toppings and enjoy!
More Russet Potato Recipes
- Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
- Microwave Mashed Potatoes
- Pan Fried Sliced Potatoes
- Crispy Hasselback Potatoes
- Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
- Air Fryer Potato Skins
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Oven Baked Potatoes In Foil
Equipment
- fork
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- coarse salt
- freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Prep the potatoes. Wash the potatoes then dry with paper towel. Place onto a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and use a basting brush to coat the whole potato. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Wrap the potatoes in foil by rolling then folding the ends in.
- ⭐️ Bake. Bake for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the potato. Potatoes are done when a knife is easily inserted into the potato.
- Serve. Serve topped with butter or your favorite baked potato toppings.
Video
Notes
Baked Potato Toppings
- Steamed broccoli
- Butter
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Crispy bacon bits
- Shredded Rotisserie chicken
- Shredded cheese or cheese sauce
- Sliced jalapenos
- Green onions or chives
- Sauteed mushrooms and/or onions
- Salsa
- Chili
- Guacamole
Nutrition
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Patricia Paquette says
Iโm baking Ribs at 275 F Can I-made this? The ribs are cooking for 3 hours! Patricia
Jodi Danen, RDN says
I can’t say I’ve baked them at that temp for that long, but in my best guess I would say that yes, you could definitely cook them together. If they are not done for some reason, remove them from the foil and microwave them for several minutes to finish cooking them through. Good Luck!
Patricia Paquette says
Sooo Happy to get an answer! So today will make those & let you know how it turn out! Have a good day.