baked potatoes how long

The cooking time for baked potatoes depends on their size and the oven temperature. Here’s a general guide:

General Guidelines:

• Oven Temperature: 400°F (200°C) is a common temperature for baking potatoes.
• Small Potatoes (e.g., baby potatoes): 30-45 minutes
• Medium Potatoes (e.g., russets): 45-60 minutes
• Large Potatoes: 60-90 minutes or even longer

How to tell when they’re done:

• Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 205-210°F (96-99°C).
• Softness: Gently squeeze the potato with tongs or oven mitts. It should feel soft and yield to pressure.
• Appearance: The skin should be slightly crispy.

Steps to Bake Potatoes:

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and Prep: Wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold water.
3. Optional Prick: You can prick the potatoes a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape and prevent them from exploding.
4. Oil and Salt: Lightly rub the potatoes with olive oil or your preferred oil and season generously with salt.
5. Bake: Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack for even cooking, or on a baking sheet.
6. Bake Until Done: Bake according to the time frame above, checking for doneness using your preferred method (thermometer, squeeze test, etc.).
7. Serve: Once done, carefully remove from the oven with oven mitts. Use tongs or a fork to help you. Serve immediately with desired toppings. For crispier skins, let them cool on a wire rack.

Variations:

• Microwave: You can microwave potatoes, but they won’t have the same crispy skin. Microwave on high for about 5-8 minutes per potato, flipping halfway through, then cook until soft and cooked through. Microwave baking times can vary significantly depending on your microwave’s power.
• Air Fryer: Air fryers cook potatoes faster, often in 25-35 minutes at 400°F (200°C.) The skin gets crispy.

Enjoy your perfectly baked potatoes!