how long and at what temp do you bake potatoes
The baking time and temperature for potatoes depend on the size and desired texture. Here’s a general guide:
High Heat (For crispy skin and fluffy inside):
- Temperature: 400-425°F (200-220°C)
- Time:
- Small potatoes (e.g., fingerlings): 30-40 minutes
- Medium potatoes (e.g., russets, about 8 oz): 45-60 minutes
- Large potatoes (e.g., russets, over 10 oz): 60-75 minutes or even longer
Low and Slow (For very tender inside and less crispy skin):
- Temperature: 350°F (175°C)
- Time:
- Small potatoes: 45-60 minutes
- Medium potatoes: 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes
- Large potatoes: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours
Tips for baking the perfect potato:
- Preheat: Always preheat your oven fully.
- Prepare the potatoes:
- Wash and scrub: Thoroughly wash the potatoes.
- Dry: Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Prick with a fork: Poke several holes in the potato with a fork to allow steam to escape and prevent bursting.
- Coat with oil and salt: Rub the potato with a little oil (olive or vegetable) and sprinkle with salt. This helps crisp the skin.
- Test for doneness: The potato is done when it’s easily pierced with a fork or a knife.
- Rest: Let the potatoes rest for a few minutes before serving to help cool slightly and become a bit fluffier.
- Consider thickness: Larger potatoes can potentially be double the time needed for a smaller potato.
In Summary
The ideal time and temperature will depend on the size of the potato, and desired tenderness. A hotter cooking temperature will result in a crispier skin and a fluffy inside, while a lower cooking temperature will result in a tender inside and a less crisp skin.
