how long to bake small potatoes at 350

Okay, so I need to figure out how long to bake small potatoes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Hmm, I’m not super experienced with baking potatoes, but I know a few things. Let’s see. I remember that potatoes can be baked in the oven, and the size of the potato affects the cooking time. Since the question is about small potatoes, I should consider their size and how that impacts the baking time.

I think I’ve seen recipes where they wrap potatoes in foil and bake them, but I’m not sure if that changes the cooking time. Maybe wrapping them in foil helps them cook faster or slower? I’m not certain. So, I should probably check if the potatoes are wrapped or not. The original question didn’t specify, so I might need to consider both scenarios or decide on one.

I recall that larger potatoes take about an hour to bake at 350°F, so small ones should take less time. But how much less? Maybe half the time? That would be 30 minutes. But I’m not sure if it’s that simple. Potatoes can vary in size even when they’re small, so the time might range a bit.

I guess I should also think about how to test if the potatoes are done. I know that a fork should easily pierce the potato when it’s cooked through. So, even if I’m not sure about the time, I can start checking them after a certain period and see if they’re tender.

Another thing to consider is whether the potatoes are whole or cut. If they’re cut into smaller pieces, they might cook faster. But since the question is about baking small potatoes, I assume they’re whole. But maybe I should mention that if they’re cut, the time is shorter.

Oh, I should also think about altitude. If someone is at a high altitude, cooking times can be different. But since the question doesn’t specify, maybe I should stick to the standard advice for sea level.

I also remember that some people parboil potatoes before baking to speed up the process, but again, the question is about baking from start to finish, so I probably don’t need to go into that unless I think it’s necessary.

So, putting this all together, I think small potatoes at 350°F would take about 40 minutes, give or take. They should be wrapped in foil to retain moisture and promote even cooking. I should advise checking for tenderness with a fork, and maybe provide a range of time in case the potatoes vary in size.

Wait, I should also mention preheating the oven to 350°F before putting the potatoes in. That’s an important step. People might forget that the oven needs to be preheated before starting the baking time.

Is there anything else? Maybe adding some oil or seasoning? The original question didn’t ask for that, but if I’m giving a step-by-step, maybe I should briefly mention that you can add oil or seasoning before baking. But perhaps that’s outside the scope, so I can keep it simple.

I think I’ve covered the main points: preheat the oven, wrap in foil, bake for about 35-45 minutes depending on size, and check with a fork. That should be helpful for someone trying to bake small potatoes at 350°F.

To bake small potatoes at 350°F (175°C), follow these steps for the best results:

1. Preheat your oven: Ensure the oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C) before starting.

2. Prepare the potatoes: Scrub the small potatoes clean. You can leave them whole or cut them into pieces if preferred.

3. Optional seasoning: Lightly coat the potatoes with oil and add any desired seasoning, though this is optional.

4. Wrap in foil: Wrap each potato in aluminum foil to retain moisture and promote even cooking.

5. Bake: Place the wrapped potatoes directly on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes.

6. Check for doneness: After 35 minutes, remove a potato and check if it’s tender by inserting a fork. If the fork slides in easily, they’re done; if not, bake a few more minutes.

7. Serve: Once cooked, carefully unwrap and serve as desired.

This method ensures tender, evenly cooked potatoes. Adjustments may be needed for high altitudes, but this guide is perfect for standard conditions.