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. I remember that potatoes take a while to bake, but I’m not exactly sure about the exact time. Let me think about how potatoes are usually cooked.

First, I know that baking potatoes in the oven is a common method. People often bake larger potatoes like Russet for around 45 minutes to an hour. But these are small potatoes, so they should take less time, right? Maybe half the time? That would be around 30-45 minutes. Hmm, that seems reasonable.

Wait, but size can vary. What’s considered small? If they’re really tiny, like the size of a golf ball or smaller, maybe it’s even less. Maybe 20-30 minutes? But I should also think about preparation. If I’m poking them with a fork, they might cook faster because the steam can escape. If I wrap them in foil, does that make a difference? Foil could trap heat and moisture, maybe making them cook faster or more evenly.

I should also consider whether they’re whole or halved. Smaller pieces would definitely have a shorter cooking time. If they’re halved, maybe 20-25 minutes? But if they’re whole, maybe 30-35 minutes. I should check for doneness by poking them with a fork. If it slides in easily, they’re done.

I’m also thinking about the oven temperature. The user mentioned 350°F, which is a bit lower than the 400°F I sometimes see in recipes for whole potatoes. Lower temperature might mean a slightly longer time. So maybe adjusting for that, 30-45 minutes at 350°F sounds about right.

Wait, but I’m not sure if 350°F is enough. I remember baking at higher temps makes the skin crisper. But since it’s smaller potatoes, maybe 350°F is okay, and the time I thought still applies.

Do I need to preheat the oven? Of course, yes, the oven should be preheated before putting the potatoes in. Otherwise, the cooking time will be longer because the oven needs to heat up first.

Another thing is the thickness of the potato. Even if they’re small, if they’re more rounded and have a certain thickness, they might take longer. But generally, small potatoes should have a shorter cooking time.

I’m also thinking about other methods, like boiling or microwaving, but the question is specifically about baking. So back to baking: I should advise to check around 25-30 minutes, and if they’re fork-tender, they’re done.

So, putting it all together, I think small potatoes at 350°F should take about 25-35 minutes. Maybe start checking at 20 minutes, and every 5 minutes after that until they’re done. That way, they don’t overcook and become too soft or dried out.

I should also mention that they should be scrubbed clean and poked with a fork. Maybe drizzle with oil or butter for moisture and taste. Oh, and some people like to season them with salt, pepper, garlic, etc., which doesn’t affect cooking time but makes them tastier.

In summary, my thought process is considering the size of the potatoes, the oven temperature, preparation steps, and checking for doneness. I think the baking time is around 25-35 minutes, depending on their size and whether they’re whole or halved.

To bake small potatoes at 350°F, follow these steps:

1. Preparation: Scrub the potatoes clean and poke them with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape. You can leave them whole or halve them, which will reduce cooking time slightly.

2. Seasoning: Drizzle with oil or butter and season with salt, pepper, garlic, or other herbs as desired for flavor.

3. Baking: Place the potatoes directly on the middle rack of a preheated oven at 350°F.

4. Cooking Time:

   • Whole small potatoes: Bake for 30-35 minutes.
   • Halved small potatoes: Bake for 20-25 minutes.

5. Check for Doneness: Remove from the oven and check by poking with a fork. If the fork slides in easily, they are done.

6. Serving: Serve hot, optionally with additional butter, cheese, sour cream, or chives.

Enjoy your perfectly baked small potatoes!