Baked potatoes have long been a comfort food, enjoyed by many. In this instructable I will show you how to make the perfect baked potato, complete with a nice outer skin and a yummy soft interior, topped off with all kinds of delicious toppings. It is really easy to make if I can do it, you can do it. Let's get baking!

If you have any questions or comments, put them down below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Follow the easy steps, or watch the short video tutorial, or do both!

Step 1: Ingredients

You may print this recipe here if you like.

Ingredients:

1 large russet potato (you can use other kinds)
1 to 2 tablespoons of Olive oil (you can use vegetable or canola)
1 pinch of kosher salt (or any course salt)

Toppings (optional):

1 tablespoon of butter
2 to 3 tablespoons of sour cream or creme fraiche
1 tablespoon of freshly chopped yellow onion
A few pinches of freshly shredded cheddar cheese
1 strip of bacon (cooked and chopped)
a pinch of green onion (chopped)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Tools:

Fork
Bowl
Spoon
Tongs
Cutting Board

Step 2: Wash the Potato

First let's preheat our oven to 350 degrees F. Make sure to wash your potato really well. Then you can pat it dry with paper towel or let it air dry. Then let's poke holes in it with our fork, about 10 times will do the trick.

Step 3: Oil It Up

Now let's drizzle some olive oil, or canola oil on the potato and then add some kosher salt. Next mix it all around in the bowl so the oil and salt cover the whole potato.

Step 4: Bake That Potato

Now we place the potato right on the rack. We do not cover it with foil. For a medium to large potato we bake it for an hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. For a small potato, 1 hour is all that is needed. For a Monster potato 1 hr and 30 minutes. You may want to put a sheet pan on the rack below the potato/potatoes to catch any dripping oil.

Step 5: Cut It Open

Now after the potato has baked, we take it out of the oven and cut a slit on the top, then press on the ends and push the ends towards each other, which will open up the potato.

Step 6: Add the Toppings

Now this next step is purely optional, this is where we add all of our toppings. You can use whatever toppings that you like. Some of my favorite toppings are - butter, salt, pepper, sour cream, minced yellow onion, cheddar cheese, bacon (of course bacon :) ), topped off with chopped green onion. I also put ranch dressing on my sometimes. Have fun with it! Enjoy!