How to Make Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are one of the most loved dishes all over the world. Who will not like a perfectly baked potato with a cream cheese or buttered topping? So, if you are a potato lover and are looking for a healthy option, then you can safely consider going for baked potatoes. Baked potatoes is one of the healthiest among other potato recipes like fries, crisps and mashed potatoes. Here are four different methods of making it. You can go through them, try them and decide for yourself as to which is the best way to make baked potatoes.

Baked Potato Recipe

Although oven-baked potatoes are the most popular version of this dish, there are several other methods of making it. Let us take a look at how to bake a potato in detail.

... in the Oven

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Your favorite baked potato toppings

Method of Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Firstly, you need to clean the potatoes using a brush and water. You need to do this carefully and avoid peeling the potatoes. Now with a fork, make 7-10 deep holes randomly in the potatoes. Dry the potatoes completely. Pour the oil in a bowl and dip the potatoes in it. You can also use your hands to apply oil all over the potatoes. Sprinkle salt on the oiled potatoes. Now arrange the potatoes on baking sheet. Bake the potatoes for 45-60 minutes. Once the skin is crisp and golden brown, note that the potatoes are ready. Take them out, cut with a knife and serve with your favorite topping!

... in the Microwave

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Oil and salt (optional)

Method of Preparation
Clean the potatoes with a soft brush and water. When gotten rid of all the spots, dry them. You can follow the above mentioned oiling and salting methods but it is optional. Now make several holes in the potatoes with a fork. Place a batch of potatoes in the microwave and cook for 8-10 minutes. When the skin of the potatoes is crisp and golden brown, your microwave baked potato is ready.

... on the Grill

Ingredients

• 2 potatoes
• 2 slices of butter
• 1 small onion
• Stuffing (your choice)

Method of Preparation
Wash the potatoes in the above mentioned method and slice in half. Next, place each slice of butter in each potato. Also add the stuffing inside the potatoes. Now you need to wrap the potatoes in a foil. Bake on a preheated closed grill for 45-60 minutes. Your baked potatoes are ready when the skin becomes crisp.

... in a Crock Pot

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Herbs (your choice)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method of Preparation
Wash the potatoes with a brush and water and let them dry completely. Make holes in the potatoes with a fork. Now oil the potatoes with your hands or by dipping them in oil. Also sprinkle salt and pepper and your favorite herbs on the potatoes. Next, place all the oiled and seasoned potatoes in the crock pot. Bake on the 'low' for 6-8 hours. When the potatoes are crisp from out and tender from inside, take them out. Cut and garnish with your favorite toppings. This is one of the best methods of making baked red potatoes.

If you are wondering how long does it take to make baked potatoes, then it depends on the method that you use. As seen above, a microwave takes only 9-10 minutes to bake potatoes, whereas baking potatoes in the crock pot requires nearly 6-8 hours. When talking of baked potato calories, a single baked potato contains nearly 275-280 calories. Secondly, if you add cream cheese, butter, cheese as topping; the number of calories increases.

I hope these recipes were helpful to you. So, what are you waiting for, try the method that you find the easiest and serve homemade delicious baked potatoes for your next meal. Your family / friends are sure to like it! Good luck!