Hey there, fellow food enthusiasts! Today’s dish on Beyond The Bayou Blog is a humble yet beloved classic: Baked Potatoes. As a food blogger, I’m always on the lookout for simple yet satisfying recipes that bring back memories of home-cooked goodness.
One of my fondest memories of baked potatoes goes back to a chilly winter evening when my mom surprised us with a baked potato with Creamy Pesto Sauce for dinner. We each got to customize our potatoes with our favorite toppings, from melted cheese to crispy bacon and tangy sour cream. It was a fun and interactive meal that brought the whole family together.
In this recipe, I’ve kept things simple yet flavorful, letting the natural goodness of the potatoes shine through. So grab your favorite toppings and join me in rediscovering the joy of a perfectly baked potato—it’s a timeless classic that never fails to satisfy!
Overview: How To Make Baked Potatoes?
Today, I’m sharing a simple yet delicious recipe for Garlic Butter Roasted Potatoes. This dish combines the rich flavors of butter, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a mouthwatering coating for tender, baked potatoes.
To start, preheat your oven and prepare a buttery mixture in a microwave-safe bowl. After scrubbing your potatoes, poke them with a fork and generously coat them with the buttery goodness before wrapping them up in foil.
Pop these beauties in the oven, and within an hour, you’ll have perfectly roasted potatoes that are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Once they’re done, don’t forget to spread any leftover butter mixture over the potatoes for an extra burst of flavor.
This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner or a side dish that complements any main course. It’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Enjoy!
Baked Potato Recipe
Equipment
- Microwave-Safe Bowl
- Fork
- Aluminum foil
- Baking sheet or oven-safe dish
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 6 medium potatoes scrubbed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl, then mix in olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Poke holes in potatoes and coat with butter mixture, then wrap in foil.
- Bake for about 1 hour until tender.
- Spread remaining butter mixture over cooked potatoes before serving.
Nutrition
Tips You Should Consider!
- Potato Type: I usually opt for Russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes) for this recipe, but you can use other types like red or Yukon gold potatoes.
- Size Consideration: Since Russet potatoes are typically larger, adjust the baking time if using smaller varieties like red potatoes.
- Uniform Size: Choose potatoes of similar sizes to ensure even cooking; otherwise, you may end up with unevenly cooked potatoes.
- Freshness Note: Oven-baked potatoes are best enjoyed immediately to maintain their crispy skin; they may soften as they cool.
These Toppings Are a Must-Try for You!
- Classic loaded baked potato: topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and/or green onions.
- Chili baked potato: topped with traditional or vegetarian chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, and/or avocado.
- Guacamole baked potato: topped with a generous scoop of guacamole, optional extra cheese, and/or crumbled tortilla chips.
- Broccoli cheese baked potato: topped with broccoli and melted cheddar cheese.
What to Serve with Baked Potato?
Store These Potatoes for Later!
- To keep your potatoes hot: Wrap each one in foil to retain warmth in the oven with residual heat. Alternatively, place the wrapped potatoes in your instant pot or slow cooker on the lowest heat or ‘keep warm’ setting. Expect wrinkled skin and slight browning after about an hour.
- To Store: Let baked potatoes cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Uncover and reheat baked potatoes in the oven at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes to restore crispness to the skins. You can also use an air fryer to reheat until warmed through, as demonstrated with our Air Fryer Baked Potatoes recipe.
- To Freeze: After cooling, pre-freeze baked potatoes on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Why Do I Need to Poke Holes in Potatoes to Bake Them?
Poking holes in potatoes before baking allows steam to escape, preventing the potatoes from bursting as they cook. This simple step ensures even cooking and helps the potatoes cook through without becoming soggy or unevenly cooked. It also helps the potatoes retain their shape and texture, resulting in perfectly baked potatoes with a fluffy interior and crispy skin.
Is It Better to Bake Potatoes Covered or Uncovered?
It’s generally better to bake potatoes uncovered to allow the heat to evenly penetrate and crisp up the skins. This helps achieve a deliciously fluffy interior and a crispy exterior. However, if you prefer softer skins, you can cover the potatoes with foil for part of the baking time and then uncover them towards the end for a balance of texture.