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Baked potato with vegan butter and green onions
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How Long to Cook a Baked Potato at 400°F: Your Ultimate Guide

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly baked potato—crispy skin, fluffy insides, and endless topping possibilities. But you might wonder how long to cook a baked potato at 400°F to achieve that ideal texture. Learn the best techniques, tips, and tricks for perfect baked potatoes.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword how long to cook a baked potato at 400
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 1 serving
Calories 168kcal
Author Cindy Newland with Intentionally Eat

Ingredients

  • 1 potato russet
  • olive oil spray
  • coarse salt

Instructions

  • Preheat Your Oven: Preheat to 400°F (200°C).
  • Prepare the Potato: Scrub the potato thoroughly under running water to remove dirt. Pat dry with a towel.
  • Poke Holes: Use a fork or knife to pierce the potato a few times.
    a fork being poked into a potato
  • Coat for Crispiness: Rub the potato with a light layer of olive oil and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
    potato being sprinkled with salt
  • Bake Directly on the Rack: Place the potato directly on the oven rack.
  • Bake Until Tender: Bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of the potato. They're ready when the skin is crispy, and a knife slides easily into the center.
    a baked potato

Optional

  • Optional Finishing Touch: For extra crispiness, turn the oven to 425°F (220°C) for the last 5-10 minutes.

Notes

The Nutritional Information is only an estimate based on the basic recipe without the optional ingredients. The accuracy of this recipe may differ depending on the ingredients you use.

Tips
Do not wrap the potato in foil if you want crispy skin. Wrapping in foil traps steam, which softens the skin instead of allowing it to crisp up.
For the crispiest skin, bake the potato unwrapped directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet with a wire rack to allow air circulation. If you're looking for soft skin instead, foil is a good option, but it won't achieve that delicious crispiness.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you have leftover baked potatoes, don’t toss them! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, pop them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10–15 minutes. This method brings back the crispy skin and fluffy interior.

Serving

Slice open, fluff the inside with a fork, and top with your favorite toppings like vegan butter, vegan sour cream, chives, or vegan cheese. Enjoy the perfect balance of crispy skin and fluffy interior!
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1medium potato | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 5g | Fiber: 4g