Baked potatoes are a quick and convenient way meal for when you do not want to cook after a long day, but it can be disappointing if they come out of the oven tasteless and mushy.
Kate, a cook and founder of Cookie and Kate, has shared that the biggest mistake people make when cooking baked potatoes is wrapping them up in tin foil.
She said: “Foil traps moisture, which produces a soggy exterior. We want the excess moisture to escape from the potato during baking. That way, we’ll get crispy outsides and condensed potato flavour on the insides.”
If you wish to avoid a pulpy baked potato then all you have to do is add a little bit of your favourite fat such as butter or oil just when they are ready to come out of the oven.
Kate explained; “This step is key to achieving those crispy, flavorful exteriors. It works so well because we’re adding the butter or oil at the end of baking.
“Add it too early, and it can burn before the potatoes are done. I found that butter produced a nicer flavour and texture, but oil works well if you’re following a dairy-free or vegan diet.”
It may seem simple, but many people do not realise that adding butter (or oil) at the end of cooking baked potatoes helps seal in the moisture to prevent them from drying out.
It is also important to add a little bit of salt to your baked potatoes once they are cooked as it helps enhance the flavour of the potato skin, but seasoning will only stay put if you add butter or oil first.
How to make the perfect baked potato
You will need:
- One to four medium Russet potatoes
- One tablespoon of melted butter or extra-virgin oil
- Salt
- Favourite toppings (cheese, sour cream, chives, etc)
Recipe:
To begin, preheat the oven to 220C and place a rack directly in the middle of the oven.
Scrub the potatoes clean under running water and make sure to prick the potatoes all over with a fork.
Place your potatoes on a baking sheet on the middle rack and then cook for 45 to one hour. You will know the baked potato is ready when a fork can easily pierce the middle of the potato.
Once the potatoes are done, take out the oven and brush the skin with melted butter (or oil). Sprinkle them with salt and return to the oven to bake for 10 more minutes.
When the time is up, promptly take them out of the oven and slice them open to release the stem.
Add your favourite toppings and your perfect mouthwatering baked potato is ready to serve.
