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4 Tips to Help You Cook a Perfect Baked Potato Every Time
**Pro tip:** Don’t go overboard—3 to 4 pokes per potato is plenty.
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### 🌡️ **3. Bake Directly on the Oven Rack at the Right Temperature**
To get that **crispy skin** and evenly cooked interior, skip the foil and bake the potato **directly on the oven rack**.
* **Bake at 400°F (200°C)** for 45–60 minutes, depending on the size of the potato.
* Place a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips if you like.
**Why skip the foil?**
Wrapping potatoes in foil traps steam and makes the skin soft and soggy. Baking unwrapped allows the skin to crisp up and the inside to stay dry and fluffy.
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### 🧈 **4. Finish with a Flavor Boost**
Once the potato is fully baked (you should be able to easily pierce it with a knife), don’t stop there.
* **Slice it open immediately** to let the steam escape, which keeps the interior fluffy.
* Add a **pat of butter, sprinkle of sea salt, and cracked black pepper** for simple perfection.
* Or load it up with your favorite toppings—**sour cream, cheese, chives, bacon bits, hot sauce**, or even pulled pork.
**Bonus tip:** Lightly brush the skin with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before baking for a restaurant-style finish.
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### ✅ **How to Tell When It’s Done**
* The potato should feel soft when squeezed (use tongs!).
* A knife or skewer should slide in without resistance.
* The skin will be crispy, and the inside should feel light and tender.
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## 🥄 Final Thoughts
Mastering the baked potato is all about using the right technique and a little bit of patience. With these four easy tips, you’ll never suffer through an undercooked or soggy potato again. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or making it the star of the meal, the **perfect baked potato** is just a few simple steps away.
Now, grab those russets and bake with confidence—you’ve got this!
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