What Temperature and Time Should You Bake Potatoes?

A medium potato bakes unwrapped at 200–220°C / 390–430°F for 45–60 minutes; large potatoes may take 70–75 minutes. Unlike boiling, baking uses dry heat, crisping the skin while the inside becomes soft and fluffy. Prick the potatoes in several places with a fork before baking to help steam escape and prevent them from bursting.

How Does Wrapping in Foil Change the Result?

A potato wrapped in foil effectively steams in the oven: the foil traps moisture, keeping the skin soft and moist, and may shorten the cooking time slightly. An unwrapped potato develops a crisp, crunchy skin, so bake without foil if you plan to eat the skin. For extra-crisp skin, rub the potato with olive oil and sprinkle it with coarse salt before baking. The salt draws out moisture and helps dry the skin.

How to Tell When a Potato Is Done

The most reliable method is to insert a thin knife or skewer into the thickest part of the potato. If it slides in without resistance, the potato is done. Gently squeezing it can also give you a clue: a cooked potato yields slightly, while a raw one remains firm.

How Do Half and Sliced Potatoes Differ in Cooking Time?

Cut the potato in half and place it cut-side down on a baking sheet; the larger contact area helps it bake at 220–230°C / 430–445°F in 25–35 minutes. Thinly sliced potatoes cook even faster; 15–20 minutes is enough, but they can burn more easily, so bake them in the center of the oven and check them occasionally.

Can Small and Large Potatoes Bake on the Same Tray?

If potatoes of very different sizes are baked together, the smaller ones may cook and dry out before the larger ones are done. Bake potatoes of similar size together whenever possible to make the timing easier to estimate and help them finish at the same time.

Does Potato Variety Affect Cooking Time?

High-starch, floury potatoes soften faster in the oven and develop a fluffier interior; they are often chosen for baking. Lower-starch, waxy potatoes may take a little longer and remain denser and firmer inside. Washing potatoes without drying them thoroughly can also extend the cooking time because surface moisture uses the oven's initial heat to evaporate before the skin can dry.

Does Baking on a Rack Make a Difference?

If potatoes are placed directly on the oven rack or on a wire rack, hot air reaches all sides and the skin can crisp more evenly. On a baking sheet, the side in contact with the pan gets less airflow and may be less crisp. Place an empty baking sheet below the rack to catch drips and keep the oven floor clean. Turning the potatoes halfway through cooking allows the side that was facing down to get more airflow and can reduce the difference.