How To Bake a Potato

Step 1

Heat the oven to 425°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 425ºF while you're preparing the potatoes.

Step 2

Scrub the potatoes clean. Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water and pat them dry. You don't have to remove the eyes, but trim away any blemishes with a paring knife.

Step 3

Rub the potatoes with olive oil. Rub the potatoes all over with a little olive oil. It's easiest to use your hands, but a pastry brush also works fine.

Step 4

Season the potatoes. Generously sprinkle the potatoes on all sides with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Prick all over with a fork. Prick the potatoes in a few places with the tines of a fork. This allows steam to escape from the baking potato.

Step 6

Bake the potatoes. You can bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack, or you can place them a few inches apart on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake the potatoes for 50 to 60 minutes. Flip them over every 20 minutes or so and check them for doneness by piercing them with a fork. The potatoes are done when the skins are dry and the insides feel completely soft when pierced.