If you are new to cooking, knowing how long to bake a potato is one of the most fundamental skills you will need to know to prepare delicious dinners. If you undercook your potatoes, they will be hard and crunchy and not very appetizing, not to mention difficult to mash. On the other hand, if you leave them in the oven for too long, they can end up too crispy on the outside and dry on the inside.
There are a number of factors that influence how long it takes to bake a potato. Here we will give you a guideline for different sizes and types of potatoes as well as different ways to bake them.
How long to bake a potato – size matters
One factor that affects the length of time needed to bake potatoes is the size of the potatoes. The smaller the potatoes, the faster they will be done. If you are baking very small potatoes then they won’t take nearly as long as larger potatoes. If you have very large potatoes and need to speed up the process, you can always cut them into smaller pieces before placing them in the oven.
If you like your potatoes to have a crispy skin, they can be left in the oven until the skin is golden brown and crispy. If you prefer soft skin, you can bake them faster by wrapping the potatoes in tin foil (shiny side in).
The amount of time it takes also depends on the temperature at which you set your oven. Many people like to bake their potatoes at the same time as other dishes to save baking time. If this is the case, then the hotter the oven, the shorter the baking time.
For an average sized potato with no foil at 425 degrees, you will need about 45 minutes (longer if you like crispy skins). At 350 degrees it will take up to an hour or slightly longer to be fully baked depending on the size. Don’t forget to poke some holes in the potatoes with a fork before placing them in the oven.
If you are wrapping the potato in foil, then the baking time should be slightly less. Poke the potatoes with a fork or a skewer to test if they are done. If it goes in easily, they are done baking.
How long to bake a potato – faster methods
Of course if you have a convection oven, you can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes. Usually 20 minutes is the longest you will need to bake an average sized potato. You can reduce baking time even further by using the microwave. Although it may not be as tasty as oven-baked, it can definitely save time in a pinch. A potato can be baked in as little as 3 minutes per side. It is very important to poke holes in the potato before placing in the microwave or you may get a nasty surprise.
As you can see, the length of time it takes to prepare baked potatoes depends mainly on the size of the potatoes you are baking. With these general guidelines for how long to bake a potato you shouldn’t have any problems making sure they are perfectly baked before serving them.