Oven Baked Potatoes with Garlic Salt and Herbs Recipe
This recipe guides you through making perfectly oven-baked russet potatoes with a crispy skin and fluffy interior. Coated in melted butter and seasoned with garlic salt, these potatoes are wrapped in foil and baked until tender, making for a comforting and versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 to 60 minutes
- Total Time: 55 to 70 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 medium-sized russet potatoes
Seasoning and Topping
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- Garlic salt, to taste
- Optional: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Start by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it reaches the right temperature for baking your potatoes evenly.
- Prepare the potatoes: Wash the russet potatoes thoroughly under cold running water, scrubbing any dirt off. Pat them dry completely with a clean towel. Leaving the skins on preserves flavor and texture, but peeling is optional.
- Pierce the potatoes: Use a fork to prick each potato several times on all sides. This allows steam to escape during baking and prevents bursting.
- Brush with melted butter: Pour melted butter into a bowl and use a pastry brush to coat every potato generously, which encourages a flavorful, crispy skin.
- Sprinkle with garlic salt: Season the potatoes evenly with garlic salt. Add freshly ground black pepper or additional seasonings if you wish for extra flavor.
- Wrap in foil: Tightly wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil to lock in moisture during baking and help them cook evenly.
- Arrange on a cookie sheet: Place the foil-wrapped potatoes in a single layer on a cookie sheet. This makes them easy to handle and keeps your oven clean.
- Bake the potatoes: Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on potato size. Check doneness by poking with a fork; the potatoes should feel soft inside and the fork should slide in easily.
- Remove from the oven: Carefully take the cookie sheet out and let the potatoes rest for a few minutes before unwrapping the foil to avoid steam burns.
- Serve: Unwrap the foil and slice open your baked potatoes. Top with your favorite additions such as sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, or fresh herbs for a delicious finish.
Notes
- Wrapping the potatoes in foil helps retain moisture but results in softer skins; for crispier skins, bake without foil.
- Russet potatoes are preferred due to their starchy texture, which yields fluffy interiors.
- You can prick the potatoes in advance and refrigerate them until ready to bake.
- Leftover baked potatoes can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference, including butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, or bacon bits.
Keywords: oven baked potatoes, russet potatoes recipe, baked potatoes, easy side dish, garlic butter potatoes
