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Baked Potato Hack

This easy baked potato hack uses the microwave and oven to make russet potatoes with crisp skins and fluffy centers. A quick 5-minute rest finishes these simply seasoned potatoes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 37 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 47 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 russet potatoes medium, about 8 ounces each
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt

Equipment

  • 1 microwave-safe plate
  • 1 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Scrub the potatoes clean and dry them well.
  3. Pierce each potato several times with a fork.
  4. Arrange the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on HIGH for 8 to 12 minutes, turning them halfway through, until a knife goes in with slight resistance.
  5. Rub the potatoes with the olive oil and kosher salt.
  6. Set the potatoes on an 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the skins are crisp and a knife slides easily into the centers.
  7. Let the potatoes rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For the crispest skins, dry the potatoes thoroughly before microwaving. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days; freezing is possible, though the texture may soften. For a lower-sodium option, reduce the kosher salt to taste.