Best Baked Potatoes for Two

We wanted a uniformly fluffy interior encased in thin, crisp skin—and we baked nearly 200 pounds of potatoes to get it.

YIELD 2

TIME 1½ hours

Best Baked Potatoes for Two photo

Why This Recipe Works

Gather Your Ingredients

Key Equipment

Key Equipment - The Best Paring Knives

Before You Begin

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Open up the potatoes immediately after removal from the oven so steam can escape. Top them as desired, or with one of our toppings.

Instructions

1.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Dissolve 2 tablespoons salt in ½ cup water in medium bowl. Place potatoes in bowl and toss so exteriors of potatoes are evenly moistened. Transfer potatoes to wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet and bake until center of largest potato registers 205 degrees, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

2.

Remove potatoes from oven and brush tops and sides with oil. Return potatoes to oven and continue to bake for 10 minutes.

3.

Remove potatoes from oven and, using paring knife, make 2 slits, forming X, in each potato. Using clean dish towel, hold ends and squeeze slightly to push flesh up and out. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Test Kitchen Techniques

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