So I know what you’re thinking, who needs a recipe for a baked potato? Trust me, this will be the best baked potato you’ve tried.

What You Need:
Baking Potatoes ( I like to choose my own instead of buying a bulk bag so I can choose the same sized ones)
Olive Oil
Salt
Butter
Sour Cream
Cheddar Cheese (optional)
Chives (optional)

What To Do:
Preheat your oven to 400 °F.

Using a potato scrubber or your hands thoroughly wash your potatoes. Once they are nice and clean dry them with a towel or paper towel. Place in a baking dish or sheet. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil, just enough to coat the potato(approximately ½ a teaspoon per potato), then sprinkle both sides of the potato with salt. Make sure not to overcrowd your dish, there should be space between your potatoes. 
 

***NOTE: Never cut, pierce, or parboil your potatoes. To make a good potato you need at least 1 hour, prepare yourself for this because there are no shortcuts to a perfect baked potato!!

Place your potatoes in the oven, uncovered for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can test the doneness of your potato by gently sticking a fork (not a knife) in the center of the potato. If you can pierce it easily without any resistance, your potato is done. 

Remove the potatoes from the oven. You will notice they have a nice crispy outer skin, the interior will be soft and fluffy. To cut your potato, use a fork (DO NOT USE A KNIFE, this is so important, if you use a knife to cut the potato you will not be able to get that fluffy consistency that makes it so perfect) make a cross in your potato, as pictured below. 

Using a paper towel (to avoid burning your hands), squeeze the ends of the potato in towards the center. Your potato will form a perfect little potato bowl. 

Sprinkle a pinch of salt into your potato. Now the fun part, add whatever toppings youlike, I like to add just the basics, butter and sour cream but you can add chives, cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Serve with your favourite meal and/or sides, or enjoy it all on its own!