There are literally thousands of ways to cook potatoes: fried potatoes today, mashed potatoes tomorrow, potato skins the day after tomorrow, and french fries the day after that! But you can never go wrong with a classic baked potato. Not many can resist the flavorful skin and fluffy insides, making it a delicious yet easy recipe for everyone to enjoy. Keep reading to learn how to bake the perfect potato in a classic toaster oven!
How to Bake a Potato in a Toaster Oven Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- One potato—I chose a russet potato
- Favorite toppings—optional
Instructions
- Wash the potato and let it dry.
- Preheat the toaster oven to 400°F with a cook time of 50-55 minutes.
- Rub 1/4 teaspoon of the olive oil on the potato.
- Poke holes in the potato with a fork – 6 to 8 times will be enough. Don’t forget to skip this step; the potato may explode in the oven.
- Place the potato on a baking sheet, or wrap it in a sheet of aluminum foil and put it in the toaster oven.
- The toaster oven will automatically beep when the potato is done. The potatoes should have a crispy skin when ready to eat.
- Your potatoes are ready! Allow them to cool slightly on the plate and serve.
How to Bake a Potato in a Toaster Oven
Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 potato—I chose a russet potato
- Favorite toppings—optional
Instructions
- Wash the potato and let them dry.
- Preheat the toaster oven to 400°F with a timer of 50-55 minutes.
- Rub olive oil on the potato.
- Poke holes in the potato with a fork - 6 to 8 times will be enough. Don’t forget to skip this step; the potato may explode in the oven.
- Put the potato in the toaster oven now.
- The toaster oven will automatically beep when the potato is done.
- Your potatoes are ready. Allow them to cool slightly on the plate and serve.
Baking More Than One Potato
This recipe is for one whole potato, but you can bake multiple potatoes at one time in a toaster oven. It depends on the size of your oven. If you have a smaller oven, just make them in smaller batches. Be sure to place potatoes in a single layer to bake evenly. Here, we suggest you add 10 – 15 minutes of cooking time when baking four or more potatoes at a time.
How to Select the Perfect Potato
Pay close attention to the appearance of the potato – it should be even, not bumpy, without cracks, spots, build-ups, and other defects. Choose clean potatoes with no soil adhering to them. The color of the vegetable should be uniform, without variations from dark to light. The best potatoes are firm, so pass on any ones that feel soft. Your potato size is up to you, but larger potatoes are best.
The Best Baked Potato Toppings
There are so many different toppings that you can add to your baked potato other than just a little salt and butter. Here are some of my favorite toppings that will jam-pack your starchy potatoes with decadent flavor.
- Cheese: If you love cheese, make your baked potatoes cheesy by adding cream cheese, shredded cheddar, or parmesan cheese.
- Herbs: Give it a more herbaceous taste and add fresh rosemary or chives.
- Bacon: Bacon crumbles are the go-to topping for baked potatoes!
- Sour Cream: Sour cream is another classic topping that adds a yummy, rich creaminess to your potatoes.
What Goes with Baked Potatoes?
Baked potatoes can be served with a variety of dishes such as coconut chicken curry, broccoli, and cheese casserole, Mississippi pot roast, Mexican beans, eggplant caponata, creamy coleslaw, minty snap pea salad, boneless pork chops, sirloin steak with garlic butter, cheeseburger meatloaf, and many more. For more ideas, you can check out these sources:
- Pantry and Larder suggest 39 delicious side dishes to serve with baked potatoes.
- Kitchn lists 20 ways to turn a baked potato into dinner.
- Izzy Cooking recommends main courses and side dishes to serve with baked potatoes.
- Insanely Good Recipes offers 15 delicious ideas to serve with baked potatoes.
- Delish suggests 21 best baked potato toppings to try.
Storing & Reheating Potatoes
You can refrigerate leftover baked potatoes for up to 4 days in a covered glass container.
1. Reheating in Your Toaster Oven
Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F and place the whole potato directly on the oven rack and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through.
2. Reheating in Your Microwave
If you want to reheat in the microwave, slice the baked potatoes in half and place them on a plate (must be microwave safe). Microwave for 2-4 minutes or until warm.