In this blog post I will show you that you do not need aluminum foil to make oven-baked potatoes. I have been making them this way for a long time and you can too! All you need are potatoes, a little canola oil and a little bit of salt and you can make a baked potato with slightly crispy skin and fluffy insides.

If you have read this blog then you know that potatoes are my favorite savory food (cake is my favorite dessert). Now I love many foods, but if I had to pick one sweet and one savory, these are them. I even have a section of this blog just for all the delightful potato recipes we love.

Four Perfect Baked Potato in the Oven with No Foil on a rimmed baking sheet with the recipe title at the top in text.

Why you’ll love this easy baked potato recipe
What is the best kind of potato for baking?
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
How to bake a potato without foil
Is it better to bake potatoes with or without foil?
What temperature should a baked potato be cooked at?
Should I poke holes in potato before baking?
Final thought
Main dishes that go well with baked potatoes
How to Make Perfect Baked Potato in Oven with No Foil ↓

One oven baked potato topped with shredded cheese on a plate.

Why you’ll love this easy baked potato recipe

All you need is 3 simple ingredients (plus toppings).
You can make as many potatoes as needed in about the same amount of cooking time.
No tin foil or parchment paper is needed.
It is a healthy and simple side dish.

One plain baked potato that was baked in the oven without foil.

What is the best kind of potato for baking?

Any potato can be baked but we think Russet potatoes are the best potatoes for baking because of their high starch content and low moisture.

Ingredients

See recipe card for the amounts we use.

Four raw potatoes, a small bowl of canola oil and a small bowl of salt on a rimmed baking sheet.

Ingredient Notes

Potatoes – we like smaller potatoes (5-8 ounces) for a side dish and larger potatoes (9-12 ounces) for a main dish.

Oil – we use canola oil, vegetable oil or olive oil can be used if you are keeping the temperature at 350°. Some oils may have a lower smoke point so keep that in mind if you are using a different oil. Very Well Fit has a great article about the smoke point of different oils, so if you are thinking of baking your potatoes at a higher temperature then you might want to check it out.

Salt – we like kosher salt for this because it is coarse and sticks to the potato well. Sea salt or regular table salt will work if you don’t have kosher salt.

Close up view of baked potatoes on a sheet pan after they have been cooked.

How to bake a potato without foil

Make sure one oven rack is as near the center of the oven as possible then preheat the oven to 350°.
Scrub potatoes under cold water and dry with a paper towel. Pierce several times with a fork (I usually pierce them on all 4 sides and both ends). Place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet.
Pour canola oil in a small bowl and use a basting brush to coat the outside of each potato with oil. Sprinkle salt on one side of the potatoes, turn over and sprinkle salt on that side.
Bake 45-60 minutes, you will know it is done when a fork goes into the potato easily when you push it in. You can use an instant-read thermometer if you have one, the internal temperature of a cooked potato should be 200°-205°. I do have a meat thermometer but have never used it for this. I find that poking it with a fork is an easy method that is accurate.
Slit each potato lengthwise down the middle with a sharp knife, using your index finger and thumb of both hands pinch the end of the slit and push gently to pop open the potato. Be careful not to burn yourself because the potato is hot and steam will emit from it.
Top with a pat of butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, a sprinkle of salt and black pepper, or your favorite toppings.

Four potatoes on a sheet pan before they have been baked.

Is it better to bake potatoes with or without foil?

That depends on if you want soft skins or crispy skins. Wrapping a potato in aluminum foil before baking it will essentially steam the potato and the end result will be soft skin. Baking the potato on a sheet pan without foil will result in a crispier skin.

What temperature should a baked potato be cooked at?

Somewhere between 350° and 400° works best. I like to keep mine down around 350° to ensure the inside gets cooked before the potato skin gets singed. It is okay to adjust oven temperature up or down a little, especially if you are making a main dish that needs to bake at a slightly lower or higher temperature.

The size of the potatoes plays a part here, but below are the temperatures and approximate times to bake 6-8 ounce potatoes.

75-90 minutes at 325°
45-60 minutes at 350°
35-45 minutes at 400°

You will know the potato is done when a fork inserted into it slides in easy.

One oven baked potato that is topped with shredded cheese that has melted a little bit.

Should I poke holes in potato before baking?

Poking holes in the potato with a fork will allow steam to escape resulting in a fluffy texture. Rumor has it that a potato will explode if you don’t poke holes in them before you bake them. I have forgotten to poke holes a couple of times and they did not explode. The steam escapes through the skin.

Final thought

We hope you like these baked potatoes as much as we do. If you don’t want to bake your potato in the regular oven, or you need a method that takes less time, I have an air fryer recipe that is super easy and quick.

Main dishes that go well with baked potatoes

Air Fryer Cube Steak

Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Country Style Ribs in the Air Fryer

Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Bookmark this page so you can find it easily when you are ready to make this recipe!