4 Tips to Help You Cook a Perfect Baked Potato Every Time

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**“4 Tips to Help You Cook a Perfect Baked Potato Every Time”**

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## 🥔 4 Tips to Help You Cook a Perfect Baked Potato Every Time

A perfectly baked potato is a simple pleasure—crispy skin, fluffy interior, and endless topping possibilities. But despite its humble appearance, baking a potato to perfection can be trickier than it looks. Whether your potatoes end up too hard, too dry, or unevenly cooked, don’t worry. With a few smart techniques, you can master the art of the **perfect baked potato**—every single time.

Here are **4 essential tips** that will elevate your baked potatoes from basic to brilliant.

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### 🔥 **1. Choose the Right Potato**

Not all potatoes bake the same way. For that classic fluffy texture inside, **russet potatoes** (also called Idaho potatoes) are your best bet.

* **Why russets?**
They have thick skins and starchy interiors that crisp up beautifully on the outside and turn soft and airy on the inside.

**Avoid:** Waxy varieties like red or Yukon gold potatoes for baking—they’re better suited for boiling or roasting.

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### 🔪 **2. Don’t Skip the Poke**

Before baking, always **pierce your potato with a fork** a few times.

* This allows steam to escape as the potato bakes, preventing it from bursting in the oven.
* Poking also helps the heat penetrate more evenly, speeding up the cooking process.

**Pro tip:** Don’t go overboard—3 to 4 pokes per potato is plenty.

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