Toaster oven baked potatoes are a classic side dish that couldn’t be easier to make. Crispy skin and a fluffy inside are how these will turn out every time. Whether you want one for a busy weeknight dinner or a fancy date night at home, cooking potatoes in the toaster oven is the only way to go. Whether you call these jacket potatoes or baked potatoes, this is the best recipe for cooking them.
For the best way to bake a potato in the toaster oven, try this quick & easy recipe. Instead of turning on your big oven, bake one or more potatoes in a small or large toaster oven to save energy and time. My toaster oven is a Breville smart oven and air fryer combination and it is great for baking potatoes. The convection in the toaster oven bakes them faster than if you cook them in a regular oven. This is a great weeknight recipe to cook potatoes fast and easy for a quick side dish.
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Ingredients for Baked Potatoes
To make baked potatoes in the toaster oven you will need baking potatoes to start. I typically use russet potatoes and all the information in this recipe will reflect using that kind. Along with the russet potatoes, olive oil, and salt is all you need for a perfect side dish.
Washing and Prepping Russet Potatoes
Scrub each of your potatoes with water and use a brush if needed. Dry them thoroughly. Once the potaotes are dry, using a pastry brush, coat the skins with a little bit of olive oil. Next, sprinkle on a bit of salt. The last step is to poke each potato two times with a fork. This is to make sure the potatoes do not split or burst as the steam builds up inside while they cook.
From the image below you can see how small my potatoes are. My kids love baked potatoes but for a complete meal and to be sure they have a balanced diet, I usually make small ones. By the time they load it with all the good toppings, it is plenty filling and they still have room to eat the rest of the meal. These small russet potatoes are about 4 ounces each and I will bake them for 35 minutes.
How to Bake Potatoes in a Toaster Oven
Preheat your toaster oven on bake for 400°. Then set the timer for the number of minutes needed, see the grid below for best times based on the size of your potatoes. I have included all the information you need for cooking potatoes in the toaster oven both on bake or with a convection setting.
Once it is preheated, carefully place the prepared russet potatoes on the middle rack of your toaster oven. Close the door and let them cook. There is no need to turn them or rotate them. The baked potatoes that are done in my Breville smart oven air fryer are the best with crispy salty skin and the flesh is soft.
How Long to Bake Potatoes in a Toaster Oven
Decide if you will be using a regular toaster oven setting, similar to “bake” on your standard oven, or if you will be using a convection setting. Either way, you can make perfectly baked potatoes. Once you know which you prefer, set the temperature and timer based on the cooking guide below. If you are not sure how big your potatoes are, a grid with measurements and weights is shared below for easy reference.
Temperature & Time For Baking Russets
In the toaster oven at 400°, here are the baking times for potatoes based on their size.
- Small – 35 – 40 minutes
- Medium – 45 – 50 minutes
- Large – 60 – 65 minutes
- Extra Large (12oz+) – 75+ minutes (like the huge ones from Costco!)
If using the convection setting of your oven preheated at 375°, here are the baking times.
- Small – 30 minutes
- Medium – 40 minutes
- Large – 50 minutes
- Extra Large (12oz+) – 60+ minutes (like the huge ones from Costco!)
Russet Potato Sizes by Measurements & Weights
How long to bake a potato depends on its size of it. Wondering how to figure out what size potato you have? Below is how you can calculate how big your russet potatoes are so you know how long they will take to cook. You can measure them with a tape measure or ruler in inches. Or you can weigh them to figure out if you have small, medium, or large baking potatoes. Once you know how big they are, you can then set the oven timer for the correct amount of time as shared above.
less than 160 grams
MEDIUM
170 – 255 grams
LARGE
256 – 340 gram
How to Tell When a Baked Potato is Done Cooking
The best way to test if your potatoes are done baking is actually a two-step process. The first step is to give it a good squeeze. Carefully open the toaster oven door and with an oven mitt on your hand, give the potato a gentle squeeze. Try not to break the skin open. If it feels firm and has very little give, let it keep cooking. If it does give and feels soft, it may be ready.
Once the potato does have a good give to it, you can then double-check it using a sharp skinny knife. Insert it into the middle of the potato and if it slides in easily, it is ready. I like to not poke my potatoes too many times as it releases too much steam and opens up the potato too much. Keeping it intact helps it cook the flesh evenly. This is why I do not advise starting off with the knife method first. It should be the final step to ensure the russet is fully cooked.
How to Cut & Open a Hot Baked Potato
Here is my favorite way to cut and push open a baked potato. The skin parts beautifully where the slits are. Then a little “smush” and the flesh starts to burst out. The toppings cannot wait to be added.
Best Toppings for Baked Potatoes
Here are some of my favorite topping ideas for baked potatoes. These are the best ideas for the ultimate side dish toppings:
- Butter
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Chives
- Bacon
- SLOW COOKER BEEF & BACON CHILI
- Cheese Sauce
- RANCH DRESSING
- Pulled Pork
- Taco Meat
- Black Beans
- Salsa
- Cilantro
- Any of the above combined together – I love taco meat, cheese, salsa, & sour cream together!
What to Serve with Baked Potatoes
Here are some great recipe ideas that go well with baked potatoes. All of these main courses and other side dishes are great to serve with these. Make a full meal with some of my favorites.
Storing & Reheating Baked Potatoes
If you have leftovers, baked potatoes store easily in the refrigerator. Wrap each in foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
When ready to eat, remove from the foil and place on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in the microwave for 3-5 minutes or until hot. It will depend on the size of your potato. To heat in the toaster oven, set for 400° and heat for 10 minutes.
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