A vibrant photo showing a perfectly baked jacket potato with a crispy, golden skin, cut open and topped with a generous knob of butter. The background is a dark, black wooden texture surface. This image demonstrates jacket potato preparation techniques.
Fruit & Veg Prep

Perfect Jacket Potatoes – Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside

Enhance your potato cooking skills with our guide on jacket potato preparation techniques. Learn how to cook jacket potatoes perfectly using simple steps. Our step-by-step instructions ensure you get the most out of your potatoes, whether for a meal or a side dish.

How to Cook Jacket Potatoes

    Equipment Needed:

    • Knife
    • Oven

    Step-by-Step Instructions for Jacket Potato Preparation Techniques:

    1. Preheat the Oven: First, preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
    2. Prep the Potato: Next, prick the skin of the potato a couple of times all over. This stops it from bursting while cooking.
    3. Oil and Salt the Potato: Rub the potato skin with about 1 tablespoon of oil. Sprinkle over a pinch of salt.
    4. Bake the Potato: Put the potato directly on to the shelf in the oven and bake for 1 hour for a small to medium potato, or up to 1 hour 20 minutes for a larger potato. It’s best to check after 1 hour. You want a crispy golden skin and a soft, fluffy inside.
    5. Serve the Potato: Remove the potato from the oven and make a cross cut. Serve with a generous knob of butter and the fillings of your choice.

    Jacket potatoes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. Therefore, knowing how to cook jacket potatoes properly is essential to achieve the perfect texture and flavor. With these jacket potato preparation techniques, you can make a tasty meal easily.

    Helpful Hint:

    • For extra flavor, you can add your favorite herbs or spices to the oil before rubbing it on the potato.

    Alternative Uses for Jacket Potatoes:

    • Loaded Jacket Potatoes: Top your jacket potato with cheese, bacon, and green onions for a loaded version.
    • Jacket Potato with Chili: Serve your jacket potato with a hearty chili con carne.
    • Vegetarian Jacket Potato: Top your jacket potato with sautéed vegetables and a dollop of sour cream.