Quick Answer: How Long Do You Bake Potatoes In The Oven At 375?

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Baking your potatoes in the oven with foil will take approximately 45-60 minutes. If you are using smaller potatoes, this could decrease to 25-30 minutes.How Long To Bake Potatoes At 375 Baking your potatoes in the oven without foil is also possible but will take slightly longer: approximately 70 minutes.

Potatoes have been a staple food in cuisines all over the world for centuries.

The first cultivation of potatoes actually dates back to 8000-5000 BCE in modern-day Peru, where they appeared as the first domesticated vegetables in the region.

Over time, potatoes became increasingly more important in the diets of thousands of different cultures and even fueled the rapidly growing population in Europe during the 18th-20th centuries.

Today, the potato is the 5th most important crop in the world, after wheat, corn, rice and sugarcane.

Why might this be?

Potatoes are not only extremely easy to grow, they are also highly affordable. There is a reason that over the course of history, we can observe various populations relying on this vegetable during periods of economic desperation.

But that’s not all. For being such a simple food, potatoes are also extremely versatile. It doesn’t take a skilled chef to know just how adaptable potatoes are.

Baked potatoes, for instance, couldn’t be easier to make and provide a vast array of possibilities. If you live in The States or Canada and head to your local restaurant that serves pub food, we highly recommend trying the loaded baked potato. You won’t regret it.

Or, if you’d prefer to cook straight from the comfort of your own home, preparing this dish is not only completely doable, it’s also super simple!

If you’ve got an oven, a bag of potatoes, your favorite toppings and 45 minutes to an hour and a half of spare time, you’re all set.

For the full rundown on how to achieve the perfect baked potato, either with or without foil, make sure to check out the following sections.

You’ll be so addicted to how simple and delicious these methods are you won’t be able to get enough of them.

How Long To Bake Potatoes In The Oven At 375: With Foil?

We know that baking your potatoes in the oven is a foolproof way of cooking them effectively, but instead of just throwing them in on a sheet, another great alternative is packing your potatoes individually in foil packets.

Wrapping your potatoes in foil has several benefits.

Firstly, it will trap more heat inside the packet, making the interior extra moist, which inevitably makes your potatoes extra soft and delicious (moisture also increases the flavor factor).

If that wasn’t enough to convince you, using this method to bake your potatoes is also faster than when you don’t use foil, as the intense heat produced within the foil causes the potato to cook more quickly.

For more details, check out the following table:

Pro Tips

You want to pierce holes into the potatoes to ensure the steam has room to escape. If you do not do this, the steam will build up inside the foil packet and you will risk having your potato explode.

Both olive oil and butter will have the same effect, it just depends on your preference.

The timeframe provided is 45-60 minutes, as different-sized potatoes will require slightly different cooking times.

The best way to know your potatoes are done is by stabbing them with a fork and when they feel tender, they are done.

If you have a thermometer at home, you can also use this to identify when your potatoes are ready to be eaten. Simply insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the potato and when the temperature reads 210 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are using smaller potatoes, the total cooking time will be around 25-30 minutes.

We recommend preparing one potato per person if the potatoes are large and 3-4 potatoes per person if they are small.

Don’t skip the resting stage! Using foil produces A LOT of heat, so you’ll want to make sure you allow your potatoes enough time to cool down.

For the best outcome possible in terms of flavor and texture when using foil packets, we recommend using potatoes that are more on the starchy side (for example, Russets).

Potatoes that are underdone and too hard or overdone and too mushy aren’t pleasant to eat, so it’s a good idea that you check on them periodically.

You may be tempted to adjust the oven to a higher heat setting to speed up the cooking process. This, however, isn’t advisable, as it may cause the outside of your potatoes to be finished too quickly without allowing the interior enough time to tenderize (and no one likes hard potatoes).

If you must, you can alter the heat setting to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the potatoes for 55-60 minutes.

If you prefer a potato with skin that is more crispy, the key to this is not using foil. For more information, make sure to check out the next section on how to bake potatoes in the oven without foil.

We highly recommend turning your baked potato into a topping fiesta!

Achieve this by slicing the potatoes vertically halfway and adding your favorite toppings such as sour cream, bacon, cheese and green onions (we’re getting hungry just thinking about it!).

RELATED: Are Potatoes Healthier Than Rice (Baked Potato Vs Rice Nutrition)?

How Long To Bake Potatoes In The Oven At 375: Without Foil?

Many articles will advise you not to use foil when baking potatoes, as it causes them to have a softer texture.

While this is perfectly fine (and delicious, if you ask us), if you prefer an exterior that is more crispy, placing your potatoes in the oven as is, is the better option.

In comparison to the previous method, when you don’t use foil, less heat circulates around the potatoes, which translates to a longer cooking period.

Not using foil and throwing your potatoes straight into the oven on a baking sheet will take approximately 70 minutes (more or less- it depends on how large your potatoes are).

Here’s what you need to know:

Pro Tips

You want to pierce holes into the potatoes to ensure the steam has room to escape. If you do not do this, the steam will build up and you will risk having your potato explode.

Both olive oil and butter will have the same effect, it just depends on your preference.

The timeframe provided is 70 minutes, as different-sized potatoes will require slightly different cooking times.

The best way to know your potatoes are done is by stabbing them with a fork and when they feel tender, they are ready.

For this method, the skin should feel crisp to the touch.

If you have a thermometer at home, you can also use this to identify when your potatoes are ready to be eaten. Simply insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the potato and when the temperature reads 210 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are preparing more than 4 potatoes, you may need to extend the time to up to 15 minutes.

This is because the heat is being distributed to a greater surface area and, as a result, cooks each individual potato at a slower pace.

Don’t skip the resting stage! Your potatoes will be very hot when they first come out of the oven.

Potatoes that are underdone and too hard or overdone and too mushy aren’t pleasant to eat, so it’s a good idea that you check on them periodically.

You may be tempted to adjust the oven to a higher heat setting to speed up the cooking process. This, however, isn’t advisable, as it may cause the outside of your potatoes to be finished too quickly without allowing the interior enough time to tenderize (and no one likes hard potatoes).

We highly recommend turning your baked potato into a topping fiesta!

Achieve this by slicing the potatoes vertically (from end to end, only halfway horizontally) and adding your favorite toppings such as sour cream, bacon, cheese and green onions (we’re getting hungry just thinking about it!).

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Store Baked Potatoes?

Unlike raw potatoes, which are best stored in the pantry, baked potatoes need to be kept in the fridge.

Storing your potatoes in the fridge is super easy and requires you to simply place your leftover potatoes in either an airtight bag or container. Your potatoes will last for up to 2-3 days this way.

Just remember, it’s vital that you allow your potatoes to completely cool off before storing them in the fridge.

In addition, if you baked your potatoes in foil, DO NOT forget to remove this foil before the storage process. Forgetting to remove the foil can lead to the development of botulinum bacteria.

If you wish to eat your potatoes at a later date, you can also freeze your leftovers for up to 8 months. Just be sure to wrap each potato individually in foil and then place them in an airtight freezer-friendly bag.

For both methods, make sure there aren’t any toppings in the potatoes, as this could make them soggy.

Are Baked Potatoes Healthy?

Yes, although conceptually, they are simple, baked potatoes come with a variety of vitamins and minerals as well as numerous health benefits.

Some of these benefits include improved heart health and digestion, weight loss, and a better immune system.

Potatoes are also linked with healthy blood sugar levels.

(Adding toppings, of course, may not be quite as healthy, but we’re going to ignore that for now, hehe).

What Toppings Can You Add To Baked Potatoes?

Depending on your preference, there are an array of different kinds of baked potatoes you can choose from. The topping choices are truly endless.

For a classic baked potato, add sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives and bacon.

For a Mexican variation, add pico de gallo, corn, black beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro to your baked potato.

If you’re more of a fish person, try smoked salmon, cream cheese and chives.

Lastly, you can add a little chili to any of the above if you want to add some heat.

Can You Bake Potatoes In The Microwave?

Although many people prefer to oven-bake their potatoes, as this makes them more fluffy, microwaving them is also totally possible.

Simply wash your potatoes, poke holes in them and place them in the microwave for 10 minutes (5 minutes on each side).

Do You Need To Wrap Your Potatoes In Foil?

No, this is not necessary! Adding foil will make your potatoes cook faster, but baking them without foil will create a crispier exterior.

How Long To Bake Potatoes In The Oven At 375: With Foil?

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Potatoes are seasoned and wrapped in foil before being baked in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-60 minutes.

Materials

Potatoes
Olive oil/butter
Salt & pepper

Tools

Fork
Foil
Baking sheet
Brush

Instructions

Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
Thoroughly wash your potatoes, ensuring there is no dirt or residue left on them, using cold water
Dry the potatoes
Using a fork, poke 8-10 holes all over the potatoes
Brush either olive oil or melted butter onto them
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired
Retrieve a baking sheet

How Long To Bake Potatoes In The Oven At 375: Without Foil?

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Potatoes are washed, seasoned and placed on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 70 minutes.

Materials

Potatoes
Olive oil/butter
Salt & pepper

Tools

Fork
Foil
Baking sheet
Brush

Instructions

Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
Thoroughly wash your potatoes, ensuring there is no dirt or residue left on them, using cold water
Dry the potatoes
Using a fork, poke 8-10 holes all over the potatoes
Brush either olive oil or melted butter onto them
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired
Retrieve a baking sheet
Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil
Place the potatoes onto the baking sheet in single file
Cook the potatoes in the oven for approximately 70 minutes
When they are done, remove the potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes
Serve and enjoy!

Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!