Should I bake potatoes on foil or parchment paper?

Author: Diana Dicki  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

NEVER BAKE POTATOES IN FOIL. Foil wraps will not decrease baking time, but will result in a soggy potato interior with wet skin.

Should I bake potatoes on foil or parchment?

TIP: parchment paper is better to prevent sticking, but aluminum foil yields crispier results. If you use foil, you'll want to lightly grease it to prevent the potatoes from sticking. Note that even if you do that, they may still stick.

Is it better to bake on aluminum foil or parchment paper?

Aluminum foil has many uses, but it's particularly helpful in the oven. It's easy to form around any baking vessel, so it protects the pan from grease and burned-on bits better than parchment paper.

Why do restaurants bake potatoes in foil?

Some say wrapping baked potatoes in aluminum foil helps them cook faster (aluminum conducts heat, then traps it), and it does keep them hot for longer once they come out of the oven, which is why we think restaurants use this method. Wrapping potatoes will also give you a softer, steamed skin, if that's what you like.

Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400?

This creates tiny holes that allow steam to escape so your potato doesn't burst open in the oven (and make a mess!). Is it better to bake a potato at 350 or 400 degrees? To get a nice, fluffy interior and the crispiest skin, bake your potatoes at 400 degrees.

Baked potatoes | Foil or no Foil

How long does it take to bake potatoes at 400 degrees?

It takes about 1 hour to bake a potato in the oven at 400 degrees. Scrub the potatoes clean, poke holes with a fork, and rub with oil, salt, and pepper if desired. Bake directly on an oven rack for 60 minutes.

How do most restaurants bake potatoes?

Cook at 425 to 450 F for almost an hour

In order to achieve restaurant potato perfection, cooking your spuds in the oven is still the number one option.

Why not to bake potatoes in foil?

Potatoes wrapped in foil don't have much oxygen, creating an ideal environment for botulism.

How to cook the best baked potatoes?

Rub each potato with a light coat of oil. Arrange on a rack set on a baking sheet, or directly on an oven rack, and bake until a fork can easily be inserted into the center of each potato, about 1 hour. If setting potatoes directly on oven rack, set a sheet of foil on the rack below to catch any oil drips.

Why do restaurants put salt on the outside of baked potatoes?

Answer. Chefs started doing this years ago to allow the salt to absorb or draw out the moisture of the potato while baking, which results in a dry, fluffy potato. They used to do something similar with prime rib, sometimes baking it over rock salt.

When not to use parchment paper?

Do not ever use parchment or wax paper in the broiler. Despite its heat resistance, parchment paper can't handle the heat of any broiler, which can reach temperatures upward of 500°F. And wax paper? It should never come near the high heat of the oven or broiler.

Will potatoes stick to parchment paper?

Parchment paper allows the potatoes to roast without sticking! Evenly spread out the potatoes – Don't stack them on top of one another – spread your potatoes out on the baking sheet and try not to overcrowd them.

Why not use aluminum foil?

It's best to avoid wrapping food in aluminum foil for extended storage, particularly for acidic or salted foods. Prolonged contact with moisture, acids, or salts an cause the foil to degrade, allowing aluminum to leach into the food. This can affect the food's taste and raise potential health concerns over time.

Do potatoes cook faster in foil or without?

Wrapping potatoes in foil does not hasten baking. On the contrary, since the foil itself has to be heated before the potato begins to bake, cooking times increase slightly. Not only do you get better baked potatoes when you bake them unwrapped, you also save money.

Why are restaurant baked potatoes so good?

But the biggest difference between yours and a chef's is likely the way you bake it — which should never include aluminum foil, but should lean heavily on a source of fat — oil or butter. If crispy outsides and a creamy interior are what you're after — and it is — tweaking these two steps makes all the difference.

What cooking method is best for potatoes?

Oven-Roasted Potatoes

This might be our favorite way to cook potatoes. You can roast any type of potato, but Yukon Golds turn out best. Think creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside, caramelized perfection. Waxy potatoes like red potatoes, new potatoes and fingerling potatoes roast well, too.

Why aren't my baked potatoes crispy?

You don't dry the potato well.

You can even give them a quick scrub with a vegetable brush. But you need to dry the spuds well after the bath. Excess moisture on the skin can seep into the potato during baking and cause soggy skins. Do be sure to prick a few holes into the skin, too.

How does Martha Stewart cook baked potatoes?

Martha Stewart has you covered with her tricks for making delicious baked potatoes. In a recent Instagram post, she recommended swapping the classic russet potato for a Yukon gold, baking it on low heat for 90 minutes, and smashing it before serving it with plenty of butter, salt, pepper, and sour cream.

Can I use parchment paper instead of foil to bake potatoes?

This method of baking a potato is easy and delicious and I know you'll love it! Preheat oven to 375° and line a sheet tray with parchment paper. Wash potatoes well and scrub off any dirt that is on them. Dry throughly and place on sheet tray.

How to do the best baked potatoes?

Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Rub a little oil over each potato and put on the top shelf of the oven. Bake for 20 mins, then turn down the oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 5 and bake for 45 mins-1 hr more until the skin is crisp and the inside soft.

Why do restaurants serve baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil?

Some contend that wrapping potatoes in foil helps them bake faster, while others say it helps them stay warm after coming out of the oven.

Why is it advisable not to wrap potatoes in foil while baking?

NEVER BAKE POTATOES IN FOIL.

Foil wraps will not decrease baking time, but will result in a soggy potato interior with wet skin. Wrapping a baked potato in foil after it has been baked will allow you to hold up to 45 minutes, but the best method for holding a baked potato is in a bread warming drawer.

What is the best oven setting for baked potatoes?

Bake the potatoes for about 50 to 60 minutes at 425°F (220°C) until completely soft when pierced. That's it! This method will give you the best baked potatoes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. Here's how to make absolutely perfect baked potatoes every time.

How to make a baked potato like Texas Roadhouse?

Wash potato skins thouroughly and dry them, dip in rendered bacon fat, place the potatoes onto each piece of foil and cover in sea salt. Wrap and bake in a 425 degree oven for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Make it a loaded potato and top it with sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives, bacon (crumbled), and Mrs.

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