How to Make Baked Potatoes 6 Ways

Although the oven is a timeless choice for baking potatoes, there are so many other cooking methods to try! Want to learn how to bake potatoes without an oven? Discover how to prepare fluffy baked potatoes in the air fryer, grill, and even over a campfire! Also, let’s explore enjoyable ways to cook moist and tender baked potatoes using the microwave and slow cooker. 

1. Deliciously fluffy oven-baked potatoes in foil 

Baking potatoes in the oven is a classic method that always delivers excellent results. Would you like to learn how to bake potatoes in the oven using foil? With a few tips, you’ll understand how to choose potatoes, prep, and bake so that you can create steakhouse-quality baked potatoes.

Craving those delicious oven-baked results, but don’t want to heat up the kitchen? You can enjoy sensational baked potatoes in the air fryer that taste just like they came from the oven, in slightly less time. Plus, you’ll have a less messy air fryer using Reynolds Kitchens^® Air Fryer Liners! 

How to bake potatoes in the air fryer 

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F, without the Air Fryer Liner
2. Clean and brush two 6- to 8-ounce potatoes, then pat them dry
3. Lightly prick the potatoes several times using a knife or fork
4. Prepare the brine by dissolving two tablespoons of salt in 1/2 cup of cold water
5. Place each potato in the brine and toss to coat the skins evenly
6. Remove the air fryer basket. Place an Air Fryer Liner at the bottom of the basket and arrange the potatoes on top of the liner, spaced evenly apart
7. Air fry at 400°F for 35 to 45 minutes. The center of the largest potato should register 205°F on an instant-read food thermometer, and it should be easily pierced with a fork
8. Carefully brush each potato with canola, vegetable, avocado, or other oil with a high heat point
9. Air fry at 400°F for an additional 10 minutes
10. Transfer the potatoes to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes. Using a paring knife, create two slits in each potato to form an X. Holding the ends, gently squeeze with a clean dish towel to push the flesh up and out. Immediately butter the potato generously. Season according to your taste
11. Serve immediately, adding toppings if desired ^1,2

What’s better than an oven-roasted baked potato? How about grilled baked potatoes? Not only will they cook up fluffy, soft spuds, but they’ll also have a little smoky flavor. 

How to bake potatoes on the grill: 

Firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ or just soaking up some sunshine while preparing a weekend meal? If you love a good baked potato, you don’t need to turn on the oven—just toss them on the grill instead! It’s incredibly easy and takes about the same time as baking them indoors. Be sure to wrap your potatoes in Reynolds Wrap^® Heavy Duty Foil Sheets, which can prevent the skin from burning and simplify cleanup. 

Directions: 

1. Preheat the grill to medium or 350°F
2. Rinse and scrub four to six 6- to 8-ounce potatoes, removing any eyes or sprouts
3. Pat the potatoes dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel
4. Use a fork to poke several holes in the potato, allowing steam to escape (this helps prevent exploding potatoes)
5. Rub or brush the potatoes with olive oil, then season generously with salt
6. Wrap each potato individually in a Heavy-Duty Foil sheet, then pierce the foil-wrapped potatoes several times with a paring knife or fork
7. Place the foil-wrapped potatoes on the grill and close the lid. Grill for 1 hour, rotating every 15 minutes
8. Ensure the largest potato has reached an internal temperature of 205°F using an instant read thermometer and can be easily pierced with a fork
9. Carefully remove the potatoes from the grill, and take off the foil with a grill glove or tongs
10. Fully coat the potatoes with olive oil again, using a brush
11. Return them to the grill and bake for 10 minutes to crisp the skins
12. Remove the potatoes from the grill with an oven mitt or tongs
13. Using a paring knife, make two slits, forming an X, in each potato. Holding the ends, gently squeeze with a clean dish towel to push the flesh up and out
14. Immediately butter the potato generously and season with salt and pepper to taste
15. Serve immediately, adding toppings if desired^{1, 3}

Campfire-baked potatoes are a classic, no-fuss side dish perfect for outdoor cooking. Just wrap them in foil, layer them in the coals, and let the fire do the work. They’re easy, hearty, and taste even better under the stars. 

How to prep and bake potatoes in the campfire 

1. Poke several holes in the potatoes with a fork or knife
2. Coat the potatoes in softened butter or oil, then roll them generously in sea salt or kosher salt
3. Wrap each potato individually with a Heavy-Duty Foil sheet
4. Using tongs, nestle the potatoes into the fire and pile the coals up around them. Cook the potatoes for 30 minutes, flip them, rearranging the coals as needed to ensure they are piled around them again, and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes
5. Cook until fork tender or an instant-read thermometer reads 210°F
6. Carefully remove the potatoes from the fire with a long set of tongs or campfire gloves. Let them cool for 10 minutes before handling them
7. Gently peel back the foil around the potato, using the foil to create a bowl shape
8. Some potato skins may be more toasted than other areas due to the coals
9. Slice the potato down the center, being careful not to cut all the way through
10. Using the foil as a heat barrier, press the potato together to push the flesh upwards. Fluff it with a fork and top it with butter, a pinch of salt and pepper, and any desired toppings⁵

If you're wondering how to make a baked potato fast, the microwave is your best friend. While a microwave-baked potato’s texture might not be as fluffy or the skin as crisp as oven-baked, it's a perfect shortcut when you're short on time. By lining your microwave with Reynolds Kitchens^® Parchment Paper with Stay Flat^™ Dispensing, you’ll keep your microwave clean from splatters. 

How to bake potatoes in the microwave 

1. Clean and scrub two 6- to 8-ounce potatoes. Thoroughly pat them dry
2. Lightly prick the potatoes several times using a knife or fork
3. Rub or brush each potato with canola, vegetable, or avocado oil
4. Evenly sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper
5. Place a sheet of Parchment Paper (which won’t curl, due to its Stay Flat^™ dispensing) on the microwave carousel and set the potatoes on it
6. Microwave on high for 4 to 5 minutes, flip, and microwave for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes
7. Test doneness using a fork or knife. The fork or knife should glide easily into the potato. Add additional one-minute intervals if it is not quite done
8. Transfer the hot potatoes carefully with a clean mitt or towel to a plate
9. Allow potatoes to rest for a minute, then slice horizontally and fluff with a fork
10. Add toppings and serve^{6, 7} 

Tip: Want crispier skin? Finish off your microwaved potatoes in a 450°F oven. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake on a foil-lined baking sheet for 10 minutes, turning the potato halfway through.

Whether you’re preparing a tailgate, a game day feast, or a weeknight baked potato bar, use this simple method to cook your potatoes in advance! Let your family or guests create their own baked potato masterpiece with a variety of toppings.

How to bake potatoes in the slow cooker 

Always on the go? Slow cooker baked potatoes are perfect for weeknights, potlucks, tailgating, or meal prep—all you need are potatoes, foil, a few kitchen staples, and your slow cooker. While slow cooked baked potatoes may not have the same fluffy texture as oven-baked ones, they turn out moist and tender, ready for your favorite toppings, such as butter, sour cream, or shredded cheese. 

Directions: 

1. Scrub 4 to 6 russet baking potatoes and pat them dry with a clean paper towel
2. Prick the potatoes with a fork and place each one in the center of a Heavy-Duty Foil sheet
3. Brush each potato with ½ teaspoon of olive oil and sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt
4. Rub the oil and salt over the potato, then wrap it tightly with the foil sheet
5. Arrange the foil-wrapped potatoes in your slow cooker. Make sure you aren’t overfilling the slow cooker pot. Then, place the lid on top
6. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork
7. Remove and carefully unwrap the hot potatoes using an oven mitt or heat-safe glove
8. Split open the top by cutting an X on the top, add toppings, and serve immediately^{1, 8, 9} 

Tip: 

Make-ahead slow cooker baked potatoes: After cooking, remove the foil from the baked potatoes and let them cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate the potatoes within 2 hours at 40°F or below in a tightly-wrapped fresh sheet of aluminum foil or Reynolds Kitchens^® Plastic Wrap. Slow cooker baked potatoes can be safely refrigerated for 3 to 4 days, as recommended by the USDA. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap or foil. Heat on high and ensure the potatoes reach an internal temperature of 165°F.10

Resources: 

1. Souza, D. (2024, January 11). How to Make the Perfect Baked Potato | What’s Eating Dan? America’s Test Kitchen YouTube Channel.
2. Colins, L. (2025, March 17). Air Fryer Baked Potato. Serious Eats.
3. Rampe, A. (2023, November 13). How To Make a Baked Potato on the Grill: A Foolproof Method for Fluffy, Smoky Spuds. The Kitchn.
4. Collins, J. (2023, November 13). Grilled Sweet Potatoes in Foil. Kitchen Laughter.
5. Roberts, K. Campfire Baked Potatoes. Idaho Potatoes
6. Liew, A. (2024, October 14). Microwave Baked Potato. The Big Man’s World.
7. Evans, N. (2024, December 20). Microwave Baked Potato. Simply Recipes.
8. Clarke, E. Crock Pot Baked Potatoes. Well Plated.
9. Nillson, H. (2020, July 7). Crock Pot Baked Potatoes. Spend with Pennies.
10. Lynch, K. (2023, June 8). Food Safety of Potatoes. Michigan State University Extension.
11. Moncel, B. (2013, May 9). How To: Slow Cook Potatoes. Budget Bytes.