how to make baked potatoes in oven

To make baked potatoes in the oven, start by preheating the oven to around 425°F. Wash and scrub russet potatoes, then dry them thoroughly. Lightly coat the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle salt all around the skin. Prick the potatoes 2-3 times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Place the potatoes on a wire rack over a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack with a pan below to catch drips. Bake for about 50-60 minutes for medium russet potatoes until the potatoes are tender inside and an internal temperature of 205°F to 210°F is reached. Immediately after removing from the oven, cut a slit on the top and squeeze the ends to fluff the insides. Serve with your preferred toppings. Key tips include avoiding foil to keep the skin crispy, baking at the right temperature based on the potato size, and slicing the potato open quickly after baking to avoid gumminess.