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Original poster

To ask how to make a jacket potato?

85 replies

redpedal · 07/05/2024 16:31

I'm 27 and have never cooked a jacket potato Blush

I want to make one for tea, how do I get it really crispy but fluffy on the inside? Oven or air fryer? Foil or no foil? Microwave first or not?

So many questions! Please can somebody tell me how I can bake it to perfection?

OP posts:
OkPedro · 07/05/2024 17:18

Bignanna · 07/05/2024 17:13

There’s a whole thread on Mumsnet on fillings, of which there are many!

Show quote history

Thank you! I'll take a look

Medschoolmum · 07/05/2024 17:16

God, I really want a jacket potato now!

I usually cook mine in the oven without microwaving first, unless I'm in a rush. I think they come out nicer that way. Don't have an air fryer but my friend does, and those are very nice too.

Vivaldi potatoes make lovely jackets in my experience.

Tarkan · 07/05/2024 17:14

I'll probably cause some jacket potato lovers to recoil at this but I hate when the skin is crispy and prefer it soft so I just pierce all over then microwave for 4 minutes, turn then do 3-4 mins on the other side depending on the size of the potato and that's it done for me.

Then I drown it in butter and grated cheese so there's basically more cheese than potato. Grin

Bignanna · 07/05/2024 17:13

OkPedro · 07/05/2024 17:10

I am ashamed to say I haven't ever made jacket potatoes and I've only eaten them 2/3 times 😬

Ok so a pp recommends Maris piper but what about toppings? Do people always use butter?
My son is very fussy and doesn't like cheese. I'm thinking of using left over chilli for him
I like beans.. would coleslaw go well with beans and cheese 🤔

There’s a whole thread on Mumsnet on fillings, of which there are many!

OkPedro · 07/05/2024 17:13

Mercurial123 · 07/05/2024 16:59

It's like Google never existed on here sometimes.

Really? Most threads the op could Google.. what's the point of chat forums then 🙄

Bignanna · 07/05/2024 17:12

It’s a no brainier to use a combination of microwave and air fryer, unless you like paying more for your fuel!

Whatineed · 07/05/2024 17:11

Thread a metal skewer through the spud and it heats up the inside and cooks it faster. I have a special rack that opens into a cross with prongs that you stab up to four spuds on and sit it in the oven. It makes them really fluffy too.

I spray fry light on mine after scrubbing and drying, and sprinkle a little salt over them and bake at 200 on the fan. After an hour I squeeze them to test. Usually they are done.

As they are standing up on the prongs they don't need turning either.

www.amazon.co.uk/KitchenCraft-Aluminium-Potato-Baker-Rack/dp/B0001IX382

OkPedro · 07/05/2024 17:10

I am ashamed to say I haven't ever made jacket potatoes and I've only eaten them 2/3 times 😬

Ok so a pp recommends Maris piper but what about toppings? Do people always use butter?
My son is very fussy and doesn't like cheese. I'm thinking of using left over chilli for him
I like beans.. would coleslaw go well with beans and cheese 🤔

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 07/05/2024 17:10

Tin foil and bang it in the oven for 1 hour 30 mins.

Don't ever just mircowave it unless you like squashy potatoes as I found out 😂

IBegYourBiggestPardon · 07/05/2024 17:10

Aldi do some gorgeous jacket potatoes golden something they are called and 79p for 4 just wash them, prick them all over and stick them in the oven for 90 mins. Lovely crispy skin and soft buttery potato inside. I haven't got any left so I can't take a pic of the packaging.

crostini · 07/05/2024 17:09

I do them in the microwave and then the air fryer now because it only takes around 20 mins!

Poke holes, microwave ten mins.

Oil and salt it up, air fryer 10 mins ish

Done!

These days I prefer a sweet potato jacket tho..... softer, tastier, and just so good.

ghostyslovesheets · 07/05/2024 17:08

I'm so lazy I always have frozen ones on hand - microwave then cover in butter and salt and crisp in the oven - delicious

Luxell934 · 07/05/2024 17:06

I’ve always wrapped mine in foil as I like the skin soft to eat, never had one with crispy skin? Am I missing out? Do people eat the crispy skin or not?

SoupDragon · 07/05/2024 17:06

Mercurial123 · 07/05/2024 16:59

It's like Google never existed on here sometimes.

No one is forcing you to read and comment.

Thingamebobwotsit · 07/05/2024 17:06

You need to choose the right potato. Not all bake as well. Oven for an hour and half. Prick with a fork and salt. No oil.

Beautiful crispy salty skin and fluffy insides. Job done.

Microwave is no replacement for long and slow if you want perfection.

nadine90 · 07/05/2024 17:04

MaltipooMama · 07/05/2024 16:35

Jacket potatoes are one of my favourite foods! I'd like to think I've pretty much perfected them now lol, first poke loads of holes in it with a fork, and rub a bit of oil and salt all around/into the potato. Cook straight in the oven at 220, no need for foil (preheat oven first for 10 mins or so), and then leave it there near the top of the oven for at least an hour, sometimes mine are in for nearly an hour and a half! I promise it will come out perfect, crispy on the outside and fluffy and soft inside. Come back and let me know how it was!

This!

LakieLady · 07/05/2024 17:03

Mercurial123 · 07/05/2024 16:59

It's like Google never existed on here sometimes.

But google wouldn't give you all the myriad of different ways of cooking a jacket potato, or the ensuing debate!

Bignanna · 07/05/2024 17:03

Boomer55 · 07/05/2024 16:48

I do a proper (raw) potato to for about an hour and three quarter in a normal oven at 160 degrees. Perfect.👍

Edited

But an expensive way of cooking them! Microwave, then air fryer would be just as perfect, and save fuel.

Nottherealslimshady · 07/05/2024 17:01

Wash, prick, microwave till squashy, oil and salt, oven/airrfryer at 220 till skin is desired crispness.

worcesterpear · 07/05/2024 17:01

I prick them a few times with a fork. If I've got plenty of time, I cook them on the bottom shelf of a low oven for up to two hours. If I want them quicker I give them approx 7 mins in the microwave, then put in the oven at a slightly higher temperature for up to an hour, mainly just to crisp the skins up.

papadontpreach2me · 07/05/2024 17:01

Poke holes in it. If it's a large potato then 7 minutes in the microwave then 20 minutes in the airfryer. Add oil and some salt when you transfer to the airfryer.

NCDAParent · 07/05/2024 17:00
  1. Prick with a fork all over or score a cross into the top of the potato
  2. Rub with oil and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper
3.Wrap in foil and put in the oven on 170 for an hour
  1. The skin will be crisp and delicious and the inside will be soft and fluffy

Jacket potatoes are the most superior form of potato!

StrawberrySquash · 07/05/2024 17:00

Stab it all over to prevent explosions in the oven. Run under the tap. Grind salt over and rub in. Cook in oven until skin puffs away from flesh.

Make several and freeze so you don't have to constantly have the oven on.

Also cut up the potato and cook in hot oil in the oven to make excellent potato wedges.

Mercurial123 · 07/05/2024 16:59

It's like Google never existed on here sometimes.

JudgeJ · 07/05/2024 16:58

For one potato it's expensive to run the oven for so long, I microwave for a couple of minutes then I'll chuck it nto the airfryer. The most important thing is the potato, many are too waxy to make fluffy innards!

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