The ultimate guide to baking a potato, whether you're using a microwave, Instant Pot, air fryer, or oven

• Potatoes can be "baked" in the oven, microwave, air fryer, or instant pot.
• If you crave crispy potato skins or are cooking for a group, stick with the oven method.

When it comes to an easy, satisfying, and healthy comfort food, it's hard to beat a baked potato. Potatoes can be the focal point of a meal or a quality side, and they can be stored for months. Although a baked potato is a classic, it doesn't have to be boring: you can integrate yams or sweet potatoes or the classic Idaho variety.

Wondering how to bake a potato at home? Whether you're a beginner potato cook or just looking to jazz up your typical preparation, check out these four ways to cook a potato.

Important notes:

• Always wash potatoes and pierce their skin with a fork to allow steam to escape. If not, the potatoes may burst, no matter what cooking method you use.
• Also, you can use the fork test to determine whether the potato is done. Insert a fork into a potato, and if it slides through easily, the potato is done. If there's a lot of resistance, it needs to cook a bit longer.

How to bake a potato in the oven

Using the oven is the classic way of baking potatoes. Sure, it takes a bit longer than other options — about one hour — but with plenty of space, the oven is a good choice when you're cooking potatoes for the whole family.

• What you need: Potatoes, seasonings, and a fat (olive oil, canola oil, or butter)
• How to cook it: Pierce the potato with a fork to allow steam to vent. Cover the outside of the potatoes with oil or butter, and season generously. Place them directly on the oven rack and cook at 420 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.
• Quick tips: Russet potatoes are the best for baking. Use the fork test after 45 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Learn more about how to cook a potato in the oven by checking out this article.

How to bake a potato in the microwave

We all head towards the microwave when we're in a rush, and the trusty appliance cooks a baked potato in under 15 minutes. There is one major downside: the microwave won't give you crispy skin. If you have some extra time, bake the potato in an oven for five minutes afterward to get a touch of crispiness.

• What you need: Potatoes, a damp paper towel
• How to cook it: Place the potato in the microwave, and cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it moist. Microwave on high for five minutes; then, flip the potato, recover, and microwave for five more minutes. Use the fork test to check if it's done.
• Quick tips: Add two minutes of cooking time at each stage for each additional potato that you're cooking. To get crispy skin, preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the potato with olive oil, and put it in the oven for five minutes.

Read this article for more tips on baking a potato in the microwave.

How to bake a potato in an air fryer

If you want a crispy potato cooked quickly, look no further than the air fryer. Potatoes cook about twice as quickly in the air fryer as they do in the oven, so this method is perfect for mid-week dinners before soccer practice or a quick lunch on the go.

• What you need: Potatoes, oil, and seasonings (salt and pepper, plus any other favorites)
• How to cook it: Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn the potatoes after 15 minutes, and insert a fork to check that the potato is done.
• Quick tips: Russet, Idaho, or sweet potatoes work best in the air fryer because of their thick skin. If you're cooking multiple potatoes, pick similarly sized spuds so they're all done at the same time.

Check out this article to read more about air fryer baked potatoes.

How to bake a potato in an instant pot

Are you craving a baked potato in the summer months, but don't want to warm up your kitchen? Or maybe you want to walk in from work and be greeted by a perfectly-baked potato. Turn to the instant pot. Sure, these potatoes are actually pressure cooked, not baked, but once you bite in you won't mind the difference.

• What you need: Potatoes, water
• How to cook it: Add 1 to 1.5 cups of water to the instant pot. Top that with a steamer basket or trivet. The water should come close to the basket, but not touch it. Add the potatoes to the basket. Cook at high pressure for 12 minutes, and use natural release.
• Quick tips: Use the delay start feature to cook potatoes even when you're not home. If you want crispy skin, put the cooked potatoes in an oven or toaster oven for 5-8 minutes at 400-500 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you need extra instant pot potato hacks, read more here.

Insider's takeaway

A baked potato has been a classic comfort food for decades. While the oven can't be beat for big batches of potatoes, the microwave, air fryer, and instant pot allow you to cook potatoes more quickly. Each approach has its benefits: the oven and air fryer are great for crispy-skinned potatoes, while the microwave and instant pot allow you to quickly cook your potatoes without heating up the kitchen.