A medium-sized potato baked with its skin intact is a versatile, low-fat source of dietary fiber and essential nutrients like potassium, copper, iron, manganese, vitamin B-6, vitamin C and niacin. If you're traveling or have limited kitchen space, you can prepare baked potatoes without the use of a conventional oven by using a roaster oven. Roaster ovens are available in a number of sizes, ranging from 5-quart to 18-quart options. The exact procedure and cooking times may vary depending on your brand of roaster oven: Check the manufacturer's instructions before using the appliance to bake potatoes.

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Step 1
     Scrub the potatoes thoroughly with a vegetable brush under cool, running water. Dry them with paper towels. Use a fork or thin-bladed knife to pierce each potato several times.

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Step 2
     Preheat the roaster oven to the temperature recommended in the manufacturer instructions and for the length of time advised. Place a rack in the oven's cooking well if it is included with your particular brand.

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Step 3
     Place the potatoes into the roaster oven, either on the rack or on the bottom of the cooking well. Fit the lid securely in place.

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Step 4
     Allow the potatoes to bake until they can be easily pierced with a fork, approximately 60 to 70 minutes. Remove the potatoes with tongs and serve.

Things You'll Need

Whole potatoes Vegetable brush Paper towels Fork or thin-bladed knife Tongs Tip If desired, you can lightly brush the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt before baking them in the roaster oven. You do not need to wrap the individual potatoes in aluminum foil unless you want very soft skin or need to keep the potatoes hot for a long time after cooking. Skip white potatoes in favor of sweet potatoes for a baked potato that’s high in vitamin A. Avoid topping your baked potatoes with high-fat, high-cholesterol sour cream or cheese sauce. Instead, try healthier options such as salsa, steamed vegetables drizzled with flavored olive oil or low- or nonfat Greek yogurt mixed with freshly minced herbs like chives.

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  references
  
      USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Full Report (All Nutrients): 11674, Potato, Baked, Flesh and Skin, Without Salt
    
      Nesco: Roaster Ovens
    
      Hamilton Beach: Baked Potatoes
    
      Nesco: Bake Chart
    
      The Kitchn: Old Habits - Baked Potatoes Wrapped in Foil or Not?
    
      USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Basic Report - 11508, Sweet Potato, Cooked, Baked in Skin, Without Salt
       




  references
  
      USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Full Report (All Nutrients): 11674, Potato, Baked, Flesh and Skin, Without Salt
    
      Nesco: Roaster Ovens
    
      Hamilton Beach: Baked Potatoes
    
      Nesco: Bake Chart
    
      The Kitchn: Old Habits - Baked Potatoes Wrapped in Foil or Not?
    
      USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Basic Report - 11508, Sweet Potato, Cooked, Baked in Skin, Without Salt
  • Whole potatoes
  • Vegetable brush
  • Paper towels
  • Fork or thin-bladed knife
  • Tongs

If desired, you can lightly brush the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt before baking them in the roaster oven. You do not need to wrap the individual potatoes in aluminum foil unless you want very soft skin or need to keep the potatoes hot for a long time after cooking. Skip white potatoes in favor of sweet potatoes for a baked potato that’s high in vitamin A. Avoid topping your baked potatoes with high-fat, high-cholesterol sour cream or cheese sauce. Instead, try healthier options such as salsa, steamed vegetables drizzled with flavored olive oil or low- or nonfat Greek yogurt mixed with freshly minced herbs like chives.

Skip white potatoes in favor of sweet potatoes for a baked potato that’s high in vitamin A.

Avoid topping your baked potatoes with high-fat, high-cholesterol sour cream or cheese sauce. Instead, try healthier options such as salsa, steamed vegetables drizzled with flavored olive oil or low- or nonfat Greek yogurt mixed with freshly minced herbs like chives.

      USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Full Report (All Nutrients): 11674, Potato, Baked, Flesh and Skin, Without Salt
    
      Nesco: Roaster Ovens
    
      Hamilton Beach: Baked Potatoes
    
      Nesco: Bake Chart
    
      The Kitchn: Old Habits - Baked Potatoes Wrapped in Foil or Not?
    
      USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Basic Report - 11508, Sweet Potato, Cooked, Baked in Skin, Without Salt