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Getting dinner on the table when life gets busy can feel like solving a puzzle, especially when you’re trying to serve up satisfying side dishes alongside your main course. Between after-school activities, work deadlines, and the general chaos of weeknight schedules, standing around waiting for baked potatoes to finish in the oven isn’t exactly practical.
That’s why these crock pot baked potatoes have become my secret weapon for stress-free dinners. They’re hands-off, perfectly cooked every time, and free up valuable oven space – plus, you can start them in the morning and come home to fluffy, tender potatoes ready for topping with whatever fixings your family loves.
Why You’ll Love These Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
- 3-ingredient simplicity – With just potatoes, olive oil, and salt, you can create perfectly tender baked potatoes without any fuss or complicated ingredients.
- Hands-free cooking – Just set your slow cooker and forget it – no need to check the oven or worry about timing while you’re busy with other things.
- Perfect for meal prep – Make a batch of these potatoes and use them throughout the week for quick lunches or easy dinner sides.
- Energy efficient – Using your slow cooker instead of heating up the oven helps keep your kitchen cool and your energy bills lower, especially during hot summer months.
What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?
For crock pot baked potatoes, Russet potatoes are your best bet since they have a high starch content that creates that fluffy interior we all love. While you could use Yukon Gold potatoes, they tend to be waxier and won’t give you quite the same classic baked potato experience. When picking your Russets, look for ones that are medium-sized and roughly the same size so they’ll cook evenly. Try to choose potatoes with smooth skin and avoid any with green spots, sprouts, or soft patches. Just give them a good scrub under running water before cooking, and they’ll be ready to go.
Options for Substitutions
While this recipe is super simple, there are still a few swaps you can try:
- Potatoes: Any type of potato works here – russet, Yukon gold, or red potatoes. Just keep in mind that russets give you that classic fluffy baked potato texture. If using smaller potatoes, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time down a bit.
- Olive oil: You can easily swap olive oil with any neutral cooking oil like canola or vegetable oil. Melted butter is another tasty option that works great for coating the potatoes.
- Salt: Regular table salt works fine, but you could try kosher salt or sea salt for a slightly different flavor. If you want to get creative, try seasoned salt or garlic salt – just be careful not to use too much.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making crock pot baked potatoes is skipping the crucial step of poking holes in your potatoes with a fork, which can lead to a messy explosion in your slow cooker as the steam builds up inside. Another common error is placing the potatoes in the crock pot without first rubbing them with oil and salt – this simple step creates that delicious, crispy skin we all love in a baked potato. To avoid uneven cooking, try to choose potatoes that are similar in size, and don’t stack them too high in your slow cooker – a single layer works best for even cooking. For the best texture, resist the urge to open the lid during cooking, as each peek adds 15-20 minutes to your cooking time and releases valuable moisture and heat.
What to Serve With Baked Potatoes?
Baked potatoes are like a blank canvas that can be turned into a complete meal with the right toppings and side dishes! For a classic steakhouse experience, pair them with a grilled ribeye or chicken breast and some simple steamed broccoli. If you’re keeping things casual, set up a baked potato bar with toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and chopped chives – this is always a hit at family dinners. For a lighter meal, serve your baked potatoes alongside a fresh garden salad with ranch dressing or some roasted vegetables tossed in garlic and herbs.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Once your crock pot baked potatoes have cooled down, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just wrap them in aluminum foil or pop them in an airtight container. They make great leftovers for quick lunches or dinners during the week!
Freeze: Yes, you can freeze baked potatoes! Let them cool completely, wrap each one in foil, and place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. This is super handy when you want to meal prep or have ready-to-go sides.
Reheat: To bring back that fresh-baked taste, unwrap your potato and pop it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or wrap it in foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. The skin might not be as crispy as fresh, but the inside will still be fluffy and delicious.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 240-480 minutes |
| Total Time | 250-495 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 300-350
- Protein: 4-6 g
- Fat: 15-20 g
- Carbohydrates: 40-45 g
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by washing and drying the potatoes thoroughly.
Remove any eyes or sprouty bits to ensure a clean surface.
Using a fork, lightly prick each side of the potatoes to allow steam to escape during cooking.
Step 2: Season the Potatoes
Brush each potato with a little bit of olive oil to help crisp the skin and to add flavor.
Sprinkle a little salt over each potato to season and draw out excess moisture, which will aid in cooking.
Step 3: Wrap the Potatoes
Wrap each seasoned potato tightly in a piece of foil.
Ensure they are securely wrapped to trap heat and moisture, which will help in cooking the potatoes evenly.
Step 4: Cook in a Slow Cooker
Place the foil-wrapped potatoes into the bowl of a slow cooker.
Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
Set the slow cooker to the desired cooking setting: use the low setting to cook for 7 to 8 hours or the high setting for 4 to 5 hours.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
Once the cooking time has elapsed, carefully unwrap one potato to check for doneness.
The potatoes should be fork tender and ready to eat.
If needed, continue to cook until they reach the desired tenderness.
Step 6: Keep Warm and Serve
If the potatoes are done but not yet ready to be served, you can keep them warm by wrapping them back up in foil and leaving the lid on the slow cooker.
This will keep them warm for several hours, ensuring they are ready to serve when you are.