Follow these easy steps to make fluffy, fork tender slow cooker baked potatoes. Using the slow cooker is helpful for freeing oven space to bake other dishes. This method is also perfect for cooking on hot days when you do not want the oven heating your house.
"This is the first time I tried using a slow cooker for baked potato. The potatoes were cooked so well. I tried your tips on broiling the potatoes for a few minutes to have a crispier skin and it works! Love this recipe!"
★★★★★- Giangi
This crockpot baked potato recipe creates a lovely fluffy inside similar to oven-baked potatoes. It is an easy side dish to make with very little effort. Enjoy! Xoxo ~Katie.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make slow cooker baked potatoes.
- Russet Potatoes-Russet Potatoes are the best potatoes for baking because they are low in moisture and high in starch content, creating a lovely fluffy center. Idaho are a good second choice. While Yukon Gold Potatoes have a delicious buttery flavor, they do not create that desired fluffy center.
- Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt-I find coarse Kosher Salt works best. The salt draws out and absorbs the moisture in the potato creating the fluffy center texture. However, any salt will work.
*Full recipe with ingredient measurements is located in the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Should baked potatoes be wrapped in aluminum foil?
No, baked potatoes should not be wrapped in aluminum foil. Wrapping the potatoes in tin foil creates a steam and holds the moisture in creating a boiled texture rather than the fluffy baked texture.
Steps
Follow these simple steps to make crock pot baked potatoes.
- Wash potatoes taking care to remove any dirt while not scrubbing off the potato skin. Pat completely dry.
- Prick each potato with a fork on both sides of the potato. Drizzle each potato with olive oil and rub the olive oil all over the surface of the potato. Sprinkle salt all over the potato.
- Place potatoes in the slow cooker or crock pot and cover with lid. It is ok if the potatoes are slightly stacked. (There is no need for aluminum foil or water.) Cook potatoes on high heat 4 to 5 hours or low heat 6 to 8 hours. Try not to remove lid too many times while cooking. Cooking time varies depending on the size of the potatoes. Top with your favorite toppings (butter, sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, chives, green onions, etc.) and serve.
Watch how to make
Crispy potato skin tip
For a crispier potato skin, broil potatoes a few minutes in the oven before serving.
What happens if you cook the potatoes too long?
If the potatoes cook too long, the inside may discolor to a yellow or brownish color, and the texture will become a little softer. However they will still taste delicious.
Keeping potatoes warm for serving
Baked potatoes can be kept in the slow cooker on the warm setting for a few hours before serving.
Looking for more potato recipes? Try these!
Please leave me a comment below if you make crock pot baked potatoes and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your potatoes on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 4 Russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Wash potatoes taking care to remove any dirt while not scrubbing off the potato skin. Pat completely dry.4 Russet potatoes
- Prick each potato with a fork on both sides of the potato. Drizzle each potato with olive oil and rub the olive oil all over the surface of the potato. Sprinkle salt all over the potato.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- Place potatoes in the slow cooker or crock pot and cover with lid. It is ok if the potatoes are slightly stacked. (There is no need for aluminum foil or water.) Cook potatoes on high heat 4 to 5 hours or low heat 6 to 8hours. Try not to remove lid too many times while cooking. Cooking time varies depending on the potato size. Top with your favorite toppings and serve.
Ashley says
Yum! There's nothing more comforting than a loaded baked potato. So good!
Moop Brown says
I'm a big fan of baked potatoes and appreciate how this recipe allows me to make multiple at once in a simple and easy way.
Jenny says
This is very practical, especially when you don't have enough space in the oven. The potatoes were delicious. Thank you very much.
Loreto and Nicoletta says
What an ingenious idea. A great way to enjoy a slow baked potato without heating up the house with the oven blaring! I bet they are so fluffy and delicoous!
Lauren says
Well, I had no idea you could make baked potatoes in a slow cooker! This is really going to come in handy for bigger family dinners when the oven is full - thanks!
Lisa says
I love this method of making baked potatoes! It will be my new go to on every holiday!
Amy Liu Dong says
This is a simple yet delicious dish to make for everyone. I made it and I love it!
Yu says
You are right; this definitely frees up the oven space. And it is a good idea to cook potatoes in the slow cooker, making cleanup a breeze!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Such great tips - especially about not wrapping potatoes in foil. Drives me nuts when folks do that. I love how easy this is and the fact that I don't have to heat up my oven to make amazing "baked" potatoes!
Giangi Townsend says
This is the first time I tried using a slow cooker for baked potato. The potatoes were cooked so well. I tried your tips on broiling the potatoes for a few minutes to have a crispier skin and it works! Love this recipe!
Juyali says
Never made slow cooker baked potato, so this recipe was a revelation for me. I loved the set it and forget it process, and how good they turned out. My family loved them. Thank you!