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My Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes recipe is the easiest way to make the perfect side dish for so many meals. They’re tender and have a fluffy texture just like you get at your favorite steak house!
I don’t mind the traditional way of making baked potatoes in the cold winter months. The oven helps heat the house, which is a nice side benefit.
However, no one wants to turn on the oven on a hot summer day. So, slow cooking is the best way to cook a fluffy baked potato during the warmer months or when you don’t have enough oven space.
It takes minimal effort and you only need a few simple ingredients for the perfect baked potato, so it’s a great way to make an easy side dish for busy nights. I hope your whole family loves your slow cooker potatoes the first time you make them!
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Measuring spoon
By the Numbers: How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make the best baked potatoes in your slow cooker.
Step 1: Scrub Potatoes
Scrub 4 large russet potatoes well and pat them dry with a paper towel. See tips section for information about other sizes and types of potatoes.
Step 2: Rub Potatoes with Oil and Salt
Rub each clean potato with about a teaspoon of olive oil, making sure they’re completely coated with a light layer of oil. You may not need all the oil. Next coat the potato skins with sea salt, then place potatoes in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Slow Cook Baked Potatoes
You’ll want to cook the potatoes on High for 4-5 hours or Low for 7-8 hours. We personally feel we get fluffier potatoes cooking on High, but both methods work.
Step 4: Serve Baked Potatoes
Once they’re fork tender, remove the potatoes from the slow cooker and add your favorite topping to serve as a tasty side dish.
Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Answers to all of your questions about making the most amazing baked potatoes in your slow cooker, including tips, variations and serving ideas.
No aluminum foil needed
I’ve had a lot of questions about why I don’t wrap my baked potatoes in aluminum foil. There are a few reasons.
- There’s no need to wrap them in the slow cooker – they cook evenly without it
- Foil can trap in moisture, creating soggy skin
- Wrapping potatoes in foil creates a low-oxygen environment, which can encourage the growth of botulinum bacteria
Does the size of the potatoes matter?
Yes, depending on the size of the potatoes, you may have a shorter or longer cooking time to get tender crock pot potatoes.
- Large potatoes. Follow the directions in this recipe, but check them regularly for tenderness.
- Medium potatoes. Slow cook on Low for 5-6 hours or High for 3-4 hours.
- Small potatoes. Slow cook on Low for 4-5 hours or High for 2-3 hours.
Best toppings
The best thing about baked potatoes is the toppings! Just use a steak knife to make a slit lengthwise across the top of the potato, fluff up the insides and add your toppings!
My favorite toppings are butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese and green onions. Another great combo is parmesan cheese, sauteed garlic and fresh parsley.
How to make a baked potato bar
One way to make crock pot baked potatoes into a main course is to set up a baked potato bar with all of your favorite toppings. The whole family will think this easy dinner is a great idea!
Here are some other items to add to your potato bar:
- Butter, sour cream and cheese
- Green onions or diced onion
- Crisp bacon (I like air fryer bacon) or bacon bits
- Steamed broccoli or sauteed veggies
- Cut up chicken breast (you can use my Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe to make it!), steak or ground beef
- Salsa, pico de gallo or guacamole
- Homemade chili
- Crack chicken
- Chimichurri
There are so many options for making a fun potato bar for your family. You can even make it a weekly or monthly part of your meal prep planning.
How to crisp skin
If you like crispy skin on your potatoes, simply lay them out on a baking sheet or pan and pop them into the broiler or air fryer for a few minutes after they’re done cooking.
What to serve with baked potatoes?
Need ideas for a delicious main course to serve with your potatoes? Here are some of my favorites:
- Air Fryer Pork Chops or a Pork Tenderloin
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Crispy Skin
- Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
- Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast or Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Does this work with sweet potatoes too?
Yes, you can cook all types of potatoes using this method, including sweet, yukon gold and white potatoes. Cook times will vary based on their size.
Other ways to use baked potatoes
Sometimes I like to make extra potatoes so I can use them for other recipes besides just baked potatoes, such as:
- Loaded Leftover Baked Potato Soup
- Potato Salad
- Potato Skins
Storage tips
Allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Store them in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days.
More tasty potato recipes
If you want to learn more ways to prepare potato dishes, here are some other recipes to try:
Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Measuring spoon
Instructions
- Scrub potatoes until the skin is clean, then pat dry.
- Coat each potato with a little bit of olive oil, then rub the oiled potatoes with sea salt.
- Cook the potatoes on High for 4-5 hours or Low for 7-8 hours.
- Once cooked, your baked potatoes are ready to serve.