Learn how to make Crock Pot Baked Potatoes! The slow cooker is an easier method for the best baked potatoes that are fluffy, creamy, and ready for dressing with all your favorite toppings. Cook your favorite vegetable side dish without turning on the oven!
Perfect Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are the perfect side dish for so many dinner ideas. Sometimes you just know that a meal would be perfect if only it came with a hot, fluffy, buttery potato on the side. Unfortunately, it often takes at least an hour of high-temperature oven time to make my baked potato dreams a reality. Well, not anymore.
Now, we have crock pot baked potatoes. I mean, Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are definitely a thing. Why not baked potatoes? This slow cooker method produces perfect baked potatoes that are just as creamy and fluffy on the inside, and crisp on the outside as oven-baked potatoes. And the best part is, you set your crock pot to cook and then walk away. Have a stroll. Run some errands. It’s the BEST.
Why This Recipe Works
Why bake potatoes in the crock pot? I can think of a million reasons why this recipe is going to become your new best friend, from weeknights to cookouts, but here are just a few:
Easy method. The crock pot is an easy, hands-free method for perfect baked potatoes. Simply prep the potatoes and then set the pot to cook. Come back to fluffy, delicious baked potatoes without having to turn on the oven!
Zero clean-up. Wrapping the potatoes in foil not only helps them cook up faster and locks in the moisture, but it also means next to no cleanup afterward.
Perfect for a crowd. Crock pot baked potatoes are perfect when you don’t feel like tying up the oven before you entertain. Bake 4-6 potatoes all at once, while keeping your oven free for tasty appetizers like these
What You’ll Need
You need just three ingredients, plus your choice of potato toppings for serving. Crazy, right? Here’s a quick overview, with the full details available in the recipe card below:
Potatoes: Russet potatoes are the #1 best choice for baking (see below).
Oil: I recommend using high-quality extra virgin olive oil for coating the potatoes.
Salt and Pepper
Toppings: Your favorite baked potato toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives, etc. See further down for more ideas and serving suggestions.
Which Potatoes Are Best for Baking?
As mentioned, Russets are the best potatoes for baking, whether in the oven or in the slow cooker. This is because they’re low-moisture, high-starch potatoes that bake up fluffy and tender in the middle with crispy skins. Idaho potatoes are my second choice.
How to Make Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
It’s really SO simple. This baked potato recipe takes mere minutes of prep and then your crock pot does the rest:
Prep the Potatoes: First, you’ll scrub the potatoes and dry them, then drizzle each potato with olive oil. Give them a rub to coat, and a generous sprinkle with salt and pepper. Afterward, wrap each potato snuggly in foil and place them into the crock pot.
Cook: The exact cooking time varies depending on the size of your potatoes. For medium-sized spuds, set the crock to cook for 4-5 hours. Take the potatoes out once they’re tender, or you can leave them in the crock pot on warm until you’re ready to serve them.
Tips for Success
Here are some final tips for making the best baked potatoes in your crock pot:
Clean the potatoes. Give your Russets a good rinse and a scrub under cold water before you bake them, to remove any residual dirt.
Don’t overcook. Overcooked potatoes will be soggy, so make sure to check them for doneness in the last hour of cooking time.
To check that your baked potatoes are done: Your potatoes are done when they can be easily pierced with a fork.
Common Questions
In case, like me, you’re new to baking potatoes in your slow cooker, here are some quick crock pot baked potato FAQs:
Can you layer baked potatoes in the crock pot?
Yes. You can stack the potatoes on top of each other as needed to have them fit in the pot.
Do I need to wrap the potatoes in foil?
No, wrapping the potatoes isn’t necessary. I prefer to wrap my potatoes in foil since they tend to cook faster, not to mention it makes clean-up a breeze! If you bake your potatoes without foil, I recommend adding a bit of water to the crock to keep the potatoes from drying out.
How long does it take to bake potatoes in the slow cooker?
About 4-5 hours, give or take, depending on the size of the potatoes.
What To Serve with Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
We top our crock pot baked potatoes with the essentials: butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and chives. For a healthier alternative to sour cream, Greek yogurt works great!
If you know you’ll be refrigerating your crock pot baked potatoes, remove the foil directly after baking, and allow the potatoes to cool. It’s important that you don’t refrigerate the potatoes still in foil, to prevent bacteria from growing. Store any leftover baked potatoes airtight in the fridge for 3-4 days, and reheat them in the oven or microwave until hot throughout.
Can I Freeze Baked Potatoes?
Yes, baked potatoes freeze well. Wait until your potatoes have cooled completely, and then store them in an airtight freezer bag. Store the baked potatoes frozen for up to 8 months. To defrost them, thaw the potatoes in the fridge or in the microwave. Afterward, reheat the potatoes in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
This Crock Pot Baked Potatoes recipe is an easier method for cooking your favorite vegetable side dish. Make perfect baked potatoes without turning on the oven!
Drizzle each potato with olive oil and rub to coat.
Season liberally with salt and pepper.
Wrap each potato with foil and place it into the slow cooker (*see note). You can stack them if necessary.
Cook on high for 4 – 5 hours (time can vary depending on the size of your potato) for medium-sized potatoes until tender. You can keep the potatoes in the slow cooker on warm until ready to eat.
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