Baked potatoes are very nutritious. They are easier and faster to prepare, especially in a toaster oven. It can be served as a whole meal or as a side dish. There is a need to know how to bake a potato in a toaster oven and do it the right way.
When ready, it has soft crispy skin and a fluffy inside. When you dig into it, it sends a sweet-savory taste to your tongue that will make you ask for more.
Most people don’t put their toaster oven to good use because they don’t know there are several recipes that can be prepared in it.
Why waste energy using a conventional oven for small servings when your toaster oven can do a great job as well.
So the next time you want to bake a potato, you know what to do. We are going to look at the ingredients, method, how best to serve, and some baked potato recipes in this article. Let’s go!
If you prefer learning by video, this article is also explained here.
Ingredients
One Russet potato.
Olive oil.
Fork.
Preferred toppings (optional).
Video: Toaster Oven Baked Potatoes
This video will show you how to bake a potato in a toaster oven
Step by Step Methods
- Preheat toaster oven to a temperature of 400 to 450-degree Fahrenheit, set the dial to bake and the timer to between 35-55 minutes depending on the size of the potato.
- Gently wash or scrub the potato of dirt using a kitchen brush and rinse with clean water. Dry the potato properly after washing.
- Poke potato on the sides with a fork or knife multiple times to prevent it from exploding in the oven.
- Rub the potato lightly with olive oil and place it in the middle of the toaster oven rack or roasting pan.
- Bake potato for 35-55 minutes depending on the time you set or until it’s crispy, soft, and slightly browned on the skin.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool a little. Then cut open in a straight or zig-zag line using a knife.
- Press the potato towards the center with your thumbs to remove steam so your potato doesn’t become soggy.
- Serve alone, with your favorite toppings, salt, and black pepper or as a side dish.
Note that the time is not constant, so you should probably start checking your potato about 30 minutes of baking.
Serving Toppings
A baked potato can be served with any of your preferred toppings. Some of them include:
Salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, pats of butter, basil, chili or curry powder, sour cream, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon or sliced chives.
Others are:
Veggie Nachos (avocado, French spinach, or black beans).
Veggie Pizza (mushrooms, marinara sauce, black olives, bell peppers or mozzarella).
Mediterranean (parsley, tomatoes, feta, or lemon wedges).
Buffalo chickpea (celery, buffalo sauce, crumbled blue cheese or shredded kale).
Extra roasted veggies like brussels sprouts, roasted zucchini and tomatoes, jalapeno roasted cauliflower, and balsamic asparagus.
Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
Fresh brussels sprouts.
One tablespoon of olive oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil or coconut oil.
Ground black pepper.
Kosher salt.
Method of Preparation
- Preheat toaster oven to a temperature of 425-degree Fahrenheit and set the dial to the ‘Bake’ setting.
- Wash brussels sprouts under running water and dry.
- Cut each sprout stem and slice into two.
- Put each sliced piece of Brussels sprouts in a roasting pan and sprinkle with olive oil, black pepper and kosher salt. Make sure they are evenly coated.
- Bake sprouts until they are soft, tender or golden browned or for 15-25 minutes (varies based on the size of sprouts).
- Make sure you check them in intervals, so they don’t get burned in the oven.
- Remove from toaster oven when done and serve with a baked potato.
Roasted Zucchini and Tomatoes
Ingredients
Four teaspoons of olive oil.
One small zucchini squash (sliced into ½ rounds).
One clove of garlic finely sliced.
Salt.
Pepper.
One cup of grape tomatoes.
One to two teaspoons of fresh thyme.
Zest of one lemon.
Two ounces of hummus and room temperature goat cheese.
Method of Preparation
- Preheat toaster oven to 400-degree Fahrenheit.
- Mix the tomatoes, garlic, zucchini and olive oil together in a big bowl.
- Sprinkle pepper, salt and stir mixture together properly to evenly coat all vegetables with olive oil.
- Put the mixture in a baking dish and roast for 12-16 minutes. Cook and stir mixture at intervals till zucchini is soft a little and tomatoes are bursting open.
- Remove baking dish from the toaster oven and allow veggies to get cool for about five minutes.
- After five minutes of cooling, pour all the lemon zest into mixture and stir properly.
- Serve zucchini and tomatoes with your baked potato sprinkled with hummus or goat cheese and thyme.
Jalapeno Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
One big-sized cauliflower with its leaves removed.
One small jalapeno that is thinly sliced.
One tablespoon of cleaved cilantro leaves.
Salt.
Pepper.
Three teaspoons of olive oil, grapeseed oil or avocado oil.
Method of Preparation
- Preheat the toaster oven to a temperature of 450-degree Fahrenheit.
- Rub a roasting pan with one teaspoon of olive oil.
- Slice cauliflower into a quarter-inch thick piece.
- Place sliced jalapeno and cauliflower pieces in a big bowl and sprinkle with olive oil.
- Add pepper and salt to taste.
- Mix all ingredients until they are properly coated with olive oil. Do this preferably with your hands for better results.
- Line the roasting pan with cauliflower and jalapeno mixture.
- Roast for about 25-35 minutes till they are golden browned or crispy. In between roasting, turn cauliflower so that it will be properly browned on both sides.
- Serve jalapeno baked cauliflower warm with baked potato and dredged with cleaved cilantro (optional).
Balsamic Asparagus
Ingredients
Eight ounces of fresh asparagus.
Kosher salt.
One teaspoon balsamic vinegar.
Half teaspoon of olive oil or grapeseed oil.
One tablespoon of chopped raw walnuts.
Grounded black pepper.
Method of Preparation
- Preheat the toaster oven to a temperature of 425-degree Fahrenheit.
- Cut off ends of asparagus, wash over running water and dry.
- Line asparagus side by side on a roasting pan with all cut ends facing one direction.
- Sprinkle olive oil, pepper, and salt over the asparagus.
- Make sure all sides of the asparagus is evenly coated with oil and other seasonings.
- Put roasting pan in the oven with all cut ends facing the door of the toaster oven.
- Roast asparagus for 7-10minutes or until its soft and crispy.
- Remove the roasting pan from the oven and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar. You can also sprinkle with chopped nuts (optional).
- Serve with your baked potato.
Potato Wedges
This is another way of preparing potatoes in the toaster oven instead of a baked potato.
Ingredients
2- 3 washed potatoes.
Olive oil or melted butter.
Salt.
Onion powder.
Pepper.
Garlic powder.
Grated parmesan cheese.
Paprika.
Method of Preparation
- Preheat toaster oven to a temperature of 425-degree Fahrenheit.
- Wash and cut potatoes into 8 pieces each.
- Mix onion powder, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, grated parmesan cheese, and salt together in a big bowl.
- Rub the potato wedges with olive oil and bathe in the seasoning mixture.
- Line potato wedges on a toaster oven pan.
- Bake them for about 25 minutes in the middle of the oven or until they are browned on the outside and soft inside. Then remove and serve.
Tips
Select good potatoes like the Russet potato. They make great tasty baked potatoes as they have low moisture content and their starched content makes soft and sweet baked potatoes.
Also, their skin can withstand the temperature of the oven thereby giving a crispy skin. But in the absence of the russet potato, you can use sweet potatoes.
It is not advisable to bake the potato in an aluminum foil as it makes the skin of the potatoes soggy. But if it is your preference, you can do it.
How To Store Baked Potato
After or within 2 hours of baking, you can store baked potatoes in the refrigerator for future use in a well-covered glass dish. They can last for three to four days.
How To Reheat Baked Potato In Toaster Oven
Put the potato on the toaster oven rack or roasting pan in a preheated temperature of 350-degree Fahrenheit. Cook for about 15-25 minutes depending on the size until warmed.
Conclusion
Whatever method you choose in baking your potatoes and your preferred toppings, I hope it turns out nice and delicious. Remember, variety is the spice of life.
