Baked Potato

A baked potato is a whole potato, typically a starchy variety like Russet, cooked in its skin until the interior is fluffy and the skin is crisp. It is a staple comfort food, often served with toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, or chili. While potatoes originated in the Andes, the simple baked potato as a dish is a global comfort food with strong roots in British and American cuisine.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

A medium baked potato (about 173g) is primarily a source of complex carbohydrates and provides a good amount of potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. It is naturally low in fat and protein, with a plain potato containing roughly 160-170 calories, though toppings can significantly increase the calorie and fat content.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	161 kcal
Protein	4.3 g
Carbs	36.6 g
Fat	0.2 g
Fiber	3.8 g
Sugar	1.7 g
Sodium	17 mg
Potassium	926 mg
Vitamin C	19.7 mg
Vitamin B6	0.5 mg
Thiamine (B1)	0.2 mg
Niacin (B3)	2.6 mg
Folate	48 µg
Magnesium	48 mg
Iron	1.9 mg

Per 1 medium baked potato (173 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The fluffy texture of a well-baked potato is achieved by first baking it at a high temperature to set the skin, then lowering the heat to steam the interior. Nutritionally, the skin contains a large portion of the fiber and nutrients, making eating it a key part of the dish's health profile.