Can you cook perfect baked potatoes in a slow cooker? The answer is yes! I’ve been making crock pot baked potatoes forever, and it couldn’t be easier. This is a foolproof method for cooking crispy, fluffy “baked” potatoes without switching on the oven.
Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
What drew me to the idea of crock pot potatoes in the first place was how convenient it is: No boiling, no heating up the oven, just toss foil-wrapped potatoes into the slow cooker in the morning. I love that they’re ready to eat with air fryer steak and a salad when I get home in the evening! These potatoes taste just like they do in the oven, and clean up is quick and easy. Just add your favourite fixin’s.
This method was such a success I also use it to make slow cooker sweet potatoes. For another easy way to bake potatoes without an oven, see my air fryer baked potato recipe.
Why Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes Work So Well
If you’re looking for an alternative to baking potatoes that doesn’t require a lengthy time in the oven or heating the kitchen, I think you’re going to love crock pot baked potatoes.
- Just like the oven. Russet potatoes come out deep golden with that oven-baked flavor and texture, minus the oven. Foil is the key if you’re a fan of crispy potato skins.
- Wrapping the potatoes in foil locks in the moisture and traps the heat. It’s the best way I’ve found to bake potatoes in the crock pot. You don’t even need to parboil the potatoes first.
- Keep the kitchen cool. This is the perfect way to make baked potatoes without heating the house.
- No need to rush home to get your potatoes in the oven. If you’re comfortable leaving your slow cooker on, just pop them in the crock before work!
What Are the Best Potatoes to Use?
You only need one ingredient for this crock pot recipe: Potatoes! See the recipe card for the full recipe details.
- Russet potatoes: My #1 choice for baking in the oven (or crock pot!). These are starchy with rough, brown skins and light, fluffy insides when cooked. Idaho potatoes are a specific type of russet potato.
- How many potatoes can I cook at once? This depends on how many you’re serving and how large your crock pot is. I can fit four medium-sized potatoes perfectly in my 6-quart slow cooker.
How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Crock Pot
It takes 5-10 minutes to prep your potatoes before they’re ready to cook. Here are the steps.
- Get your potatoes ready. Wash and scrub the potatoes, and dry them thoroughly. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork. Afterward, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil.
- Arrange the potatoes inside the slow cooker. It’s fine to stack them if needed.
- Cook. Set the crock pot to cook the potatoes on Low for 8 hours, or on High for 4.
My Favorite Slow Cooker
Since so many are asking, while I love my Instant Pot, I still love my slow cooker, too! I have the 6-Quart Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker. You can adjust the time you want it to cook, and it automatically turns to warm when it’s done. It also has a probe for meat that automatically shuts off when done. This slow cooker is so great, I actually own several!
Optional Baked Potato Toppings
You can’t go wrong with a fluffy potato topped with butter. I love making loaded baked potatoes topped with light sour cream, fresh chives, crispy bacon, broccoli, and shredded sharp cheddar. These are more ways to dress up your slow cooker baked potatoes.
- Classics: Sour cream or crème fraîche, Monterey Jack cheese, sliced green onions, or cilantro.
- Vegetarian: Top with quick black beans or baked beans. Pumpkin seeds are a good vegetarian swap for bacon.
- Broccoli and cheese: Try my broccoli cheese twice baked potatoes for a delicious variation.
- Meaty toppings: Top your baked potato with beef chili, Sloppy Joes, or make a loaded turkey chili baked potato. You can also add pulled pork or make a Philly cheesesteak baked potato.
Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
Equipment
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
Toppings (Optional):
- Light sour cream
- Fresh chives
- Bacon bits
- Cooked broccoli
- Cheese
Instructions
- Wash and scrub potatoes until clean.
- Dry thoroughly.
- When dry, prick potatoes with a fork and wrap in aluminum foil.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Last Step:
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Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
- Don’t forget to prick the potatoes. Use a fork or the tip of a knife, and pierce the potatoes all over before you wrap them and place them in the crock pot. This lets the steam escape, so they don’t pop!
- Cook more or fewer potatoes. You can cook as few as two potatoes, up to as many as you can fit in your slow cooker. If your potatoes are heavily stacked and the crock is full, you may need to increase the cook time by 30 minutes to 1 hour so the potatoes on the top can bake through.
- Season before cooking. For more flavor, rub the potatoes with oil and season the skins with kosher salt before wrapping the potatoes in foil.
- Leave them bare. If you skip the foil, your potatoes may not have the same “oven-baked” texture, but they’ll still be soft and delicious. You can cook the potatoes without foil if you plan on making mashed potatoes later.
FAQ
Cook your potatoes for 8 hours on Low or 4 hours on High. Potatoes are done when they’re easily pierced with a fork.
Yes, you can cook potatoes in most crockpots without adding water or liquid. Potatoes already contain moisture, and the slow cooker will trap the steam under the lid.
Nope! Boiling isn’t necessary when making crock pot baked potatoes. They’ll soften nicely as they cook over time.
Yes! You can fill your crock pot with as many potatoes as it can comfortably fit. Make sure the lid closes properly. To fit more in at once, arrange the potatoes standing upright in the crock.
What to Serve With Baked Potatoes
Serve these crock pot baked potatoes with veggie sides, like sautéed spinach, a fresh green salad, or roasted broccoli, and your favorite mains. Here are some of mine.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate. Unwrap any leftover baked potatoes from the foil and refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. Keep them in an airtight container. They’ll last for 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat. You can warm up the potatoes in the microwave or wrap them in foil again and reheat them in the oven.