The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Side Dishes » Easy Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
by Sarah Olson on | Updated 33 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
You can make Baked Potatoes in the slow cooker! It only takes a few minutes to prep, and baked potatoes are ready when you arrive home! Just add toppings such as butter, sour cream, bacon and green onions when you arrive home!
Did you know you also do this method with sweet potatoes? Talk about easy holiday dinners!
Can I make baked potatoes in the crockpot
Most people don’t think to cook baked potatoes in the crock pot, but it’s actually an easy, low prep way to cook them. You’ll want to make sure to use baking potatoes (like Russet potatoes) to ensure they cook nice and fork tender all the way through. You can even use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes.
This crockpot baked potatoes recipe also works perfectly for creating a potato bar. You can leave the cooked potatoes directly in the slow cooker and fill a table with potato dressing such as shredded cheddar cheese, jalapenos, chives, and seasonings like salt and pepper. It’s a low-maintenance way to make the best loaded baked potato.
Recipe Ingredients and Supplies
- 6-quart slow cooker – This will fit the potatoes well.
- 4-7 russet potatoes – Wash and dry.
- Foil – You will be wrapping each potato in aluminum foil.
- Toppings: Bacon bits, sour cream, salted butter, shredded cheese, and green onion.
Step-by-Step Directions
- Wash and dry your potatoes, removing any dirt.
- Wrap each potato in a piece of aluminum foil being sure to cover the entire potato.
- Add the potatoes to the slow cooker, spreading them out. Try not to pack them in. Put the potatoes in on to two layers only.
- Cover and cook potatoes on low for 7-8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Can I add oil and salt to the skins of the crock pot baked potatoes?
- Yes, if you like to oil and salt the skins of the potatoes before wrapping in foil it works fine for this recipe.
- Make sure to dry the potatoes well before adding the vegetable oil (or olive oil) and kosher salt.
Can I cook the potatoes without foil?
- You certainly can! I know some can not cook with foil for health reasons.
- This recipe will work fine without wrapping in foil if you don’t want to use it.
Can I use an instant pot instead of a slow cooker?
You can use an instant pot instead of a slow cooker if you don’t have time to slow cook. I use this recipe for Instant Pot Baked Potatoes.
Recipes FAQs
What kind of potatoes should I use?
Russet is the only potato that you should use for baked potatoes. The russet has a fluffy texture you can count on to soak up the deluxe toppings. If you use another type of potato like Idaho potatoes, you may be disappointed. The Russets are large potatoes that yield a nice serving per potato.
Do baked potatoes need liquid in the crockpot?
You do not need to add any liquid to baked potatoes in the slow cooker; it will bake similar to an oven.
Why are my potatoes turning black in the crockpot?
Please do not overload your slow cooker with potatoes; this causes them to steam more and will cause them to turn black or orange. For a 6-quart slow cooker, do not add more than seven small potatoes and space them out.
Baked Potato Toppings
If you want to do a baked potato bar (this is even fun for a weeknight), place out bowls of butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, green onion, and even cubed cooked chicken is delicious. You can’t go wrong using your favorite toppings. For healthier options, serve the potatoes with plain Greek yogurt and steamed broccoli.
I am out of sour cream! What can I use?
Ranch dressing is a wonderful baked potato topper! Try it, and you may never go back to sour cream.
Storage Instructions
I let the potatoes cool on the counter for about an hour; then, I place them in the fridge right in the foil. They are already packaged and ready for storage.
Do I need to poke holes in my potatoes?
Piercing the potatoes is for when you are microwaving. It’s extremely rare for potatoes to explode in the oven or slow cooker.
What can I make with the leftover potatoes?
You can use these baked potatoes to make mashed potatoes, potato salad, or add it to grilled chicken for a quick meal for a dinner party.
Recipes to use up leftover baked potatoes:
- Perfect Breakfast Potatoes – Recipe By Center Cut Cook
- Mojo Potatoes – Recipe by Food.com
- Loaded Potato Skins – Recipe by Spend with Pennies
- Baked Potato Soup – Recipe by Allrecipes
Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
4.91 from 32 votes
No reason to heat up the house for a baked potatoes when your slow cooker can make them perfect everytime.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours hours
Total Time: 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 168kcal
Author: Sarah Olson
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 6 russet potatoes (6-7 potatoes fit perfectly in a 6-quart slow cooker)
Optional Toppings
- butter
- sour cream
- cheddar cheese
- bacon
- green onions
US Customary – Metric
Instructions:
Scrub and wash the potatoes; Dry well.
Wrap each potato in foil, making sure to cover the potatoes completely.
Add the potatoes to the slow cooker, spreading them out. Try not to pack them in. Put the potatoes in two layers.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 5 hours. Do not open the lid during the cookig time.
Unwrap, slice, garnish and serve.
Sarah’s Notes:
Can I add oil and salt to the skins of the potatoes?
- Yes, if you like to oil and salt the skins of the potatoes before wrapping in foil it works fine for this recipe.
- Make sure to dry the potatoes well before adding the oil and salt.
Can I cook the potatoes without foil?
- You certainly can! I know some can not cook with foil for health reasons.
- This recipe will work fine without wrapping in foil if you don’t want to use it.
Should I poke holes in the potatoes?
Poking holes in potatoes is for when you are microwaving. It’s extremely rare for potatoes to explode in the oven or slow cooker.
Storage instructions: I let the potatoes cool on the counter for about an hour, then I place them in the fridge right in the foil. They are already packaged and ready for storage.
Nutrition values are only for the potatoes, not the toppings.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
More potato recipes to make in your crockpot:
- Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Cajun Parmesan Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Campfire Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Baked Potato Casserole
