How to bake a potato, fry it and more: How to prepare potatoes 3 ways

As one of the most versatile vegetables out there, the humble potato can be prepared and cooked in a whole host of ways. Whether you prefer your potatoes deep-fried or roasted with a touch of rosemary, they can form the foundation of countless delicious dishes.

With the right equipment, you don’t have to compromise taste for speed. Below, you’ll discover classic and new ways to cook potatoes, from learning how to make fried potatoes without oil to mastering how to bake a potato for maximum taste.

How to cook potatoes: Baked

The classic baked potato is a substantial meal in its own right, but for many of us, it simply takes too long to achieve a perfectly crispy skin and fluffy inside.

Aside from adding great texture and taste, the skin of a baked potato contains plenty of minerals and vitamins.* Try leaving the skin on when you prepare and eat your baked potatoes!

Step 1: Choosing your potato

For the best baked potatoes, you’ll need to choose the right kind:

• In the supermarket, potatoes for baking will normally be labelled as such.
• Russet potatoes usually deliver good results. If you’re buying loose, select a generous size.

1. Before cooking, pre-heat your oven to 200°C.
2. Wash away any excess dirt on your potato skins and pat dry.
3. Score the tops of your potatoes with a sharp knife to allow excess moisture to escape during cooking.
4. Lightly brush with an oil of your choosing and sprinkle with a little salt. The potatoes can then be added directly to your cooking shelf – no need for foil!
5. Bake your potatoes for around 1 to 1½ hours.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
2. As you would when baking your potatoes in the oven, make sure you wash the potato skins to remove excess soil.
3. Making sure the potatoes are dry, place them in the basket of the air fryer. For best results, don’t overfill the basket – allow for the Philips fat removal technology to circulate the heat and work its magic.
4. Slide the basket into the machine and set the timer for 25 minutes.

Now you’ve got the perfect baked tattie, add your favourite topping. For inspiration on how to fill your beautifully baked spuds, check out our recipe.

How to cook potatoes: Roasted

A strong favourite, the perfect roast potato also requires beautifully crispy skin and a soft, fluffy inside. There’s an array of tips and tricks for mastering how to roast potatoes. The traditional method is to use the oven.

Top tip: Choose a roasting tray large enough to fit your potatoes without having to pile them on top of each other.

How to roast potatoes in the oven

1. Place your tray in the oven and preheat to 200°C.
2. In a large pan, cover your potatoes in cold water and bring to a boil.
3. Leave the pan uncovered and turn the heat down to simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add either oil or fat to the heated roasting tray before returning it to the oven and heating for another few minutes. While you’re waiting, strain the potatoes and pat dry.
5. Lightly coat the potatoes with a little flour before very carefully placing them in the roasting tray. Make sure all of your potatoes are covered in the hot oil or fat.
6. For good results, roast in the oven for just under an hour. Check on the potatoes every so often, gently shaking the tray to ensure your spuds are evenly cooked.

1. Simply place your potatoes in the basket of the Philips Airfryer and set to manual at 200°C for 25 minutes.
2. Pause around halfway through cooking to remove the basket and shake the potatoes.
3. Return the basket to the machine and resume the manual setting for the remaining cooking time.

Top tip: For extra ease and crispiness, leave the skin on your potatoes.
Why not mix it up and try our crispy rosemary potato recipe too?