Delia Smith Jacket Potatoes Recipe

This Delia Smith Jacket Potatoes Recipe is a crisp and fluffy recipe, which calls for russet potatoes and flaky sea salt. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Delia Smith Jacket Potatoes Recipe Ingredients

• 4 medium russet potatoes (8 to 10 ounces each)
• For serving: Butter, flaky sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Delia Smith Jacket Potatoes Recipe

1. Preheat the oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.
2. Score the potatoes: Prepare 4 medium russet potatoes: Cut a cross shape about 1/4-inch deep into each potato.
3. Bake until crisp: Place the potatoes cut-side-up directly onto the oven rack. Bake until very crisp and crackly on the outside, about 2 hours.
4. Open and bake again: Carefully remove the potatoes from the oven with tongs and place on a large plate, baking sheet, or heat-proof cutting board. Carefully cut deeper into the cut you made initially. Gently push the two opposite ends of each potato toward each other to open them, release steam, and expose some of the flesh. Return the potatoes to the oven rack and bake for 10 minutes more.
5. Serve: Push the two opposite ends of each potato toward each other again to open them fully. Top the flesh with a generous dollop of butter and season with flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Recipe Tips

• Why no foil: Never wrap a jacket potato in foil if you want a crispy skin. Foil traps moisture and steams the potato, resulting in a soggy, wet skin rather than a crunchy one.
• Choosing the right potato: You must use a floury, starchy potato like a Russet or King Edward. Waxy potatoes will not fluff up inside and will remain dense and heavy.
• The importance of the cross: Cutting the cross before baking prevents the potato from exploding and allows the steam to escape during cooking, which helps dry out the skin for maximum crispiness.
• Don’t rush the baking: Two hours might seem like a long time, but it is essential for developing the thick, crunchy “jacket” that contrasts with the fluffy interior. Lower temperatures or shorter times will not yield the same result.
• Oil or no oil?: This specific method relies on the dry heat of the oven to crisp the skin naturally. Adding oil too early can sometimes result in a leathery skin rather than a crackly one.

What To Serve With Delia Smith Jacket Potatoes Recipe

A jacket potato is a blank canvas that pairs with almost any savory topping.

• Baked beans and grated cheddar cheese
• Tuna mayonnaise and sweetcorn
• Chili con carne and sour cream
• Coleslaw and chives

How To Store Delia Smith Jacket Potatoes Recipe

• Refrigerate: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: To restore the crispy skin, reheat the potatoes in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Microwaving will warm them but leave the skin soft.
• Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze whole baked potatoes as the texture becomes grainy and watery upon thawing.

Delia Smith Jacket Potatoes Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 290
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 45mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 63g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 3g
• Protein: 7g

Nutrition information is estimated per potato with a pat of butter.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Delia Smith​ Dauphinoise Potatoes Recipe
• Delia Smith Boulangere Potatoes​ Recipe
• Delia Smith Hard Boiled Eggs