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Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

These Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes are seriously a game changer! No more rubbery microwave potatoes, heating up the oven on a hot summer day, or waiting around for potatoes to bake.

This hands-off method is the easiest way to make the perfect baked potato every time. Just wrap them in foil, toss them in the Crock pot, and walk away! You’ll come back to fluffy baked potato perfection with crispy potato skins that taste like they’ve been baking in the oven all day. They are seriously restaurant quality!

Are you looking for more yummy side dishes? Try our Butter Noodles, Crockpot Velveeta Mac and Cheese , or our Baked Beans with Ground Beef.

A baked potato wrapped in foil, topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives, sits on a speckled plate. More baked potatoes and a slow cooker are in the background.

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This is the best way to make crock pot baked potatoes. It’s such an easy method and the results are amazing every time! It’s way better than microwaving and the taste is restaurant quality!

The aluminum foil creates a steamy environment while the seasoned oil gives you those yummy skins everyone loves! It’s one of those slow cooker recipes that you’ll never go back to the traditional way after trying. Great for when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen, or anytime you want an easy dinner side.

What you’ll love about this Baked Potato Recipe:


  • QUICK & EASY – This easy way to make potatoes comes together in no time with simple ingredients and minimal prep.
  • BUDGET FRIENDLY – Uses basic, affordable ingredients, making this delicious side dish easy on your wallet.
  • FAMILY-FRIENDLY – Everyone loves a perfectly baked potato, and this great way to cook them turns out fluffy and delicious every time.

Recipe Ingredients:

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these Slow Cooker Potatoes:

  • Medium potatoes (russet)- You can also use large russet potatoes, just adjust the baking time.
  • Olive oil
  • Coarse sea salt (or kosher salt)
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Aluminum foil
  • For serving (favorite toppings):
  • Butter
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh chives, chopped
  • Cheddar cheese, shredded (use your favorite cheese!)
  • Bacon- cook up some bacon, or use bacon bits
A white plate with five russet potatoes, surrounded by small bowls of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a bottle of oil on a light gray surface. Each item is labeled with text.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Russet Potatoes: These potatoes are the best type of potato for baking because they have a high starch content that creates that awesome fluffy texture. The size of your potatoes matters for even cooking time, so choose potatoes that are similar in potato size.
  • Coarse Sea Salt: This gives better texture and flavor than regular table salt. The coarse grains stick to the oiled skin better when you rub potatoes with oil.
  • Aluminum Foil: Essential for this recipe, you must have it! The foil creates the steamy environment that makes the baked potatoes in the slow cooker cook evenly and stay moist.

How to make Baked Potatoes step-by-step:

Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.

STEP 1: Wash and scrub potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. Pat completely dry with paper towel.

 STEP 2:Using a fork, pierce each potato 8-10 times all over to prevent bursting during slow cooking. 

STEP 3: Rub potatoes with olive oil (about a teaspoon of olive oil per potato), ensuring the entire surface is coated. 

STEP 4: In a small bowl, combine sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper

STEP 5: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over all potatoes, rubbing it into the skin. 

STEP 6: Wrap each seasoned potato individually in aluminum foil, sealing tightly. 

Six-panel image: washed potatoes on a plate, a fork poking holes in a potato, a small bowl of spices, a bowl with seasoning mix, a potato on a sheet of foil, and the potato wrapped in foil.

STEP 7: Place wrapped potatoes in the slow cooker in a single layer. No cup of water is needed. 

STEP 8: Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2 1/2-3 hours, until potatoes are fork tender. Cook times may vary based on the size of the potatoes. 

Four images show the process of making baked potatoes: foil-wrapped potatoes in a slow cooker, an unwrapped baked potato, a potato on foil with a cut, and a split-open potato with butter, salt, and pepper.

STEP 9: Carefully remove potatoes from slow cooker using tongs. 

STEP 10: Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then unwrap carefully as steam will escape. 

STEP 11: Using a sharp knife, cut a deep slit lengthwise in each potato and gently squeeze the ends to open. 

STEP 12: Fluff the flesh with a fork and season with salt and pepper. 

STEP 13: Serve immediately with your favorite fixings.

A foil-wrapped baked potato topped with butter sits on a plate, surrounded by other baked potatoes with toppings, a slow cooker, salt and pepper shakers, and a blue-striped napkin.

PRO TIP:

Don’t skip piercing the potatoes with a fork! This prevents them from bursting in the crock pot. Also, make sure to pat them completely dry with a paper towel before adding oil, this helps the seasoning stick better and creates better skin texture.

A baked potato in foil topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives sits on a patterned plate, with more loaded potatoes and seasoning shakers in the background.

Storage and Reheating:

Storage: Store leftover baked potatoes in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They can be kept for up to 3 days.

Reheating:  When reheating, cut the potato open and add a little bit of water or butter to prevent drying out. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. You can also keep them on the warm setting of your slow cooker. 

Freezing: While you can freeze baked potatoes, the texture changes significantly. It’s best to use them fresh or within a few days.

Additions and Substitutions:

ADDITIONS:

  • Toppings: Get creative with potato toppings: try pulled pork, chili, broccoli and cheddar cheese, or loaded baked potato style. Green onions and parmesan cheese are also great options.
  • Herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can be added to the foil packets for extra flavor.
  • Different Options: Try making a baked potato bar with all the favorite toppings for parties, or busy weeknights!

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Potatoes: While russet potatoes work best, you can use sweet potatoes or other types of potatoes, though the texture and cooking time will be different. Large potatoes may need longer cook times.
  • Oil: Avocado oil or melted butter can be used instead of olive oil. Just use a little olive oil to coat.
  • Cooking Method: This is a different option from air fryer baked potatoes or using a baking sheet in the oven, but just as delicious!
  • Equipment: This recipe works in a 6 quart crock pot or larger. I used a 7 quart and still had to layer one potato on top, so don’t worry if they don’t all fit in a single layer. Some prefer an instant pot method, but I think this slow cooking approach gives the best baked potatoes.

FAQs about amazing Baked Potatoes:

Do I need to add water to the Slow Cooker? 

No! The foil-wrapped potatoes create their own steam, so no additional liquid is needed. Adding a cup of water would actually make them soggy and ruin the texture.

Can I cook different sized potatoes together? 

It’s best to choose potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking time. If you have different sizes, the smaller ones will finish first. The size of your potatoes really affects the final result.

Can I make this for a crowd? 

Absolutely! This is a great idea for feeding a large group. You can even cook extra potatoes and use leftovers for baked potato soup, or potato salad the next day!

A close-up of a baked potato topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives, with a fork lifting a bite. The potato rests on crumpled aluminum foil.

What can I serve with these Crockpot Potatoes?

These potatoes make the perfect easy side dish for any meal! Serve them with grilled chicken, BBQ chicken, pork chops, or make them the main dish as loaded baked potatoes with all the toppings!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Five golden stars image.

I’m excited for you to try this Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes! After you make it, please leave a rating to let me know your thoughts on it – I’m eager to hear if you loved it as much as we do! This has become one of our favorite side dishes and I know you’ll love these new recipes too. Find us on IG + TikTok: @littlechefwithin

A slow cooker baked potato loaded with bacon, cheese, and sour cream.

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Vicky Hadley~Little Chef Within
These Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes are seriously a game changer! No more rubbery microwave potatoes, heating up the oven on a hot summer day, or waiting around for potatoes to bake.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 210.6 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 6 medium russet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 sheets aluminum foil

For serving:

  • Butter
  • Sour cream
  • Chives chopped
  • Shredded cheese
  • Bacon bits

Instructions
 

  • Wash and scrub potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. Pat completely dry with paper towels.
  • Using a fork, pierce each potato 8-10 times all over to prevent bursting during cooking.
  • Rub each potato with olive oil, ensuring the entire surface is coated.
  • In a small bowl, combine sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  • Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over all potatoes, rubbing it into the skin.
  • Wrap each seasoned potato individually in aluminum foil, sealing tightly.
  • Place wrapped potatoes in the slow cooker. No liquid is needed.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 1/2-3 hours, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  • Carefully remove potatoes from slow cooker using tongs.
  • Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then unwrap carefully as steam will escape.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut a deep slit lengthwise in each potato and gently squeeze the ends to open.
  • Fluff the flesh with a fork and season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve immediately with desired toppings.

Notes

Pro Tip: Don’t skip piercing the potatoes with a fork! This prevents them from bursting in the crock pot. 

Nutrition

Calories: 210.6kcalCarbohydrates: 38.7gProtein: 4.6gFat: 4.8gSaturated Fat: 0.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.4gSodium: 786.1mgPotassium: 892.5mgFiber: 2.8gSugar: 1.3gVitamin A: 2.6IUVitamin C: 12.1mgCalcium: 28.8mgIron: 1.9mg
Keyword crockpot, gluten free, potatoes, sides, slow cooker
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