If you’re after an easy, economical and delicious way to make baked potatoes, try this slow cooker jacket potato recipe.
Cooking jacket potatoes in a slow cooker is a hands-off method perfect for busy days. It uses less energy than an oven and still gives you tender, fluffy potato flesh with well-seasoned, crispier skins when done correctly.
How to cook Jacket Potatoes in a Slow Cooker
Baked potatoes are simple to prepare and there are a few tips below to help you get the best results. Read on for the full recipe, timings, serving ideas and storage advice.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes (Baked Potato)
Luke and Kay – Flawless Food
Follow these easy steps and you’ll have tender, fluffy baked potatoes in a few hours.
The slow cooker does the work and is more economical than an oven, so it’s ideal for cooking multiple potatoes at once.
Cooked potatoes store well in the fridge for up to four days or can be frozen for months; reheat in the microwave or oven when needed.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Jacket Potatoes – about 230g each
- ½ tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt
Instructions
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Wash the potatoes and prick each one several times with a fork.
Most slow cookers will fit at least four large potatoes; arrange them in a single layer on the base.
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Pour ½ tablespoon olive oil into the slow cooker and roll the potatoes so all sides are coated. Alternatively, use a spray oil.
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Sprinkle salt over each potato, covering all sides.
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For crisper skin, place a clean, dry tea towel over the slow cooker pot before putting the lid on. This absorbs condensation and prevents it dripping onto the potatoes.
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Place the lid on and cook on High for 4 hours for the best crispy skin, or Low for about 8 hours. Larger potatoes may need more time.
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Remove the lid and check the potatoes are soft all the way through with a knife. If needed, cook a little longer.
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Serve with your favourite toppings.
Video
Nutrition
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Our Slow Cooker Jacket Potato Recipe was originally published on 12/09/2022 and updated on 27/06/2024 to simplify the layout and improve guidance.
Why use a Slow Cooker?
A slow cooker cooks food slowly and evenly, producing tender potatoes with minimal effort. It uses significantly less electricity per hour than an electric oven and gives off less heat, which helps keep the kitchen cooler in summer.
Ingredients
You only need three basic ingredients for crisp-skinned slow cooker jacket potatoes:
- Potatoes – choose a variety suited to baking: baking/white potatoes, King Edward, Maris Piper, Russet or Idaho work well.
- Oil – olive oil, butter or any preferred oil to rub into the skins; it helps them crisp and adds flavour.
- Salt – draws moisture out of the skin and helps it crisp; add other seasonings if you like.
With the ingredients ready, follow the steps above to prepare and cook the potatoes in your slow cooker.
Instructions
Clean and dry the potatoes, prick them with a fork, coat with oil and salt, cover the pot with a clean dry tea towel, place the lid on and cook as directed.
Add oil to the slow cooker, roll the potatoes in it, season with salt and place a clean tea towel over the pot before fitting the lid. The towel helps absorb condensation and prevents it dripping onto the skins.
Cooking Time
Times vary with potato size, but these guidelines work well for medium potatoes (230–290g):
| Slow Cooker Setting | Potato Cooking Time (230g – 290g) |
|---|---|
| Low | 7-8 hours |
| High* | 4-5 hours |
Adjust time for very large or small potatoes as needed.
How many potatoes can I cook at once?
You can cook as many as fit in a single layer touching the base of the slow cooker. The number won’t change the cooking time—only the potato size and crockpot heat distribution do.
When cooked, remove the potatoes and let them cool slightly before slicing open and adding toppings.
Serving Suggestions
Slow cooker jacket potatoes are versatile. Top with sour cream and bacon, butter and salt, tuna mayo and sweetcorn, cheese and baked beans, chilli con carne, prawn cocktail, egg mayo or any favourite combination.
Storage Advice
Leftover jacket potatoes cool quickly. Wrap them in cling film or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Cooked potatoes freeze well for up to six months; seal in an airtight bag before freezing. Thaw at room temperature or reheat from frozen.
Reheating
Microwave
Reheat chilled potatoes for about 3 minutes, checking and adding 1-minute bursts until hot. From frozen, start with 5 minutes and increase as needed.
Oven
Reheat in an oven at 180°C (160°C fan / 350°F) for roughly 20 minutes until heated through.
History
Jacket potatoes, or baked potatoes, have been a British favourite for centuries. Introduced to Britain in the 17th century, potatoes became a versatile and widely grown staple offering a filling alternative to bread.
FAQ’S
No. Wrapping in foil can make the skins soggy. For crispier skin, leave them unwrapped and use a towel under the lid to control condensation.
Lining isn’t necessary, though parchment paper can make cleanup easier. Avoid foil if you want crisp skins.
No preheating is required.
A towel absorbs condensation from the lid, preventing droplets from making the skins soggy and helping them crisp.
More Potato Recipes
If you love potatoes, try other easy recipes like air fryer roast potatoes, roasted baby potatoes or mashed potatoes. There are plenty of options for every occasion.
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Parmentier Potatoes – Roasted Cubed Potatoes
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Cheese and Mashed Potato Pie
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Mashed Potato with Single Cream – Easy Side Dish
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Goose Fat Roast Potatoes
This method is straightforward and produces comforting, reliably tasty jacket potatoes. Try it and tell us in the comments what toppings you prefer.