If you're looking for an easy, economical and delicious way to make baked potatoes, look no further than our slow cooker jacket potato recipe.
Jacket potatoes cooked in the slow cooker offer an easy and hands-off approach to making baked potatoes that is perfect for busy weeknights. They'll save you money on energy bills compared to the oven method.
Don't worry; they still have beautiful crispy skin and are fluffy and soft inside, ready to serve as a tasty side dish for lunch or dinner with your favourite topping.
If you want quicker results use our air fryer baked potato recipe or for the traditional method try our oven baked jackets.
How to cook Jacket Potatoes in a Slow Cooker
Baked Potatoes are simple to make and can be cooked in various ways. After the recipe card, keep reading for more cooking tips and FAQ's.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes (Baked Potato)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Jacket Potato - about 230g
- ½ tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt
Instructions
- Wash and prick 4 Jacket Potato all over with a fork about four times. Most slow cookers will fit at least 4 large potatoes, you can cook more, as many as will fit in a single layer in the slow cooker.
- Pour ½ tablespoon Olive Oil into the bottom of the slow cooker and roll all sides of the potato skins into it.Or use spray oil instead.½ tablespoon Olive Oil
- Sprinkle with Salt on both sides.Salt
- For best results use a tea towel over the slow cooker pot before placing the lid on. This helps create crispy skin by preventing condensation from the lid dripping onto the potatoes.
- Place lid on top, cook in the slow cookerHigh - 4 hours *Prefered method for crispy skin*Low - 8 hours(if the potatoes are larger than 260 grams each you may need extra time?)
- Remove the lid, check soft throughout with a knife.
- Serve with your favourite toppings.
Video
Nutrition
Our Slow Cooker Jacket Potato Recipe was originally published on 12/09/2022. It was modified on 27/06/2024 with a more straightforward layout to make getting to the recipe card easier and improved advice.
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Why use a Slow Cooker?
We have already shared how to cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer which is a quicker method than oven baking.
Another popular, easy way to cook jacket potatoes is in a slow cooker.
Slow cookers are great for cooking food slowly and evenly, which results in delicious, tender potatoes. They can be put on and forgotten about whilst they are left to cook all day.
A slow cooker uses significantly less electricity per hour of cooking than an electric oven. Additionally, slow cookers generate less heat than ovens, so they can help keep your kitchen cooler in the summer months.
Using a slow cooker is an excellent option if you are trying to save energy and money.
Ingredients
It's pretty simple; the slow cooker only needs three ingredients to make crispy-skinned baked potatoes.
- Potatoes - Choose the right type for baking. Check the packaging for suitability.
- Baking Potatoes - Larger with thick, dark skin. Develop a fluffy texture and rich flavour when slow-cooked.
White Potatoes - Smaller and cheaper, still great for jacket potatoes in a slow cooker.
King Edwards and Maris Piper - Suitable UK varieties.
Russet or Idaho Potatoes - Commonly used in the US.
Oil - Use olive oil, butter, or any preferred oil to rub into the skin for crispiness. Infused oils can add extra flavour. - Salt - Helps draw out moisture and create crispy skin. Feel free to add other seasonings if desired.
Now you know what ingredients you need, let's move on and show you how to cook slow cooker jacket potatoes.
Instructions
To make jacket potatoes in the slow cooker, clean your baking potatoes and dry them with a towel. Poke holes in each potato with a fork.
Add oil into the slow cooker, roll the potatoes in the oil, and add salt so they have oil and salt on all sides.
Before placing the lid on the slow cooker jacket potatoes, lay a clean, dry tea towel over the crock pot.
The tea towel stops the condensation from dripping off the slow cooker lid onto the jacket potatoes, which is the key to getting the skin crispy.
Place the lid on top of the clean tea towel.
Cooking Time
Cooking time can be adjusted to suit your timescales and the size of the potatoes used, but they will take a good few hours.
I find the best crispy skin results come from 4 hours on high. However, you can set it for 8 hours on low instead.
| Slow Cooker Setting | Potato Cooking Time (230g - 290g) |
|---|---|
| Low | 7-8 hours |
| High* | 4-5 hours |
These cooking times are based on medium potatoes weighing approx 230-260 grams. You may need to add extra time if you use huge potatoes or less time for smaller potatoes.
How many potatoes can I cook at once?
You can cook more potatoes in the slow cooker at once as long as they touch the base of the pot.
It depends on the size of the potato used and the size of your crockpot.
The cooking time will be the same regardless of the number of potatoes cooked.
When the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the slow cooker and let them cool slightly before topping them with your favourite toppings.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you load them up with sour cream and bacon or keep it simple with some butter and salt, slow cooker jacket potatoes are sure to please.
Here are some more baked potato topping ideas we enjoy.
Tuna Jacket Potato
One popular way to enjoy them is to top them with tuna mayo and sweetcorn. This classic combination is tasty and filling, making it perfect for lunch or light dinner.
Jacket Potato Cheese and Beans
One of my favourite ways to enjoy them is to top them with cheese and baked beans, providing a hearty and filling meal that is quick and easy to prepare.
Chili Baked Potato
Another popular option is to top your baked potato with Chilli con Carne giving the potatoes a spicy twist that will please those with a more adventurous palate.
Prawn Jacket Potato
Another delicious seafood option is the prawn cocktail. You can easily turn this classic starter into a main course by adding a jacket potato.
The creamy sauce and succulent prawns are the perfect toppings for a crispy potato, making it a truly indulgent meal.
We also really enjoy a large scoop of our egg mayo in baked potatoes.
No matter how you enjoy your slow cooker jacket potatoes, they are sure to provide a satisfying and enjoyable meal.
So why not try something new and experiment with different toppings for your jacket potato? There are endless possibilities, so let your imagination run wild!
Storage Advice
Are you wondering what to do with leftover jacket potatoes? Here are a few storage suggestions to help you make the most of your leftovers.
If you have leftover jacket potatoes, allow them to cool, then immediately wrap them in cling film or keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing
You can also freeze cooked potatoes for up to six months. To do this, place potatoes in an airtight bag and place them in the freezer.
When ready to eat them, you can either thaw the potatoes at room temperature or reheat them from frozen in the microwave.
Reheating
You can reheat baked potatoes in the microwave or oven
Microwave
Reheat a chilled baked potato in the microwave for 3 minutes; check if warmed through and continue in 1-minute intervals. (if reheating more than one at a time increase the reheat time by 2 minutes per extra potato.)
To reheat from frozen, cook in the microwave for 5 minutes. (if reheating more than one at a time increase the reheat time by 4 minutes per extra potato.)
Oven
You can reheat baked potatoes in the oven at 350°F /180°C / 160 °C fan. It will take approximately 20 minutes to heat through.
History
Jacket potatoes, also known as baked potatoes, have been a popular dish in the United Kingdom for many years.
First introduced to Britain in the 17th century, they quickly became a staple of the British diet. Potatoes could be grown in virtually any type of soil, quickly becoming a popular alternative to bread.
FAQ'S
No, I don't recommend wrapping potatoes tightly in foil. It cooks them fine but makes soggy-skinned baked potatoes.
You don't need to line a slow cooker pot, but it can make for easier cleanup; I suggest using baking paper or parchment, not foil.
There is no need to preheat the slow cooker.
The towel will help absorb any moisture condensing on the slow cooker lid. Preventing it from dripping back down onto the potatoes, which makes the skin soggy.
More Potato Recipes
If you love potatoes as much as we do here are some more easy recipes for you to enjoy. From air fryer roast potatoes to oven roasted baby potatoes we have so many ideas.
This method is easy and means you can enjoy your favourite comfort food without the hassle. We guarantee you'll love this slow cooker jacket potatoes recipe.
So what are you waiting for? Let us know in the comments what you top yours with.
YMW says
Genius idea of putting a towel under the lid of the slow cooker as potatoes came out crispy. When reheating the potato for later on bake, without aluminium foil to keep skin crispy.
Luke and Kay says
Thank you for your feedback and five-star rating regarding our slow cooker jacket potatoes! We are pleased to hear that you enjoy cooking them using the recommended method. It is a great way to get the perfect crispy potatoes each time. 🙂
Chris G says
Tried making this recipe and was sceptical it would work in a slow cooker. How wrong I was. The potatoes were crispy and delicious and it was so easy. Served them with a chicken curry and everyone really enjoyed them.
Luke and Kay says
Thank you for taking the time to review this Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes recipe, Chris. We are so pleased to hear the potatoes turned out crispy and delicious and you could easily enjoy them with your chicken curry. 🙂
Hilary Airey says
PS I also like the format of your recipes - great to see a picture of each stage. Thanks.
Hilary Airey says
I am delighted with this recipe. Thank you so much. My new oven takes ages to bake them and even then they didn't come out crispy. These were delicious.
Kay says
Thank you, Hilary! We're so glad you enjoyed the recipe. We love our slow cooker for recipes like this--it makes them so easy and delicious. And we're happy to hear you appreciate the format of our recipes, too. Pictures are a big part of that, and we're glad they help make your cooking experience better. 🙂
Ann says
I love the idea of making baked potatoes in the crockpot. I have never tried before, but sounds like a great way!
Kay says
Thank you for trying our Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes Ann, and for giving them 5 stars! I'm glad you like the idea of making baked potatoes in the crockpot. They are a great way to make a delicious, filling meal with little effort.
Amy Liu Dong says
Wow! This potato looks so yummy and there are many variants! I love the slow cook method, it brings out the best taste in any dish/food that I've taken. I'll definitely make this at home!
Kay says
We're glad you love the look of our slow cooker jacket potatoes, Amy! And we're even more thrilled that you're excited to try them out. We think you'll love the taste, too--thanks for giving them a go!
Denise says
I am so glad I found this recipe! I made this yesterday and they came out perfect!
Kay says
Thank you for trying our Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes recipe, Denise! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed it. The potatoes are great comfort food and perfect for a chilly day. Thanks again for giving them a try.
Jamie says
Hands up to this recipe. It is so delicious and so easy to make.
What I love about this recipe is that you can make this in a short period of time.
Kay says
Thank you for trying our Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes Jamie! We're so glad you enjoyed them and that they were easy to make.
We love hearing feedback like this as it helps us continue to create recipes that are both delicious and easy to follow. Thank you for your support; we hope you'll try more of our recipes in the future!