Both baked potatoes and twice baked potatoes start with a whole, raw potato. The difference lies in how they are prepared and what happens after the initial baking.
A baked potato is rubbed with oil, poked with a fork, and baked in the oven until tender all the way through. It is then typically served hot with various toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon bits.
A twice baked potato is first baked until tender, just like a regular baked potato. After baking, it is cut in half lengthwise and the inside is scooped out, leaving just a bit of the flesh still clinging to the skin. The scooped out interior is mashed together with ingredients like milk, butter, cheese, bacon, green onions, etc. This flavorful mashed potato filling is then spooned back into the potato skins and baked again to warm through and brown. Twice baked potatoes end up with a crispy outside and a creamy, cheesy inside.
So in summary:
Baked Potato
– Baked once
– Served hot with toppings added after baking
– Fluffy potato interior
Twice Baked Potato
– Baked twice
– Scooped out, filled with ingredients, and rebaked
– Crispy exterior, creamy interior
Now let’s explore some more differences between these potato dishes in detail.
Cooking Process
The key difference in cooking lies in the extra steps taken for twice baked potatoes.
Baked Potatoes
Here is the process for cooking regular baked potatoes:
1. Scrub potatoes under water to clean off any dirt. Dry them thoroughly.
2. Poke holes all over the potato with a fork. This allows steam to escape and prevents them from exploding in the oven.
3. Rub the potato skin with oil or butter. This helps the skin get extra crispy.
4. Place directly on oven rack and bake at 425°F for 60-90 minutes, until a fork easily pierces through to the middle.
5. Once cooked, cut potatoes open and serve immediately with desired toppings.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice baked potatoes involve more preparation:
1. Follow steps 1-3 above.
2. Bake at 400°F for 45-60 minutes until tender but still firm. Do not bake all the way through.
3. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides, leaving just enough potato in the skin to keep its shape.
4. Place hollowed out skins on a baking sheet.
5. Mash the insides together with milk, butter, cheese, bacon, onions, spices, etc.
6. Spoon filling mixture back into each potato skin.
7. Bake for another 15-20 minutes at 400°F to warm through.
8. Serve warm.
As you can see, twice baked potatoes require extra baking time, as well as hollowing out the potato and preparing a filling.
Ingredients
Baked potatoes are simple, relying on the potato itself to shine. Twice baked potatoes include mix-ins for extra flavor.
Baked Potato Toppings
Popular baked potato toppings include:
– Butter
– Sour cream
– Shredded cheese
– Crumbled bacon
– Chives
– Broccoli
– Chili
– Salsa
– Diced ham
– Fried onions
– Barbecue sauce
Anything goes when topping a hot baked potato! The toppings are usually added right before eating.
Twice Baked Potato Fillings
Some tasty fillings for twice baked potatoes include:
| Filling | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Cheesy | Sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, chives |
| Broccoli Cheese | Cooked broccoli, cheddar cheese, garlic |
| Chili | Cooked ground beef, chili powder, onion, cheddar cheese |
| BBQ Chicken | Shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese |
The fillings are mixed into the mashed potato interior before stuffing them back into the potato skins. Cheese is commonly added for extra richness.
Flavor and Texture
The different cooking methods also impact the final flavor and texture.
Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes have a fluffy, starchy interior surrounded by a crisp, chewy skin. The flesh soaks up any toppings added after baking.
Exactly how they turn out depends on the potato variety used:
– Russet potatoes are fluffy and absorbent. Great for baking.
– Red potatoes hold their shape well when baked. Slightly waxy.
– Yukon gold potatoes are smooth and creamy. A good all-purpose baked potato.
The potato flavor really shines through. Especially with just simple additions like butter, cheese, and chives.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice baked potatoes end up with a creamier, richer interior with added flavors from the fillings. The interior is denser from being mashed and mixed.
The potato skins get ultra crispy and crunchy from the second bake. They help provide texture contrast to the smooth filling.
Overall, twice baked potatoes have a more complex flavor profile compared to the simple potato taste of baked potatoes. The fillings like cheese, bacon, and herbs take them up a notch.
Nutrition
Potatoes are nutritious vegetables that provide key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Let’s compare some of the nutritional differences.
Calories and Macronutrients
Here is the approximate nutrient makeup for a medium baked or twice baked potato (6-8 oz):
| Nutrient | Baked Potato | Twice Baked Potato |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 161 | 233 |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 30g |
| Protein | 4g | 10g |
| Fat | 0g | 10g |
Twice baked potatoes end up with nearly 50% more calories than baked potatoes. This comes from increased fat and protein from the fillings.
However, baked potatoes contain more carbohydrates and starch per serving compared to twice baked.
Micronutrients
Here are some of the vitamins and minerals found in baked and twice baked potatoes:
– Vitamin C – Both contain this antioxidant vitamin, with baked potatoes providing more (27% DV vs. 15% DV per serving)
– Vitamin B6 – Twice baked potatoes contain more, about 25% DV vs. 15% DV for baked potatoes
– Potassium – Both are high in this mineral. Baked potatoes have 620mg (13% DV) vs. 539mg (11% DV) for twice baked.
– Iron – Twice baked potatoes provide significantly more iron, about 25% DV compared to 15% DV for baked.
– Magnesium – Baked potatoes contain more magnesium per serving, providing 12% DV vs. 8% DV for twice baked.
Overall, baked potatoes contain more Vitamin C and magnesium, while twice baked are higher in B vitamins like B6 and folate, as well as iron.
Serving Size
Portion sizes also differ between the two dishes:
Baked Potatoes
A full baked potato is a common single serving. Sizes include:
– Small – 4 oz
– Medium – 6 oz
– Large – 8 oz
– Extra Large – 10+ oz
Given their high starch and carbohydrate content, most people eat baked potatoes as a standalone meal or large side dish.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice baked potatoes are often served as:
– Appetizer – Halved potato skins, 2-4 pieces
– Side – Halved potato, 1-2 pieces
– Entree – 2 halved potatoes
The richer fillings mean twice baked potatoes are often portioned smaller than whole baked potatoes. Their creamy texture also makes them more filling.
Time Commitment
It takes longer to prepare twice baked potatoes compared to basic baked potatoes.
Baked Potatoes
– Total Time: 1-1.5 hours
– Active Time: 5 minutes
Rubbing the potatoes with oil, poking holes, placing them on a baking sheet, and putting them in the oven takes just 5-10 minutes of effort. The rest of the time is hands-off baking.
Twice Baked Potatoes
– Total Time: 1.5-2 hours
– Active Time: 30 minutes
Twice baked potatoes require the initial bake time, plus more hands-on time hollowing out the potatoes, making the filling, and stuffing them back in the skins before second baking. Total preparation time is about twice as long.
If making a meal, twice baked potatoes also require cooking any fillings like chicken or ground beef ahead of time.
Cost
Based on average grocery store prices, here’s how the ingredient costs compare:
Baked Potatoes
– Russet Potatoes: $0.50 per pound ($0.80 per medium potato)
– Butter: $0.10
– Sour cream: $0.30
– Shredded cheese: $0.25
– Bacon bits: $0.15
*Total cost per potato: $1.60*
Twice Baked Potatoes
– Potatoes: $0.80
– Butter: $0.15
– Milk: $0.10
– Shredded cheese: $0.35
– Bacon: $0.40
– Misc ingredients like onions or spices: $0.15
*Total cost per 2 potatoes: $2.90*
Twice baked potatoes cost about 80% more per serving compared to simple baked potatoes. The extra ingredients like cheese, bacon, and seasonings drive up the price.
Taste Preference
Whether you’ll prefer baked vs. twice baked potatoes often comes down to taste:
Reasons to choose **baked potatoes**:
– You like the plain potato flavor
– You want toppings like chili or barbecue sauce
– You prefer a fluffier, less dense interior
– You like having whole potatoes as a meal
Reasons to choose **twice baked potatoes**:
– You like rich, creamy potato texture
– You enjoy cheese, bacon, onions, etc.
– You want something more filling as a side dish
– You prefer the crunchier exterior potato skins
Twice baked potatoes appeal more to those who like flavorful, savory foods. Baked potatoes are favored by those who enjoy the plain potato taste with fresh toppings.
Uses
Baked and twice baked potatoes can both be served as meals or sides, but differ in their versatility.
Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are often enjoyed as:
– A simple meal with just butter, cheese, bacon, etc.
– A veggie side dish to complement proteins like steak, chicken, or fish
– Party appetizers when baked into smaller potatoes
– Salad topping additions for extra nutrition
Their portability and customization with toppings make baked potatoes very adaptable.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice baked potatoes work well:
– As a rich side dish with dinner
– As an appetizer for parties cut into halves or quarters
– As a light entree when stuffed with protein fillings like chicken
– In potato skin recipes where the filling is scooped into a casserole
The creamy interior and delicate skins make twice baked potatoes less suitable for on-the-go meals. They work better plated up for sit-down meals and appetizers.
Conclusion
While baked potatoes and twice baked potatoes both start with whole, raw potatoes, their final outcomes differ considerably.
Here’s a quick summary of the main differences:
Baked Potatoes
– Baked once until tender all the way through
– Fluffier, starchier interior
– Crisp skin
– Topped after baking
– Eaten plain or with sauces and mix-ins
– Usually enjoyed as its own meal
– Simple preparation
– Lower cost
Twice Baked Potatoes
– Baked twice with filling added in between
– Hollowed out and stuffed potato skins
– Crunchier, browned exterior
– Richer, creamier interior
– Stuffed with cheese, bacon, etc
– More commonly a side dish
– More complex preparation
– Higher cost
While personal taste will determine whether you prefer the heartier twice baked or simpler baked potatoes, both make for an utterly delicious potato dish. With so many ways to vary the toppings and fillings, baked and twice baked potatoes can be enjoyed again and again.