Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
Wash and scrub potatoes
Pat potatoes dry
Poke 6–10 holes in each potato with a fork
Rub potatoes with olive oil (optional)
Sprinkle with salt
Place potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment
Bake 45–60 minutes for medium potatoes (60–75 minutes for large), until tender when pierced with a knife
Remove from oven and rest 5–10 minutes
Split potatoes, fluff the inside, and add butter, salt, pepper, and toppings as desired