Potato Bar Toppings

There are many baked potato toppings to consider when making a smoked baked potato – go with what you love. When hosting a potato bar some toppings to consider adding:

Butter
Cheese (hello, Smoked Cheesy Potatoes)
Smoked Queso
Sour Cream
Bacon
Smoked Chili
Smoked Sausage or Smoked Kielbasa
Green Onions/Chives
Parsley

Serve these smoked potatoes next to Smoked Chuck Roast and Smoked Baked Beans for a true BBQ-style feast.

Three large potatoes on a baking sheet next to salt, pepper and oil.

Temperature

If you’re only smoking baked potatoes, and nothing else, we recommend a 225°F temperature.

If you’re smoking the potatoes with a protein, go with the recommended temperature in the protein recipe; the potatoes shouldn’t dictate the temperature over an expensive piece of meat.

Time

Depending on the size of the potatoes and the temperature, plan on a minimum of 90 minute and a maximum of 2 hours. The potatoes are done when the internal temperature is between 205° – 211°F.

We usually utilize large russet potatoes and cook them with a protein (at 225° -250°F), so know the taters will take a good 2 hours to cook.

If making smoked sweet potatoes, the final internal temperature is 205° – 211°F.

Loaded smoked baked potato on a baking sheet next to baked potato toppings.

Grilled Potatoes In Foil

You can choose to use aluminum foil or omit entirely. There are pros and cons to each method, so decide for yourself!

Foil Packet Potatoes

There are three big benefits to using foil and one drawback:

Pro: Ensures even cooking
Pro: Ensures a shorter cook time, as the foil traps the heat
Pro: Softer skin
Con: Limited exposure to the smoke

Baked Potato No Foil

There are three big benefits to forego the foil and two drawbacks:

Pro: Less supplies = cheaper recipe
Pro: Possible reduced health implications (many folks don’t use foil for this reason)
Pro: Super crisp skin
Con: Longer cook time
Con: Flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking

How to Make Smoked Baked Potatoes

This smoked potatoes recipe works great on a pellet/electric smoker, manual smoker using charcoal or wood, as well as a gas grill. The important thing is to make sure you have the required supplies we list below.

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Charcoal – Pre-heat the coals and transfer them to the center of the grill. Open the vents until you’re able to maintain a temperature of between 225° – 250°F. Place the wood directly on the pre-heated coals, to create smoke.

Pellet/Electric Smoker (Baked Potato on Pellet Grill) – Pre-heat the grill to 225°F. Follow the manufacture’s instructions to ensure an even smoke. Traeger Baked Potatoes are amazing!

Gas Grill – Turn on all the burners to the lowest temperature setting. Check the temp and adjust as needed to maintain 225°F. Use a smoker box filled with wood to create smoke. Or omit to make grilled baked potatoes.

Supplies

Energy Source – Charcoal, pellets, propane, gas, etc.
Smoking Wood – Chunks, or chips.
Thermometer – Always use a meat thermometer.
Smoker Box – You need one to infuse the smoke flavor, if utilizing a gas grill.
Aluminum Foil (Optional)

Wood Recommendations

Potatoes are mild in flavor so any type of wood would work well! Experiment to see what varietal you like best.

Three foil packet potatoes on a grill next to a roast.

Recipe Tips

Smoked Sweet Potatoes and Smoked Red Potatoes will also work – no edits required.
Choose potatoes similar in size as to ensure they cook as evenly as possible.
Always use a thermometer. You want to cook based on temperature not time.
Make sure to check the internal temperature on all the potatoes, not just one, as the temps can vary.
Cutting tip – firmly grasp the long ends of the cooked potato with tongs. Cut down the middle, lengthwise in a zig zag pattern. Gently squeeze the tongs and watch the potato pop open – ready to stuff with toppings!

Serve With

While smoked baked potatoes can be a meal by itself, it’s also a popular side dish for other more popular smoker recipes! Here are some main dishes to pair it with, in addition to Grilled Beef Kabobs:

Click to see our list of 50 Best Things To Smoke In A Smoker.