How to Smoke Baked Potatoes for Smoky, Tender Results

Smoked baked potatoes have quickly become a family favorite. I’d always made baked potatoes in the oven, but smoking them adds a wonderful, smoky depth and keeps the house cool on hot days. They’re simple to prepare and pair perfectly with grilled or smoked mains.

Finding side dishes that adults and kids both enjoy can be a challenge. Since we smoke so many things, smoking baked potatoes was an obvious next step — and now I wonder why we didn’t try this sooner. The smoke gives the potato skin a crisp, flavorful texture while the interior stays fluffy and perfect for loading with toppings.

What You Need To Make Smoked Baked Potatoes

• Large baking potatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic salt or your favorite seasoning

Equipment: a pellet grill or any smoker (electric or pellet smoker works well), and a skewer or fork for piercing the potatoes.

How To Make Smoked Baked Potatoes

1. Clean the potatoes: Wash each potato thoroughly and pat dry. Removing dirt from the skin will help the seasonings stick and ensure even cooking.

2. Prepare your smoker: Start your pellet grill or smoker and set it to low-and-slow smoking. I typically use mesquite pellets for a bold smoke flavor, but any pellet flavor will work. Aim for a temperature around 225°F.

3. Pierce the potatoes: Use a fork or a long skewer to poke each potato several times. This allows steam to escape and lets smoke flavor penetrate the potato. It also prevents potatoes from bursting during smoking.

4. Season: Rub each potato with olive oil to help crisp the skin, then season generously with garlic salt or your preferred seasoning blend.

5. Smoke: Place the potatoes directly on the smoker rack and smoke for at least two hours at 225°F. You can rotate them if you like, but it’s not necessary; low-and-slow smoking develops the best flavor and texture.

6. Test for doneness: Insert a fork into the thickest part of a potato. If it slides in easily, the potato is done. Remove from the smoker and let rest briefly.

7. Serve: Split open, fluff the interior with a fork, and load with butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, bacon, or any favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Tips, Timing, and Variations

Smoking time can vary depending on potato size and smoker temperature. You can raise the temperature to 375–400°F to finish in about an hour, but smoking at 225°F for around two hours produces the deepest smoke flavor and a nicely crisp skin. For extra-crispy skin, brush a little more oil on near the end of cooking and return to the smoker for a few minutes.

If you have leftover smoked potatoes, they’re versatile: use them for twice-baked potatoes, chopped into a smoked potato salad, stirred into soups, or added to casseroles for an extra layer of flavor.

What To Serve With Smoked Baked Potatoes

Smoked baked potatoes pair well with a wide range of grilled or smoked main dishes. Try them with grilled burgers, bratwurst, grilled chicken or pork, cedar-plank salmon, garlic butter shrimp, or smoked brisket. Complement the meal with smoked side dishes like smoked green bean casserole, smoked mac and cheese, or smoked deviled eggs, or choose grilled sides such as grilled asparagus, corn on the cob, or stuffed mushrooms.

Simple Recipe Card: Smoked Baked Potatoes

Smoked baked potatoes are an easy way to add smoky flavor to a classic side without heating up your kitchen. They’re adaptable, kid-friendly, and a great match for almost any grilled or smoked main. Give them a try the next time you fire up the smoker.