Smoked Baked Potatoes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Forget the ovenโ€”once you try Smoked Baked Potatoes on the Traeger, youโ€™ll never go back! These smoked baked potatoes come out with crispy, flavorful skins and soft, fluffy insides, making them the perfect side for any BBQ feast. The real magic? That hit of smoky goodness that takes a simple spud to the next level.

Whether youโ€™re serving them alongside brisket, ribs, or just loading them up with toppings for a full meal, this recipe is a low-effort, high-reward game-changer. Plus, theyโ€™re ridiculously easy to makeโ€”just rub, smoke, and serve.

Fully loaded smoked baked potato with melted cheese, chives, sour cream, and brisket

๐Ÿฅ” Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Smoky Flavor โ€“ The BBQ rub and slow smoking give the potatoes a deep, savory taste you wonโ€™t get from the oven.
  • Perfect for Leftovers โ€“ If you have some leftover brisket, burnt ends, or shredded pork, throw it on top of your potato! No more boring leftovers.
  • Super Simple โ€“ Minimal prep, no wrapping in foilโ€”just season and let the smoker do its thing.
  • Crispy & Fluffy โ€“ The skin gets crispy while the inside turns into pure, buttery perfection.

๐Ÿ—’๏ธ Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these smoked baked potatoes, but each one plays a key role in getting that crispy skin and fluffy, smoky inside. Stick with the basics or load them up with toppings to turn them into a full meal. Check out the list below, and donโ€™t forget to scroll to the printable recipe card for exact measurements!

  • Russet Potatoes โ€“ The best choice for baked potatoes thanks to their fluffy texture.
  • Olive Oil โ€“ Helps crisp up the skin and lets the seasoning stick.
  • BBQ Rub โ€“ Adds bold, smoky flavor and a little kick. Use our recipe or your favorite blend.
  • Optional Toppings โ€“ Butter, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chives, or go all out with pork belly burnt ends.
Ingredients for smoked baked potatoes.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿณ How to Make Smoked Baked Potatoes

Making smoked baked potatoes is as easy as it getsโ€”just a few simple steps and your smoker does all the work. All you need is your Traeger or favorite smoker, some russet potatoes, and a few basic ingredients. No foil, no fussโ€”just perfectly crispy, smoky, and fluffy potatoes every time. Here is a quick overview, but be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the bottom for the full details.

  1. Prep the Smoker & Potatoes: Set your Traeger or smoker to 300ยฐF. Scrub and dry the potatoes, then poke a few holes in them with a fork.
  2. Season & Smoke: Rub each potato with olive oil, then coat generously with the BBQ rub. Throw them on the smoker and cook for about 2 hours.
  3. Load Up the Toppings: Slice open the potatoes and pile them with the good stuff. Top it off with some pork belly burnt ends, brisket burnt ends, pulled porkโ€ฆ go crazy!

๐Ÿ”ฅ Pro Tips for Perfect Smoked Potatoes

  • Use evenly sized potatoes โ€“ This ensures they cook at the same rate, so you donโ€™t end up with some overcooked and others undercooked.
  • Skip the foil โ€“ Wrapping potatoes traps moisture, preventing that crispy skin you get from smoking them directly on the grates.
  • Check for doneness with a probe โ€“ The perfect internal temp for baked potatoes is 210ยฐF. This will ensure they are tender and fluffy!
  • Double the batch โ€“ Leftover smoked potatoes are great for next-day breakfast hash or loaded potato skins.
  • Rotate for even cooking โ€“ If your smoker has hot spots, give the potatoes a quick turn halfway through cooking.
  • Donโ€™t skimp on seasoning โ€“ A generous coating of BBQ rub adds tons of flavor!

โฐ Adjust the Cooking Time

TemperatureMed Potatoes (about 8oz)Large Potatoes (10-12oz)
225ยฐF2ยฝ โ€“ 3 hours3 โ€“ 3ยฝ hours
250ยฐF2 โ€“ 2ยฝ hours2ยฝ โ€“ 3 hours
275ยฐF2 โ€“ 2ยผ hours2ยผ โ€“ 2ยฝ hours
300ยฐF1ยพ โ€“ 2 hours2 โ€“ 2ยผ hours
325ยฐF1ยฝ โ€“ 1ยพ hours1ยพ โ€“ 2 hours
350ยฐF1ยผ โ€“ 1ยฝ hours1ยฝ โ€“ 1ยพ hours
375ยฐF1 โ€“ 1ยผ hours1ยผ โ€“ 1ยฝ hours
400ยฐF50 โ€“ 60 minutes1 โ€“ 1ยผ hours
Fully loaded baked potato with a fork loaded with potato and melty cheese.

๐Ÿ˜‰ Substitutions and Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some easy substitutions and creative variations to customize your smoked baked potatoes.

  • Swap the BBQ Rub โ€“ Try a simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder or a spicy Cajun blend for a kick.
  • Use Sweet Potatoes โ€“ Follow the same method for a smoky, naturally sweet twist.
  • Go Dairy-Free โ€“ Skip the butter and sour cream, and top with guacamole or a drizzle of olive oil.
  • Stuff Them with Meat โ€“ Pulled pork, chopped brisket, or shredded chicken make these a full meal.
  • Make Them Cheesy โ€“ Melt a mix of cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack on top for extra richness.
  • Extra Crispy Skins โ€“ After smoking, brush with oil or butter and pop them under the broiler for a minute or two.
Plated fully loaded smoked baked potatoes with crispy skin.

๐Ÿฅก Storing and Reheating the Potatoes

Got leftovers? Smoked baked potatoes store well and reheat easily, so you can enjoy them later without losing that fluffy texture.

Storing

  • Let the potatoes cool completely, then wrap them in foil or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • For longer storage, freeze them whole (without toppings) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

  • Air Fryer (Best for Crispy Skin): Heat at 375ยฐF for 8-10 minutes until warmed through.
  • Microwave (Quick & Easy): Cut the potato in half and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in.

โ“ Questions and Answers

Do I need to wrap the potatoes in foil?

No! Smoking them unwrapped allows the skin to crisp up while absorbing more smoky flavor. Wrapping in foil traps steam, making the skin soft instead.

Whatโ€™s the best type of potato for smoking?

Russet potatoes work best because of their thick skin and fluffy interior. If you want to experiment, sweet potatoes are another great option.

How do I know when my potatoes are done?

Use a meat probe to check for an internal temperature of 210ยฐF. The skin should feel crisp, and a fork should slide in easily with no resistance.

Can I smoke potatoes at a lower or higher temperature?

Yes, you can. Scroll up to see a table with different cooking times and temperatures. This will give you a rough guideline for how to adjust the cooking time or temperature.

Can I cook these alongside other foods?

Absolutely! Smoked potatoes pair perfectly with meats like brisket, ribs, or chicken. Just adjust the time if your smoker is running at a lower or higher temp.

๐Ÿ  More Potato Recipes!

Plated fully loaded baked potato mounded with brisket and melted cheese.

CONNECT WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL!

Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

Did you make this recipe? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Fully loaded smoked baked potato.
No ratings yet

Smoked Baked Potatoes

Smoked Baked Potatoes are the ultimate BBQ sideโ€”crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and infused with rich smoky flavor. Made easily on a Traeger or any smoker, theyโ€™re perfect for loading up with toppings like butter, cheese, sour cream, and even pork belly burnt ends. Whether served alongside smoked meats or as a meal on their own, these potatoes are a simple, foolproof way to level up your cookout!
Course: Grilling, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 4 Russet Potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 4 tablespoons BBQ Rub

For the Toppings (Optional)

  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • ยฝ cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • ยผ cup Sour Cream
  • 2 tablespoons Chives, chopped
  • Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Instructions 

  • Preheat your Traeger or smoker to 300ยฐF.
  • Scrub and dry your potatoes. Use a fork to poke holes in the potatoes.
  • Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season them heavily with the BBQ rub.
  • Place the potatoes on the smoker and let them cook for just under 2 hours or until the internal temperaute of the potatoes reach 210ยฐF.
  • Remove the potatoes from the smoker. Slice them open and stuff them with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • For the ultimate fluffiness, be sure to pull them off the smoker when the internal temperature reaches 210ยฐF. Below is a table that will help you adjust the cooking time and temp, if needed. 
   Temp   
   Med Potatoes   
   Large Potatoes   
225ยฐF
2ยฝ โ€“ 3 hours
3 โ€“ 3ยฝ hours
250ยฐF
2 โ€“ 2ยฝ hours
2ยฝ โ€“ 3 hours
275ยฐF
2 โ€“ 2ยผ hours
2ยผ โ€“ 2ยฝ hours
300ยฐF
1ยพ โ€“ 2 hours
2 โ€“ 2ยผ hours
325ยฐF
1ยฝ โ€“ 1ยพ hours
1ยพ โ€“ 2 hours
350ยฐF
1ยผ โ€“ 1ยฝ hours
1ยฝ โ€“ 1ยพ hours
375ยฐF
1 โ€“ 1ยผ hours
1ยผ โ€“ 1ยฝ hours
400ยฐF
50 โ€“ 60 minutes
1 โ€“ 1ยผ hours

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 245kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 15mg, Potassium: 989mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 391IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 175mg, Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Tried this recipe?Mention @alicensetogrill or tag #alicensetogrill!

About Joshua Boquist

Josh is an outdoor enthusiast and food fanatic. A License To Grill is his passion project where the outdoors intersects food - grilling, smoking, and all things tasty!

You May Also Like

Get new recipes sent to your inbox!
Don't miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating