Smoked Baked Potatoes
18 Comments
Posted: 05/27/26
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I make these Smoked Baked Potatoes by seasoning them with salt, pepper, and garlic pepper, then slow cooking them on my Traeger electric pellet grill. Smoked potatoes are a quick and easy side dish that even beginners can make!
Why My Smoked Baked Potatoes are Superior!
Once you eat a baked potato off the smoker, the oven version will be ruined for you forever. The skin is crackly and seasoned like a steakhouse, the inside turns into actual clouds, and the smoke does something to a potato that butter and sour cream can only dream about.
Jason figured this out before I did (don’t tell him I said that), and now it’s the side dish we throw on any time the smoker is already running, especially when we are using hickory pellets.
These Smoked Baked Potatoes on the Traeger are fluffy on the inside with a crispy seasoned skin and great smoke flavor. Using only five pantry staple ingredients, you’ll be enjoying these potatoes all season long. This recipe works on any pellet grill, including Traeger, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, and Z Grills so what are you waiting for? Get smoking!
Key Ingredients
- Potatoes – The best potatoes to smoke are going to be the same ones that are great for baking in the oven like Russet and Yukon Gold. Use potatoes that are similar in size so the cooking time is the same.
- Olive oil – You could also use butter to rub on the outside of the potato to get that crispy skin.
Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Baked Potato Toppings And Variations
- Sour Cream
- Butter
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Green onions
- Caramelized onions
- Smoked Bacon
- Chili, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, pickled jalapeños.
- Brisket, BBQ sauce, shredded cheese, dollop of sour cream, crispy fried onions.
- Pulled Pork, coleslaw, BBQ sauce, shredded sharp cheddar
- Philly cheesesteak: Thinly sliced ribeye, sautéed onions and peppers, provolone or Cheez Whiz if you’re going authentic. Jason’s favorite.
- Broccoli cheddar: Steamed broccoli, cheddar cheese sauce or shredded cheddar, cracked black pepper.
How to Cook Baked Potatoes on the Smoker
- Combine seasonings. Mix in a small bowl.
- Prepare potatoes. Scrub potatoes well under warm water, dry and pierce holes with a fork. Brush with olive oil and roll potatoes in the bowl to coat with the spices.
- Smoke. Place potatoes on the preheated smoker for 2 hours or until fork tender.
For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Serving Suggestions
These are a few of our favorite main dishes to pair with Traeger baked potatoes! The most flavorful and juicy Smoked Pork Loin is always a family favorite and cooks well alongside your potatoes. Juicy, tender and protein packed Smoked Chicken Breasts are a weekly go-to and we love to smoke a Meatloaf just to switch things up every once in a while.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover smoked baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, cut the potato in half and heat it in the microwave. Another delicious option is to cut the potatoes into cubes and fry in butter on the stove top.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pellets should I use when smoking potatoes?
The wood you choose matters more for potatoes than most folks think. Potatoes are blank canvases that will soak up whatever smoke flavor you give them. A good rule of thumb is to pick your pellet based on the protein you’re serving with.
Hickory. My go-to. Strong enough to stand up to a heavily seasoned skin and pairs beautifully with beef, pork, and anything with bold rub on it. If you’re making these alongside a brisket or pork butt, hickory is the answer.
Competition blend. A mix of hickory, maple, and cherry, this is what I reach for when I’m cooking potatoes alongside chicken or a lighter protein and don’t want the smoke to overpower everything. This is a great all-purpose choice, especially for beginners.
Pecan. Softer and a little sweet, pecan is excellent with pork tenderloin, chicken, and smoked turkey. This is a gentler, nuttier smoke that my kids actually notice and comment on.
Mesquite. Mesquite is the boldest wood out there and can turn a potato bitter if you go too hard, so use it sparingly. If you love mesquite, cut it with a milder wood like oak.
Apple or cherry. These mild options are what you’d pick if you want only a whisper of smoke. Good for when the potato is the star (think loaded baked potato bar) rather than a side.
Should I wrap the potatoes in foil?
No, keep the potatoes unwrapped so that they can take on that delicious smoky flavor. Placing them right on the grill grates will also help the skin get nice and crisp.
Why are my baked potatoes dry?
Overcooking can lead to dry potatoes so keep an eye on them. Another reason could be that they were cooked at too low of a temperature, so be sure to give the smoker time to preheat before adding the potatoes.
Pro Tips
- Don’t skip out on piercing holes in the potatoes to help any built up steam escape, so the potato doesn’t explode.
- You can smoke your protein at the same time as the potatoes. Preheat to the temperature required for the protein and adjust the time the potatoes are smoking for. I’ve got a handy chart below!
| Temperature | Cook Time |
| 225º F | 2 hours, or slightly longer |
| 250º F | 2 hours |
| 275º F | 2 hours, or slightly less |
| 275º F | 1 ½ hours, or slightly longer |
| 325º F | 1 ½ hours |
| 350º F | between 1 – 1 ½ hours |
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling so I can see your grilling masterpieces!
Smoked Baked Potatoes Recipe
These light and fluffy Smoked Baked Potatoes are the perfect side dish recipe for your Traeger! Brushed with olive oil and then seasoned with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes medium
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat smoker according to manufacturer's directions to a temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl stir garlic powder, black pepper and salt to combine.
- Wash and dry potatoes. Pierce holes in potatoes with a fork. Brush with olive oil. Roll potatoes in spices in bowl until they are completely covered.
- Smoke for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 205–210 degrees Fahrenheit and a fork slides in easily.
- Serve potatoes with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 202kcal (10%), Carbohydrates: 39g (13%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 3g (5%), Sodium: 592mg (26%), Potassium: 897mg (26%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin C: 12.1mg (15%), Calcium: 28mg (3%), Iron: 1.8mg (10%)
More Potato Recipes
- The ultimate potato dish is Cheesy Potatoes on the Grill with Bacon. Gooey cheese, tender seasoned potatoes and crisp bacon make the best side dish. Plus clean up is a breeze when you use an aluminum foil pan.
- Switch up your starch and make Seasoned Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges for some extra flavor and nutrition.
- Nothing screams summer grilling like Baked Potatoes on the Grill. We love a baked potato bar with all of the best toppings.
- Elevate a classic potato tonight and make Smoked Potato Skins. They’re easy to make ahead and reheat when you’ve got hosting preparations to take care of.
W D says
Great and easy recipe…
the Evinks says
Great to hear! Thanks for rating and commenting on this recipe!
Ron says
Great tasting Idaho on the Traeger. My wife loves the white part and I love the skins. Thanks for sharing
Megan Mitzel says
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was a hit!
Texas Bubba says
Lots of bang for the buck. Great taste with no effort.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back and rating and commenting!
Renee Goerger says
I just said to my husband last night as we were eating these potatoes “I could eat these every day and be a very happy girl!”
Julie Evink says
I feel that way too!!
Rebecca Hubbell says
I love my Traeger and have been making ALL of the things on it – these potatoes were a real winner!
Julie Evink says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Melissa Howell says
I LOVE baked potatoes. And you’re right–they’re not nearly as good in the microwave. I seriously need to come to your house and have you smoke everything for me for an entire week!
Julie Evink says
You would be in heaven!
Malinda Linnebur says
This will be the perfect baked potato for our steaks!! Thanks for sharing!!
Julie Evink says
Such a great way to make a potato!
Sandi says
Does it matter which flavor pellets to use? I just got a Traeger so I’m excited to try these but don’t see which pellets you used or if it makes a difference.
Thanks for sharing your recipes, it’s a big help when new to smoking food.
Julie Evink says
Hi! You can def change up the pellets but honestly I usually stick with a mixed blend like competition blend! That’s what we love!
Danielle Green says
These look so simple yet so delicious!
Julie Evink says
They are such an easy and simple side dish idea!