'I'm a chef and this is how I make jacket potatoes quicker every time'

A chef has shared his go-to way to make jacket potatoes. Jacket potatoes, also known as baked potatoes, are a favourite in British households. The beauty of a jacket potato is that it can be topped with so many things, all of which can make it a completely different dish. Favourites for fans of jacket potatoes include baked beans, cheese, bacon, tuna salad, or simply some butter that melts perfectly into the starchy vegetable.

Jacket potatoes are simple. Many Brits have their go-to ways of making them. However, a chef has chimed in with his suggestions for not only making this beloved British dish, but also elevating it. If you are looking to up your jacket potato game, then take notes. Because Chef Stuart from Nanna Tate has told the Daily Express about his tried and tested method for making jacket potatoes. And instead of using one large potato, he uses two smaller ones.

He revealed: "Swap one large baking potato for two smaller ones, they cook faster and still deliver that perfect fluffy centre. Pierce the skin a few times (to stop them splitting), then microwave for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through. This kickstarts the cooking process from the inside out.

"Push a metal skewer through the middle of each potato to help conduct heat straight to the centre, cutting down oven time.

"Not turning on the main oven? Your air fryer is a great alternative, especially for finishing off and crisping up the skin after microwaving."

It turns out that many cooks have come up with clever ways to modernise and elevate the classic jacket potato. The team at Riverford have revealed that purple sweet potatoes taste amazing when cooked the same way.

Yure Pires, a London-based private chef and qualified nutritionist, also shared some advice. "Parboil before roasting - this shortens cooking time and guarantees a crisp skin," the pro cook revealed. "For the filling, combine Greek yoghurt, fresh herbs, and lemon zest for a lighter alternative to sour cream."

If you are looking for a good topping for your jacket potatoes, then there are plenty of great options to choose from, depending on your preferences. However, some people swear by simply adding butter and a few seasonings to truly appreciate the flavours of the baked potato.