# Do you eat the skin of baked taters? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 5, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478 "2024-10-05T17:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/1 "2024-10-05T17:00:38Z")
There’s a clear divide between baked potato eaters. Those that eat the skin and those that only scoop out the starchy goodness inside. Which are you? 🥔 _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/2 "2024-10-05T17:07:40Z")
I’m not sure what happened. My poll options order got changed. I had it logical with eat skins, eat skin if I washed myself, don’t eat skin, don’t eat baked. Oh well, Discovery has it’s own mind. I eat potato skins. At home I wash and rub with vegetable oil before baking. Makes the skin less dry. Restaurants may not wash as throughly. But 50 mintues at 400 degress will kill the bacteria. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/3 "2024-10-05T17:24:13Z")
Of course I eat the potato skins. I also eat the crust from my sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/4 "2024-10-05T17:25:40Z")
I voted I’ll eat the skin if I wash it myself. My sister worked at a Wendy’s when we were in high school back in the 90s. At that time they had baked potatoes that I really liked. My sister cautioned me against eating the skin because she said she didn’t always know how well they were cleaned. 😬 ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/5 "2024-10-05T17:29:03Z")
I will eat the skin if it hasn’t been charred. Sometimes, when made on the grill, parts of the skin can get a bit charred and I don’t care for that. Side note, when I do eat the skin I’ll a small amount steak sauce on it, even if I haven’t had steak. Steak sauce, melted butter, and potato skin just tastes good to me. I prefer [Bulliards](https://peppersunlimitedofla.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bull.Steak10oz.jpg) but A-1 or any of it’s clones will do. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/6 "2024-10-05T17:45:52Z")
Poll needs option — scoop out starchy filling, discard, eat _only_ skin. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/7 "2024-10-05T17:48:33Z")
The skin is the best part (though I wouldn’t waste the starchy filling, either). > [@pkbites](#): > > Side note, when I do eat the skin I’ll a small amount steak sauce on it, even if I haven’t had steak. Steak sauce, melted butter, and potato skin just tastes good to me. Steak sauce is much better on vegetables in general than it is on steak. It’s also good with a stir-fry. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/8 "2024-10-05T17:56:33Z")
I’ll go ketchup on the skin - but only if it needs it. In fact, that’s pretty much the only time I eat ketchup. j ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/9 "2024-10-05T18:00:19Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Poll needs option — scoop out starchy filling, discard, eat _only_ skin. 😛 Yeah, get some fried chicken and discard the meat and bones, and have that with your tater skins! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/10 "2024-10-05T18:03:55Z")
Sometimes I am served a tater with a very, dry skin. The skin is brittle and unpleasant to eat. That rarely happens. The poll is surprising me. I used to see a lot of empty potato shells on plates at restaurants. (Along with dirty ashtrays) Attitudes have changed and more people want the nutrients in the skin. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/11 "2024-10-05T18:09:33Z")
Skins are good, I like them with Worcestershire. I’ll even save my families uneaten potato skins to fry up for breakfast with eggs. There’s usually a good bit of potatoes still in its jacket ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/12 "2024-10-05T18:14:51Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Sometimes I am served a tater with a very, dry skin. The skin is brittle… That is baked potato skin at it’s very best. Junk food with no guilt. j ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/13 "2024-10-05T18:21:29Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > I will eat the skin if it hasn’t been charred. Sometimes, when made on the grill, parts of the skin can get a bit charred and I don’t care for that. > > Side note, when I do eat the skin I’ll a small amount steak sauce on it, even if I haven’t had steak. Steak sauce, melted butter, and potato skin just tastes good to me. Just the opposite and exactly the same. America, what a country! I like a well-done, crispy skin on my potato. Char is flavor. I also like the skin with a steak or BBQ sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/14 "2024-10-05T18:23:26Z")
I eat the skin, mostly. But then, we cook them in the (gasp!) microwave. The skin doesn’t get crispy. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/15 "2024-10-05T18:24:08Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > > [@pkbites](#): > > > > I will eat the skin if it hasn’t been charred. Sometimes, when made on the grill, parts of the skin can get a bit charred and I don’t care for that. > > > > Side note, when I do eat the skin I’ll a small amount steak sauce on it, even if I haven’t had steak. Steak sauce, melted butter, and potato skin just tastes good to me. > > Just the opposite and exactly the same. America, what a country! > > I like a well-done, crispy skin on my potato. Char is flavor. I also like the skin with a steak or BBQ sauce. On meat, definitely yes. On potato skins I don’t like char and I don’t like the texture of crinkly, cripsy skin flaking in my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/16 "2024-10-05T18:26:30Z")
Well, when my kids were young, I often found myself eating a meal of baked potatoes that mostly consisted of two potato skins and one whole potato. No problems at all, especially with some filling to go with it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/17 "2024-10-05T18:30:49Z")
I don’t like them charred, but just this side of it, and crispy. Same way I like my bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/18 "2024-10-05T18:31:29Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m not sure what happened. My poll options order got changed. When you are looking at the results, they are shown in order of number of votes, with the highest number of votes at the top When you are looking at the options before voting, they are still the same as you entered them At least that’s the way it appears on my screen ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/19 "2024-10-05T18:34:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The skin is the best part (though I wouldn’t waste the starchy filling, either). Seconded. And I like my baked potatoes like I like my handguns: _loaded_. Strangely, though, I don’t eat sweet potato skins. I’m not really sure why. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478/20 "2024-10-05T18:45:36Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Attitudes have changed and more people want the nutrients in the skin. The idea that most, or even much, of a potato’s nutrients is in the skin is a myth. The skin contains mostly fiber, along with some vitamins, but most of the nutrients are in the flesh of the potato. Cites: > **[fact-sheet-nutrition-in-skin-vs-flesh.pdf](https://idahopotato.com/uploads/media/fact-sheet-nutrition-in-skin-vs-flesh.pdf)** > > 354.99 KB [https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/food-verify/potato-apple-skins-not-where-all-vitamins-nutrients-minerals-are/536-2cb61c70-e220-45d0-84a4-a0976dbb497b](https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/food-verify/potato-apple-skins-not-where-all-vitamins-nutrients-minerals-are/536-2cb61c70-e220-45d0-84a4-a0976dbb497b) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-skin-of-baked-taters/1008478.md?page=2)