The traditional jacket potato has just received a glow-up in this easy recipe by Matt Moran. Here, the comforting staple is expertly elevated by swapping cream for a confit garlic and chilli butter, oozing into the crevasses of the steaming-hot fluffy potato. Sweet, fragrant and exceptionally delicious, this is one recipe to keep on hand for slow Sundays and easy weeknight meals.

What you need to know before you start

You’ll need basic cooking equipment to recreate this recipe at home, including a saucepan, a strainer, mixing bowls and a sharp knife. This dish comes together in roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes, however, this includes 20 minutes while the garlic gently cooks in oil, and 1 hour and 15 minutes for the potatoes to roast in the oven. 

When making the confit garlic, store the unused oil in a jar and use it for future recipes such as a simple salad dressing, to drizzle over pasta or to fry eggs. 

Why is this the best jacket potato with confit garlic and chilli herb butter recipe?

Created by Australian celebrity chef and restaurateur Matt Moran, the humble potato is turned into this spectacular side, perfect to complement your Christmas dinner. Beautifully slow-roasted spuds are elevated with a rich and flavour-packed confit garlic and a luscious herby butter for an easy yet impressive dish to accompany a main course. 

Should I wrap jacket potatoes in foil?

No, it’s not necessary to wrap your jacket potato in foil. Foil will trap moisture and create steam, causing the potato to steam rather than roast. This will stop you from creating that beautiful crispy exterior.

How long is a jacket potato meant to be in the oven?

In this recipe, 6 medium-sized potatoes roast in a 220°C/200°C fan-forced oven for 30 minutes, then again for a further 45 minutes with the temperature reduced to 190°C/170°C fan-forced. The results are a perfectly creamy and fluffy interior with a golden crisp exterior. 

What ingredients you’ll need

All-rounder potatoes: You can’t have a jacket potato recipe without the potatoes. We use medium-sized desiree potatoes.

Extra virgin olive oil: The potatoes are lightly coated in olive oil to help crisp the exterior and add a rich savoury flavour. 

Garlic cloves: Garlic is essential for the garlic confit component. Once cooked, they become beautifully tender, sweet and mellow in flavour. 

Rosemary: Rosemary imparts an earthy herbaceous aroma to the confit garlic.

Grapeseed oil: The neutral flavour of grapeseed oil is ideal for confit recipes. The mild taste allows the garlic to shine. 

Salted butter: The creamy richness of salted butter serves as the base for the chilli herb butter. 

Wholegrain mustard: Mustard brings a tangy, slightly spicy flavour with a bite of texture to the butter. 

Chilli flakes: Chilli is used in the butter to impart a subtle heat.

Flat-leaf parsley: Parsley adds fresh, grassy notes, brightening the dish and adding a pop of colour. 

Chives: Similarly, chives add a sharp freshness, thanks to their onion-like flavour. 

How do you cook a jacket potato?

Cooking a jacket potato is a simple process. All you need is an oven, potatoes, a sharp knife to pierce the spuds, olive oil and salt flakes. Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced before lining a baking tray with baking paper and adding your washed, dried and pierced potatoes. Rub each potato with olive oil and season generously with salt flakes. Roast for 30 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 190°C/170°C fan-forced and roast for a further 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. 

How to store leftover jacket potatoes

If you have any leftovers, store the potatoes in the refrigerator in an airtight container and consume within a few days. To reheat and get that crispiness again, use an air fryer, or mix it up and chop the leftover potatoes and add to an omelette or frittata.

Confit garlic can be placed in a clean glass jar with the oil and kept in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. And finally, the herbed butter can be similarly stored in the fridge in an airtight container. 

What to serve with jacket potatoes

Serve your beautifully roasted potatoes on a platter with the herbed butter and confit garlic spooned into the centre. The warmth from the spuds will gently melt the butter and flavour the dish.

Use this recipe as a base and get creative in the kitchen with your own jacket potato recipe filling ideas. These can include a luscious bolognese, crispy bacon and chives, or salmon and dill. Whatever topping you choose, pair it with your favourite Christmas mains or Sunday lunch favourites like barbecued meats or roast pork.

If you love our jacket potato with confit garlic and chilli herb butter recipe, try this 

Don’t let the main course steal the spotlight! Give sides and starters a chance with these simple yet delicious accompaniment dishes that deserve all the attention:

• Broccoli with ‘nduja
• Jalapeno and cheddar souffles 
• Indian spicy stuffed onions