Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to ensure crispy skins and properly cooked interiors.

Thoroughly scrub the potatoes under cold water and pat them dry.

Poke several holes in each potato with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.

Rub each potato generously with olive oil. This helps create a crispy skin.

Season all sides of the potatoes with coarse salt to enhance flavor and texture.

If desired, create a bed of coarse salt on a baking sheet and place the potatoes on top. Alternatively, place the potatoes directly on the middle rack of the oven with a baking sheet below to catch drips.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender inside and the skins are crispy.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.

Cut a cross on the top of each potato and push the ends towards each other to open up the potato in a "bloom" style.

Fluff the inside with a fork to loosen the flesh.

Top each potato with a pat of butter, a dollop of sour cream, and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.

Offer additional toppings such as chives, cheese, bacon bits, and green onions for guests to customize their potatoes.