Yes, you can bake the potatoes the day before and reheat them in crockpots for your baked potato bar lunch. Here's how to do it successfully.

Day before:

1. Scrub, oil, and salt the potatoes if desired.
2. Bake at 400°F for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on size, until they’re fork-tender.
3. Let them cool slightly, then refrigerate them overnight. You can wrap them in foil or store them in a sealed container to prevent drying out.

Morning of the event:

1. Unwrap and place the potatoes in the crockpot. You can layer them.
2. Add a damp paper towel or a small splash of water to keep them from drying out.
3. Set the crockpot to low for about 2 to 3 hours before lunch. Switch to warm once they’re heated through.

Optional tip: brushing the skins with oil or butter before reheating helps keep them moist and flavorful.

Don't cut the potatoes open before reheating since that can cause them to dry out. If you have more than one crockpot, divide the batch between them to warm more evenly.