Concept:
Most metal nitrates decompose on heating to give metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen. However, alkali metal nitrates, except lithium nitrate, give nitrites and oxygen.
Step 1: General decomposition of many nitrates.
\[
M(NO_3)_2 \rightarrow MO + NO_2 + O_2
\]
Step 2: Exception for alkali metal nitrates.
Potassium nitrate decomposes as:
\[
2KNO_3 \rightarrow 2KNO_2 + O_2
\]
It does not give potassium oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
Step 3: Choose the exception.
Hence, potassium nitrate is the correct answer.