I don’t care what anyone says–a steaming hot potato is one of the best comfort foods out there.
Baked potatoes are an absolute classic, and mastering the microwave-baked potato is the best way to enjoy this simple side dish in a lot less time. It’s a surprisingly easy recipe that only takes 10 minutes. Whether you’re looking to make a baked potato side dish or a main course loaded up with your favorite toppings, you can forget the lengthy cooking methods required with oven-baked potatoes. This microwave method is so straightforward, you’ll kick yourself for ever doing it any other way.
I love having the ability to cook a potato in no time with minimal effort and clean up. No baking sheet. No oven mitts. Most importantly, I don’t have to turn my oven on! In a few simple steps, you can cook a perfect baked potato in the microwave. Russet potatoes are my go-to for their affordability, but any kind of potato will work! If your potato is a little smaller, keep in mind that your cook time may be shorter.
Why This Microwaved Baked Potato Recipe Works
- Speedy and Super Simple: When it comes to quick and easy side dishes, this microwaved baked potato recipe takes the cake – or should I say, the potato! The total time you’ll spend in the cooking process is astonishingly short. Just 30 seconds of prep and a few minutes in the microwave oven, and voilà, you have the best baked potatoes in not much time at all.
- Energy Efficient and Time-Saving: One of my favorite things about this recipe is how it elegantly sidesteps the lengthy preheating time of a traditional oven. Using the microwave saves both energy and time, making it an ideal method for those days when every minute counts. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good baked potato that’s also a quick baked potato?
- Easy Clean-Up and Kid-Friendly: Clean-up is a breeze – no scrubbing pans or dealing with a hot oven. Plus, it’s so straightforward that it’s a great way to get the little ones involved in the kitchen. They’ll be thrilled to learn how to cook their own microwaved potatoes.
- Delicious Results Every Time: You might think, “Well, the only problem with this recipe is… my potatoes won’t have the crispy skin of an oven-baked potato.” You’d be wrong! You CAN get crispy potato skins with microwaved potatoes! (Read the FAQs below to find out how!) And the inside of these microwave-baked potatoes will also be just as fluffy and delicious.
Ingredients For this Microwaved Baked Potato Recipe
- Large Potato
- Butter
- Salt
How to Cook a Baked Potato in the Microwave
- Rinse and scrub potato
- Using a fork, poke potato 5-6 times to make holes to let the steam escape
- Place potato on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 5 minutes
- Remove from microwave, flip, and continue to microwave on high in one minute intervals until potato is cooked all the way through
- Remove potato from microwave, cut in half, top with butter, sprinkle with salt and black pepper. If you want it loaded, add your favorite potato toppings like green onions, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, or even a dollop of sour cream!
Clean your potato really well before cooking it. Use cool water and scrub with your hands or a vegetable brush to get all of the dirt off. Poke enough holes in your potato to allow steam to escape. This will prevent a potato explosion from happening inside of your microwave.
FAQs
Can more than one potato be cooked in the microwave?
Yes! To cook four potatoes in the microwave, place them all in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for five minutes. Use tongs to flip potatoes over and continue to microwave for an additional five minutes. After the potatoes have cooked for 10 minutes total, remove from the microwave and check them for doneness with a fork. Keep microwaving the potatoes in one-minute intervals until they are cooked through to your liking.
How to make potato skin crispy?
Before microwaving, use your hands or a brush to coat the skin of the potato with olive and salt. This will help it crisp up as it cooks, but keep in mind that microwaves are a bit like steamers, so the end result won’t be super crispy. You can also preheat your oven to 400F and bake until he skin becomes crispy. Make sure to keep an eye on your potato while it’s in the oven so it doesn’t burn.
How should I store leftover baked potatoes?
If you have leftover microwaved baked potatoes, the best way to store them is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps to maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out. Properly stored, they can last for 3-5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat them in the microwave or oven.
Baked Potato in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 russet potato large
- 2 tbsp butter
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Rinse and scrub potato
- Using a fork, poke potato 5-6 times to make holes for steam to escape through
- Place potato in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes
- Remove from microwave, flip, and continue to microwave on high in one minute intervals until potato is cooked all the way through
- Remove potato from microwave, cut in half, top with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper, enjoy!
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comment section! I always appreciate your feedback and I know other readers do, too!
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Great
I loved it, it was perfect!