Microwave baked potatoes are the ultimate quick and easy side dish, delivering incredibly fluffy and tender results in just about 10 minutes!
Image: Two fluffy microwave baked potatoes served on a white plate, each topped with melting butter.
Growing up, microwave baked potatoes were a staple in my household. It honestly never crossed my mind that there was any other way to make them! It wasn’t until well into adulthood that I discovered the oven-baked potato method was even a thing. But for speed and ease, nothing beats the microwave.
Seriously, if you’re looking for a fast, foolproof way to get that classic baked potato experience, microwaving is the answer. These potatoes come out unbelievably fluffy, tender, and steaming hot – perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Forget preheating the oven and waiting an hour; with this method, you’re just minutes away from potato perfection.
(For those who love a crispy skin, air fryer baked potatoes are a fantastic alternative, offering a slightly faster cook time than the oven with that desirable crispiness, but still not as lightning-fast as the microwave!)
Baked potatoes are incredibly versatile. They’re the perfect accompaniment to countless main courses, or they can even take center stage themselves! Think cheesy chicken and broccoli baked potatoes or a hearty chicken hash over a fluffy potato – the possibilities are endless.
Plus, microwave baked potatoes are a family-friendly win. Everyone can customize their own with their favorite toppings, making them ideal for households with picky eaters or diverse tastes. I even use this microwave method to speed up the process for making loaded twice-baked potatoes, a particular favorite in my house.
So, are you ready to unlock the secret to speedy, fluffy baked potatoes? Let’s get started!
Below, I’ll share all my tips and tricks for achieving microwave baked potato perfection. I’ve made countless potatoes this way and want to equip you with all the details you need for success every time!
Image: Microwaved baked potatoes on a white platter garnished with fresh herbs, illustrating a simple and healthy side dish.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Microwave a Baked Potato
Making a baked potato in the microwave is incredibly simple. Follow these easy steps for perfect results:
- Scrub and Prick: Thoroughly scrub your potatoes under running water to remove any dirt. Then, using a fork, prick each potato 5-6 times, rotating it to ensure even steam release.
- Microwave Directly: Place the prepared potatoes directly onto the microwave plate or turntable. No need for wrapping or special containers!
- Microwave Timing: Microwave on high power. The exact cooking time will vary depending on the number and size of your potatoes, as well as your microwave’s wattage. See the timing guidelines below for more specific instructions.
- Check for Doneness: Once the timer goes off, use a towel or oven mitt to carefully handle the hot potato. Gently squeeze the sides. A perfectly cooked microwave baked potato will yield easily to pressure and feel soft. If it’s still firm, continue microwaving in one-minute increments until tender. If you are cooking multiple potatoes of different sizes, remove the cooked ones as they become tender and continue cooking the larger ones.
- Serve and Enjoy: Carefully slice open the hot potato, fluff the inside with a fork, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy your delicious microwave baked potato!
Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of microwave timing to ensure your potatoes are cooked just right.
How Long to Microwave a Potato? Microwave Time Guide
The key to a perfect microwave baked potato is nailing the cooking time. Here’s a general timing guide to get you started. Remember, these are starting points, and you may need to adjust slightly based on your microwave and potatoes.
- For 1 medium-sized russet potato: Begin with 5-6 minutes on high power.
- For 2 medium-sized russet potatoes: Start with 10-11 minutes on high power.
- For 4 medium-sized russet potatoes: Start with 15-16 minutes on high power.
If, after the initial cooking time, your potatoes are not yet tender when squeezed, simply return them to the microwave and cook for an additional minute or two at a time, checking for doneness after each interval.
For larger or extra-thick potatoes (like those you might find in restaurants), you’ll likely need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Just keep microwaving in one-minute increments until they are fully cooked.
While it’s not essential, flipping the potatoes halfway through the cooking time can help ensure even cooking, especially for larger potatoes. However, I often skip this step for convenience and still achieve great results.
(If you’re in the mood for sweet potatoes, check out this guide on microwave sweet potatoes! The cooking times are slightly different.)
Image: Close-up of a fluffy microwave baked potato, split open and topped with a pat of melting butter, highlighting its appetizing texture.
Now for the best part – loading up your perfectly cooked microwave baked potato with delicious toppings!
Delicious Baked Potato Topping Ideas
Let your creativity shine and explore a world of flavors with these topping suggestions:
- Classic Staples: Butter, sour cream or Greek yogurt, salt and pepper.
- Cheesy Delights: Shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese, feta cheese, or goat cheese.
- Savory & Meaty: Crumbled cooked bacon, chili, pulled pork, or shredded beef.
- Fresh & Herbal: Chopped chives, fresh herbs like parsley or dill, green onions.
- Fresh & Cool: Guacamole or diced avocado, salsa or pico de gallo.
- Spicy Kick: Hot sauce, sriracha, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Flavor Boosters: Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite seasoning blends.
The topping combinations are truly limitless!
One of the things I love most about baked potatoes is their natural portion control. It’s easy to go overboard with pasta or rice, but a whole baked potato feels like a satisfying and complete serving.
And I’m definitely in the camp of eating the entire potato – skin and all! Just like my dad, I’m a true potato enthusiast, and these microwave baked potatoes absolutely hit the spot.
I truly hope you give this microwave baked potato method a try. It’s a game-changer for quick and easy dinners, delivering consistently perfect, fluffy potatoes every time.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my free e-newsletter to receive my e-cookbook filled with 10 easy weeknight dinner recipes!
P.P.S. This is my all-time favorite potato scrubber – a kitchen essential that makes potato prep a breeze!
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Ingredients
- 1-4 medium russet potatoes
Optional toppings:
- Salt and pepper; butter, Greek yogurt or sour cream; shredded cheese, blue cheese, or feta or goat cheese; crumbled bacon; chopped chives or fresh herbs; hot sauce or sriracha; avocado or guac; salsa or pico de gallo; paprika or other seasonings, etc.
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes. Poke each potato 5-6 times with a fork. Place potatoes directly onto the microwave plate.
- Microwave on high.
- For 1 medium-sized potato, start with 5-6 minutes.
- For 2 medium-sized potatoes, start with 10-11 minutes microwave time.
- For 4 potatoes, start with 15-16 minutes in the microwave.
- When the time is up, get a towel or oven mitt and gently squeeze the sides of the potato. If it gives without resistance and starts to open up, it’s ready. If it still seems a bit firm, return to the microwave for another minute at a time until tender.
- Remove from the microwave carefully (use an oven mitt to protect your hands), then slice open, fluff the potato and add any desired toppings. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- If your potatoes are different sizes, they may cook at slightly different rates. Remove the tender ones as they finish cooking and continue microwaving the larger potatoes.
- Flipping potatoes is not necessary, but can aid even cooking for larger potatoes.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2
Serving Size:
1 potato
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
