If you need dinner on the table with zero delays, then a microwaved baked potato is pretty much an ideal solution. Here's the best way to do it.
Makes1 to 4 potatoesWe independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
If you need dinner on the table with zero delays, then a microwaved baked potato is pretty much an ideal solution. A single potato is ready in just over five minutes, and cooking a few more alongside hardly takes any longer. Topped with leftover chili or some simple steamed vegetables, this dinner staple couldn’t be quicker or easier.
Cooking More Than One Potato
Good ol’ russet potatoes will do the trick here. Any size will do, although larger potatoes might need an extra minute. Also, if you’re cooking more than one potato, try to get potatoes that are all roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate. This said, this isn’t a fussy technique, and if a smaller potato gets an extra minute of cooking time, no harm done.
This method is as straightforward as they come — put potatoes in microwave, then hit “start” — but there is one thing to be aware of: Don’t forget to poke holes in the potato. Use a fork and poke the potato four or five times on each side. These little holes allow steam to escape while the potato is cooking. Forget to poke, and your potato could end up exploding in your microwave from the pent-up steam. It’s both messy and a serious dinner let-down.
One downside to this speedy method is that the skin doesn’t get quite as crisp and roasted as oven-baked potatoes. It’s still great to eat on its own, but if you’re really craving that oven-roasted potato skin texture and flavor, then preheat the oven to 425°F while the potatoes are microwaving. Once they’re cooked through, transfer the potatoes to the oven until the skin is as crispy as you like it.
More Ways to Bake Your Potato
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How To Bake a Potato in the Microwave
If you need dinner on the table with zero delays, then a microwaved baked potato is pretty much an ideal solution. Here's the best way to do it.
Makes 1 to 4 potatoes
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1
to 4 russet potatoes
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Equipment
Fork
Microwave-safe plate or baking dish
Oven mitts
Instructions
Scrub the potatoes clean. Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water and pat them dry. You don't have to remove the eyes, but trim away any blemishes with a paring knife. Pat dry.
Pierce with a fork. Prick the potatoes four or five times on each side with a fork. This allows steam to escape from the baking potato.
Rub with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub the potatoes all over with a little olive oil. Generously sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper.
Microwave for 5 minutes. Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and microwave at full power for 5 minutes.
Flip the potatoes. Use a fork or tongs to flip the potatoes — they will be hot. If you remove the dish from the microwave, use oven mitts, as the dish will be hot.
Continue microwaving the potatoes. If cooking one potato, microwave for an additional 3 minutes. If cooking two or more potatoes, microwave an additional 5 minutes.
Check the potatoes. When done, the potatoes should be easily pierced with a fork or paring knife all the way to the center. Continue to microwave in 1-minute bursts as needed until the potatoes are cooked through. Use oven mitts to remove the dish from the microwave.
OPTIONAL — Crisp the potatoes in the oven. If you'd like crispier skin, heat the oven to 425°F while the potatoes are microwaving, then transfer them to the oven to roast. Check every few minutes and remove once the skin is dry and crisped.
Serve the potatoes. Let the potatoes cool briefly, then serve. Potatoes can also be cooled completely and refrigerated for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
Recipe Notes
Microwaving red and yellow potatoes: Since these potatoes are smaller and cook faster, reduce the microwaving time to 3 to 4 minutes per side, with additional 1-minute bursts as needed.
FAQs
All you need to know about microwaving potatoes
Potatoes take about 5-6 minutes in the microwave for a 1000w microwave. We recommend cutting the potato in half lengthwise for quick, even cooking. For lower wattage microwaves, add 1-2 more minutes of cook time for a fully cooked potato.
How long to microwave a potato wrapped in a wet paper towel? ›
Place the paper towel-wrapped potatoes in the microwave and microwave on high for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, using an oven mitt, squeeze the potatoes to test for doneness; if it gives, it's done. If it doesn't, microwave in 2-minute increments until soft, testing for doneness after each spell.
What is a disadvantage to cooking a baked potato in the microwave? ›
Cons: – Potatoes don't cook evenly; interior may have spots that aren't light and fluffy.
Should you wrap a potato before microwaving? ›
Try this some time: Buy the loose potatoes, and wash and pierce them with a fork a few times to keep them from bursting. Wrap a paper towel loosely around each potato and microwave. The towel absorbs some of the moisture when it bakes.
Do you need to poke holes in potatoes before microwaving? ›
Don't Forget to Poke
These little holes allow steam to escape while the potato is cooking. Forget to poke, and your potato could end up exploding in your microwave from the pent-up steam.
Can I put a potato in the microwave by itself? ›
Cook and Cut
Microwave for about 5 minutes, flip it over, and microwave it for about 5 more minutes. Let the potato cool for just a few minutes, until it's safe to handle. Cut the potato lengthwise so that it opens and forms a natural bowl.
Why do you put a paper towel in the microwave? ›
Most paper towels are microwave-safe. In fact, you can use a paper towel to cover some foods so they don't spit during cooking or reheating. If you do use a paper towel while microwaving, it's best to use shorter intervals so you can check both the food and the paper more frequently.
Why is my microwave baked potato hard? ›
The rapid heating can cause the granules to burst, and release sticky, gelatinized starch. The result: A gluey potato that's also often marred by hard nodules where the starch has crystallized.
Why do you wrap a paper towel in the microwave? ›
Paper towels allow steam to escape while they promote even heating and prevent spatters. Use paper towels to cover foods like bacon and sandwiches.
Is it better to cook a potato in the oven or microwave? ›
There are two main reasons to use a microwave to make a baked potato: Time. You shave off over 75% of the cook time for a baked potato if you microwave it rather than bake it. Instead of baking for an hour, the potato cooks for about 10 minutes (plus 10 minutes in the oven if you want crispy skin).
A microwaved potato can generally offer the same texture and flavor as an oven-baked potato, says Cameron, but you do need to keep certain things in mind. Below, experts share their top tips for making baked potatoes in the microwave. Quick tip: If crispy skin is a priority, try cooking baked potatoes in an air fryer.
What precaution should be taken when baking a potato in the microwave oven Why? ›
Pierce the skin in several places with a fork or knife. This allows moisture to escape. (Skip this step and you risk blowing up the potato all over your microwave!) Put the potato on a microwave-safe plate or paper towel.
Can you cook a potato in Saran wrap in the microwave? ›
So, I like to jumpstart the cooking process with the microwave. Clean and poke your potatoes as described above. Then, wrap 'em in plastic wrap and pop it into a microwave for 5 minutes. (If you use this trick a lot, you can even invest in or make a reusable potato sack.)
Do you have to poke holes in potatoes before baking? ›
A: I wouldn't recommend doing that. Your pokes will expose the potatoes to oxygen and the potatoes will turn black wherever the fork tines pierced the skins. It is very infrequent that a potato will burst from baking if you put it in the oven when you first turn it on so that it has a chance to come to temperature.
Can you microwave potatoes instead of boiling? ›
Place the cut potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl. Add enough water to cover the potatoes and a dash of salt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, poking holes in the wrap to vent. Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
Is there a potato button on a microwave? ›
Did you know most microwave ovens have a baked potato button? You just press the button for however many baked potatoes you have and they come out perfect every time.
How long do you microwave potatoes in plastic? ›
So, I like to jumpstart the cooking process with the microwave. Clean and poke your potatoes as described above. Then, wrap 'em in plastic wrap and pop it into a microwave for 5 minutes. (If you use this trick a lot, you can even invest in or make a reusable potato sack.)
