How to Cook Potatoes in the Microwave

Learn how to cook potatoes in the microwave, and have fluffy, tender “baked” potatoes on the table in just 10 minutes. It’s baked potato magic. Just follow a few simple steps and get perfect potatoes every time.

It’s funny because I often think of this process as baking a potato in the microwave, since the end result is essentially a delicious, fluffy “baked” potato.

But, it actually isn’t baked at all!

That’s why I decided to be more accurate by answering the question: How to cook potatoes in the microwave.

Semantics.

Cook? Bake? Zap?

Whatever you want to call it, the end result is a warm, perfectly textured potato that’s ready to eat — in minutes!

Also, even though I am now the proud mom of two amazing little ones, and I therefore have a family to feed every night, this recipe is one that I used to rely on ALL THE TIME when I was single. Because, well, you can pop a single potato into the microwave, zap it, and then load it with your favorite toppings and — voila! — dinner for one is done!

But, even though cooking potatoes in the microwave is super easy for a single lady lunch (or dinner), it’s also easy enough to scale it up and make potatoes for the whole family. Yes — POTATOES FOR ALL.

How to Cook Potatoes in the Microwave

Step 1: Select your potato. For a classic baked potato, you’re going to want to use russet potatoes. I opt for medium-sized potatoes, and when cooking a bunch together, I try to make sure they’re all roughly the same size, to keep cooking times even. But, if you have potatoes of different sizes, don’t worry. See the “notes” section below.

Step 2: Clean your potatoes. Wash your potatoes in the sink using a potato scrubber, making sure to scrub off any dirt.

Step 3: Poke your potatoes! This is an important step. If you don’t poke some holes in the potato skin, your potatoes might explode in the microwave, which is messy and not what we want to have happen. So, using a fork, I like to poke each potato about 3 or 4 times on each side.

Step 4: Prep your potatoes. I love eating all parts of the potato — including the skin. That means getting the outside of the potato coated in olive oil, and sprinkled with some course sea salt and pepper.

Step 5: Pop ’em in the microwave. Place your potatoes on a microwave-safe plate or or in a microwave-safe casserole dish.

Step 6: Cook your potatoes. Microwave your potatoes for 5 minutes on High or Full Power. Then, using tongs, flip the potatoes and continue microwaving the potatoes:

• 1 potato: microwave for an additional 3 minutes
• 2 – 4 potatoes: microwave for an additional 5 minutes

Step 7: Squeeze or poke your potatoes. When done, your potatoes should be easy to poke with a fork or knife, or easy to squeeze with a towel or oven mitt. If any of your potatoes are still firm, simply cook on High for an additional minute at a time until the desired texture is achieved.

Step 8: Top your potatoes and enjoy! Slice the “baked” potatoes in half, give them a squeeze to fluff them up a bit, and then add your favorite toppings, like butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon bits, and chopped chives.

NOTES

• Potato sizes. If you’re cooking potatoes of varying sizes, don’t fret. That just means that when you check your potatoes after your first cook cycle, you can pull out any of the smaller ones, and then continue to cook the larger ones. Or, if the smaller ones accidentally get a tad overcooked, it really isn’t a big deal. This is a very forgiving cooking process.
• Dietary restrictions. Without the toppings, this recipe is naturally vegetarian and vegan, and free of the Top 8 allergens. Just top with soy-free Earth Balance buttery spread and some chopped green onions and — Yum! If you’re on a special diet like Paleo or Whole30, just watch your toppings. But the potato itself is good to go!

Favorite Baked Potato Toppings

• Butter or dairy-free buttery spread
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Blue cheese, crumbled
• Bacon, crumbled
• Green onions, chives

Or, you know, you could get even more wild and top your baked potatoes with a scoop of chili! Baked potatoes are really a blank canvas for all sorts of toppings experimentation, so get creative!

Baked Potato Bar

This is especially a fan favorite for families with young kids. But, it’s also a great idea for large gatherings. To set it up, bake (or “bake”) a bunch of potatoes, and then set out bowls with various toppings, so everyone can create their own baked potato masterpiece. Include some proteins, some veggies, and some other fun toppings and turn the usual baked potato side dish into the main event! It’s a fun and filling way to get a quick and easy meal on the table that can easily scale for a crowd.

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10 Minute Microwave Baked Potatoes

Yield: 2 - 4 potatoes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Get perfect "baked" potatoes on the table in roughly 10 minutes using your microwave!

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Ingredients

• 2-4 medium-sized russet potatoes
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• sea salt & pepper, sprinkle

Toppings (Optional)

• butter
• sour cream
• cheddar cheese, shredded
• bacon, crumbled
• chives, chopped

Instructions

1. Wash the potatoes and then coat with olive oil, sea salt and pepper.
2. Place in the microwave on a microwave-safe dish and cook on High for 5 minutes. Then, flip them over and continue cooking: for 1 potato, cook for an additional 3 minutes; for 2 to 4 potatoes, cook for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Give the potatoes a poke or squeeze to check if they're tender. If any are still firm, continue to cook those potatoes for an additional one minute at a time until done.
4. OPTIONAL: To crisp up the skin, you can place them in a preheated, 425℉ oven after they're fully cooked in the microwave. Bake for an additional few minutes until the desired crispiness is reached.
5. OPTIONAL: Slice the potatoes open and top with your favorite toppings, like butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chives.

Nutrition Information

Yield 4 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 298Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 25mgSodium 313mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 4gSugar 2gProtein 9g

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