No need to turn on the oven, this microwave baked potato recipe will give you a delightfully soft and fluffy potato in a fraction of the time! This classic side is creamy and full of flavor but requires minimal time and effort. Add your favorite toppings and you are ready to serve the best baked potatoes!
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💭 Why you'll love this recipe
- Time-saving recipe. Using a microwave instead of an oven cuts the cooking time in half without compromising the results. Want more microwave recipes? Check out microwave asparagus, microwave corn on the cob and more.
- Easy side dish. With only a handful of ingredients needed, this is the quickest way to make the perfect baked potato in a pinch.
- Absolutely delicious. This simple recipe results in a hot baked potato that's moist, soft, and fluffy inside. Add your favorite potato toppings and every flavorful bite will surely melt in your mouth!
📋 Ingredients and notes
To make this microwave baked potato recipe, you'll need potatoes, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. You'll also need a microwave, of course!
Notes and Variations
Kind of potato. Russet potatoes are the best and most commonly used potatoes in baking because they are a good size, high in starch, and bake with the fluffiest insides and crispy potato skins.
Size of your potato. Use medium-sized potatoes for the best results. If you are using larger potatoes, you might need to adjust the cooking time.
Potato toppings. Add your desired toppings such as butter, sour cream, chives, green onion, shredded cheddar cheese, or cottage cheese.
Microwave wattage. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and wattage of your microwave. If the potato isn't fully cooked after recommended cooking time, microwave it in 1-2 minute increments until it is tender.
📖 Make Microwave Baked Potato
Scrub the potato clean and pierce it several times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes.
Turn the potatoes over and microwave on high for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through and tender when pierced with a fork.
Remove them from the microwave and let them cool for a few minutes.
Cut open the potatoes and fluff the flesh with a fork.
Season with salt, pepper and add your desired toppings, such as butter, sour cream, chives, and shredded cheese.
👩🏽🍳 Tips for The Best Microwave Baked Potato!
To make the best microwave baked potato every time, make sure to follow these tips!
Soak the potatoes in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch. Excess starch can prevent the potatoes from cooking evenly and can create a sticky texture on the skin.
Don't skip piercing the potato with a fork. This step is important to help steam escape and get your potatoes really soft and moist up to the center. It can also prevent a potato explosion in your microwave.
For crispy skin, pop it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F. After cooking your potatoes in the microwave, place them on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can also use an air fryer.
Don't overcook. An overcooked baked potato will become dry and hard. If your potatoes have not reached your desired fluffiness after 5-6 minutes in the microwave, continue to cook them in 1-minute increments until they become soft and fluffy.
Let it cool. Let the potatoes rest and cool in the microwave for at least one minute before adding your favorite toppings.
👩🏽🍳 Troubleshooting FAQs
If the potato skin is getting too dry in the microwave, try wrapping it with a damp paper towel. This is the perfect solution to keep the skin moist while your potato becomes soft and fluffy throughout.
It depends on the size of your microwave and plate. You can microwave up to four potatoes at a time as long as they are lying flat on a single layer with a little space in between. You may need to add one minute for each extra potato that you add.
Yes, you can freeze microwave baked potatoes. Once they are completely cool, wrap them in foil and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Store it in the freezer for up to three months. Take note that the texture might become dry, so it's best to reheat it in the oven with a little oil.
🍴 Serve and store microwave baked potato
Serve this microwave baked potato as a quick side dish to your favorite main dish any day of the week. You can also level it up and make it into a potato salad, twice-baked potatoes, or add leftovers to your breakfast casserole!
Store for later, wrap the microwave potatoes in a foil or plastic wrap and then place it in a Ziploc bag or any airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheat, drizzle the potatoes with a little olive oil and then place it on a baking sheet. Place it in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes or until heated thoroughly. You can also microwave the potato for 2-3 minutes.
Microwave baked potato toppings:
I used some butter and chives as a simple topping but the options are endless. My favorite option includes these vegan loaded baked potatoes but you can also try some of these other amazing baked potato ideas as well.
- Mediterranean Delight: Roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, vegan feta cheese, and fresh parsley.
- Asian Fusion: Stir-fried tofu, steamed or microwave broccoli, sliced scallions, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of soy sauce or teriyaki glaze.
- BBQ Jackfruit Delight: Shredded BBQ jackfruit, sliced red onions, vegan coleslaw, and a drizzle of tangy BBQ sauce.
- Indian-inspired: Spiced chickpeas, roasted cauliflower florets, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a drizzle of yogurt raita.
- Caprese Classic: Sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, mozzarella cheese, and a balsamic glaze drizzle. Bake again for a gooey cheesy topping.
- Loaded Greek: Diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce.
- Tex-Mex Fiesta: Sautéed bell peppers and onions, black beans, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, diced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Creamy Pesto Dream: Creamy pesto sauce, roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of pine nuts.
🍴Other Microwave Recipes:
- Microwave asparagus
- Microwave corn on the cob
- Microwave broccoli
- Microwave sweet potato
- Microwave mashed potatoes
- Microwave scrambled eggs
- Microwave hard boiled eggs
Did you make this recipe?! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Please leave a comment and a star rating and let me know how it went! We love hearing from you, thank you so much
📖 Recipe
Microwave Baked Potato
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 3 potatoes, Russet preferred
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce it several times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes.
- Turn the potatoes over and microwave on high for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through and tender when pierced with a fork. Do this in 1-2 minute intervals to avoid overcooking the potatoes.
- Remove them from the microwave and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Cut open the potatoes and fluff the flesh with a fork.
- Season with salt, pepper and add your desired toppings, such as butter, sour cream, chives, or shredded cheese.
Notes
- Use Russet potatoes. They are high in starch and low in moisture, so you get a fluffy center and crispy skin.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the size and wattage of your microwave. If the potato isn't fully cooked after the recommended cooking time, continue to microwave it in 1-2 minute increments until it is tender.
- Soak the potatoes in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch. Excess starch can prevent the potatoes from cooking evenly and can create a sticky texture on the skin.
- Don't skip piercing the potato with a fork. This step is important to help steam escape and get your potatoes really soft and moist up to the center. It can also prevent a potato explosion in your microwave.
This is one of the very convenient baked potato recipes I've tried! It turned out perfectly soft and tasty. Kids loved it!
I'll never make a baked potato any other way again! I love that I didn't even have to turn my oven and. They were perfectly cooked, fluffy and delicious!
This is my go-to summer method for making baked potatoes. I can't be bothered with the oven for all that time, the microwave is so much easier!
This was so helpful! I've always disliked waiting so long for baked potatoes in the oven so this was a time saver! They were delicious too.
Your tip about soaking the potatoes blew my mind! I did that and then followed your instructions and the potatoes came out perfectly! I may or may not have added bacon 😉
very convenient and easy. never knew microwave baked will taste so good!
I was really yearning for a baked potato, but the thought of turning the oven on, on such a hot day really didn't appeal. I've always been dubious about how good they'd turn out in the microwave but these turned out perfect!