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Baked potatoes are a delicious side dish, but take way too long to make in the oven! But did you know you can make microwave baked potatoes in minutes?
Microwave Baked Potatoes
A baked potato is the perfect side for so many dinners – but I never think about making them until it’s too late to pop them into the oven. That’s why knowing how to make baked potatoes in the microwave in minutes is one of my favorite dinner time hacks!
Why You’ll Love this Microwave Baked Potato Recipe
Honestly, I shouldn’t even call microwave baked potatoes a recipe, but it is honestly a game changer for us. Using a microwave to bake your potatoes is a super quick way to get a hearty side on the table. Done in minutes, these are soft and tender with the absolute minimum effort possible. If you still want a crispy skin, just lather your baked potato up with some oil and salt and then bake at 400° for 10 minutes after microwaving. It’s a win-win.
What you’ll need for Baked Potatoes in Microwave
- Potatoes – Whatever variety and size you’d like.
- Microwave
How to Make a Baked Potato in the Microwave
- Wash your potatoes thoroughly.
- Stab each potato multiple times with a fork to allow steam to escape the potato while it cooks.
- Place on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 5 minutes.
- Turn the potatoes over and microwave for an additional 5 minutes.
- Test for doneness by gently squeezing the potato, it should feel soft. If it doesn’t feel soft, continue microwaving for 2 minutes and then checking again. Repeating as necessary.
- Once soft, remove from the microwave and cut down the center of the potato and gently press the sides of the potato to split it open.
- Top with butter, cheese, chives and any other toppings you’d like.
- For small potatoes, start with 3 minutes of microwaving on each side.
How long to microwave a Baked Potato
With a medium to large potato, start microwaving for 5 minutes. At the 5 minute mark, flip your potato for 5 more minutes.
Tips for making Baked Potatoes in the Microwave
- If your potato is done before you’re ready to eat it, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and a towel to keep it warm until you’re ready to serve.
- If you’re in a rush, choose a smaller potato to cut down on cook time.
What to Serve with Microwave Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are the perfect side for pretty much any entree! I typically serve them with some sort of chicken dish – but that’s just me!
How to Store Microwaved Baked Potatoes
We usually just eat our baked potatoes straight from the microwave. But if you have any leftover, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days.
How to Cook Baked Potato in Microwave FAQs
Yep! This microwave baked potato recipe doesn’t require you to wrap prior to baking it!
When you bake a potato in the microwave, the skin won’t have the crispy skin. However, you can still lather your baked potato with some oil and salt and then bake at 400° for 10 minutes after microwaving and achieve the desired texture.
Baking potatoes in the microwave is SO QUICK! So if you forget to throw some in an hour before dinner you can still have a fluffy, delicious side dish.
Yes, you can! That’s why after the 10 minute mark, I recommend microwaving for 2 minutes at a time and checking for doneness.
Nope! Just wash your potatoes, stab with a fork and pop in the microwave.
Other Side Dishes
How to Cook Baked Potato in Microwave
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized baking potatoes
Instructions
- Wash your potatoes thoroughly.
- Stab each potato multiple times with a fork to allow steam to escape the potato while it cooks.
- Place on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 5 minutes. For small potatoes, start with 3 minutes of microwaving on each side.
- Turn the potatoes over and microwave for an additional 5 minutes.
- Test for doneness by gently squeezing the potato, it should feel soft. If it doesn’t feel soft, continue microwaving for 2 minutes and then checking again. Repeating as necessary.
- Once baked, cut down the center of the potato and gently press the sides of the potato to split it open.
- Top with butter, cheese, chives and any other toppings you’d like.
