Microwave baked potatoes are a real time saver! If you've never baked potatoes in the microwave or are new to cooking, this recipe is for you. We'll show you the easiest way to bake a potato, how to get the right texture with fluffy insides, how to keep your potatoes from exploding or catching fire (yikes!).
These quick baked potatoes are perfect in a pinch, especially if you're vegetarian or gluten free. We can also show you how to cook them in the oven (or convection oven), toaster oven, air fryer, instant pot, crock pot or on the grill. Or, if you like roast potatoes, check out Andrea's crispy roasted potatoes.
BAKED POTATO INGREDIENTS
You only need one ingredient for these easy baked potatoes, and you may already have it in your pantry. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.
- Potatoes: We recommend Russet potatoes (also called Idaho potatoes) because they are low in moisture and high in starch, which makes them perfect for baking.
- OIl: Use a high heat oil like vegetable oil or avocado oil.
- Salt: Don't skip the salt!
- Toppings: Shredded cheese, butter, sour cream, chives, bacon or whatever you prefer!
LOADED BAKED POTATOES
Gather your favorite baked potato toppings and create a baked potato bar that everyone in your family will love. Here are some of our favorite flavor combos:
- Loaded Classic – Cheddar cheese, dollop of sour cream, green onions and a sprinkle of bacon bits (optional).
- Loaded Chili – Easy chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions and/or avocado.
- Broccoli Cheddar – Parmesan roasted broccoli and melted cheddar cheese.
- Southwestern – Pico de gallo or salsa, corn, black beans, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado (or guacamole).
- Lox - Smoked salmon, chives, cream cheese
- Goat Cheese and Herbs - Mix together goat cheese, olive oil, parsley, shallots and lemon zest. - Fajita chicken, bell peppers, onion, cilantro lime sour cream and shredded cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
If you'd like to print this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card where you can print the recipe or have it scaled to double or triple. You'll also find nutrition information.
CLEAN POTATOES: Scrub potatoes to get all dirt off the skin of the potato. Pat dry.
POKE POTATOES: Poke potatoes 6-8 times with a fork to vent the potato.
ADD OIL AND SALT: Brush (or use your hands to rub) oil on the outside of each potato. Sprinkle the potato with coarse salt.
MICROWAVE: Place in the microwave on a paper towel. Cook for 5 minutes.
🔴 TIP: Cooking times may vary based on potato size; smaller potatoes cook faster than large ones. Overcooking potatoes will cause them to catch fire in the microwave, so it is better to cook for a shorter time and check the potato than to cook for too long.
CHECK FOR SOFTNESS: Check to see if the potatoes are cooked through by poking with a fork. If the fork inserts into the potato easily the potatoes are cooked. If there is resistance and they are still a bit hard, cover again and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes and check again.
SERVE: When the potato is cooked through, cut a slit down the center of the top of the potato skin. Use a fork or knife to fluff up the potato in the center. Top with your favorite baked potato toppings, including butter, shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives or chili.
MORE WAYS TO BAKE A POTATO
You can bake a potato in a toaster oven, convection oven, conventional oven, air fryer, instant pot, grill, or crockpot.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are pros and cons to each method. Oven cooking takes longer but is ideal for getting brown, crispy skin. Microwaving does not crisp the same as an oven but it does the job in a fraction of the time.
While microwaving does not directly destroy nutrients in the potatoes, exposure to heat and water can affect certain vitamins. However, potassium, an essential mineral, is not affected by microwave cooking.
It is very important NOT TO cover potatoes in the microwave, especially with aluminum foil. Putting tin foil in the microwave is dangerous and will cause it to spark.
A fully cooked baked potato should be 210ºF when a thermometer is inserted into the center. Another way to check if potatoes are fully cooked is to poke the potatoes with a fork. If your potatoes are still firm, continue cooking until a fork inserts easily into the center of the potatoes.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 potatoes
Instructions
Scrub potatoes to get all dirt off the skin of the potato. Pat dry.
Poke potatoes 6-8 times with a fork to vent the potato.- Place in the microwave on a paper towel. Cook for 5 minutes.
Check to see if the potatoes are cooked through by poking with a fork. If the fork inserts into the potato easily the potatoes are cooked. If there is resistance and they are still a bit hard, cover again and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes and check again.
Notes
- Overcooking potatoes in the microwave will cause your microwave to set on fire. It is better to cook and check the potato then cook longer than to set the timer for too long.
- When the potato is cooked through, cut a slit down the center of the top of the potato skin. Use a fork or knife to fluff up the potato in the center. Top with your favorite baked potato toppings, including butter, shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives or chili.
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