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Microwave baked potatoes come out perfectly fluffy and tender every time – and only take about 10 minutes!
I’ve always had baked potatoes this way, made in the microwave. It never occurred to me growing up that they aren’t actually “baked.”
I was well past college, well into my adult years before I ever realized that not everyone made potatoes this way.
But everyone should!
These potatoes are perfectly fluffy and tender and steamy and so delicious! And they are ready to go in about 10 minutes. 🙌
Which is perfect because who has time to heat up an oven and let a couple of potatoes roast for an hour?!
Potatoes are a great pairing for so many dinners. Or they can be the main event at dinner, as in my cheesy chicken and broccoli baked potatoes or chicken hash over baked potatoes.
Plus, everyone can fix their microwave baked potato just as they please, so they work well for families with different tastes (aka picky eaters).
How to make microwave baked potatoes:
- Scrub the potatoes and poke each potato 5-6 times with a fork – I do it a few times on each side. Place potatoes directly onto the microwave plate.
- The time depends on the number of potatoes and the size of your potatoes. For 2 medium-sized potatoes, start with 10 minutes of microwave time. (For 4 potatoes, start with 15 minutes. For just 1 potato, start with 5 to 6 minutes.)
- When the time is up, get a towel or oven mitt and gently squeeze the sides of the potato. If it gives without resistance and starts to open up, it’s ready. If it still seems a bit firm, microwave for another minute at a time until tender. If your potatoes are different sizes, remove the ones that are tender and continue cooking only the ones that need additional time.
- Carefully cut open your potato, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Some topping ideas include: butter, sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese or feta or goat cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, chives or fresh herbs, guacamole, salsa – so many possibilities!
Any way you serve them, I love that potatoes are perfectly portion controlled. I tend to get a bit crazy when piling pasta or rice on my plate, but a potato? The whole thing is mine.
(I love when I don’t have to share!)
And I’m one of those people who eats the entire potato, skin and all. I take after my dad that way. I’m a serious potato lover, and these microwave baked potatoes measure up beautifully. 👌
I hope you give these a try – they make dinner so easy and you end up with perfect, fast microwave “baked” potatoes every time.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. You can sign up for my free e-newsletter and get my free e-cookbook with 10 easy weeknight dinners!
P.P.S. This is my favorite potato scrubber (and it’s less than $5!)
10-minute baked potatoes
These easy microwave "baked" potatoes come out perfectly fluffy and tender every time!
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes. Poke each potato 5-6 times with a fork - I do it a few times on each side. Place potatoes directly onto the microwave plate.
- Microwave. The time depends on the number of potatoes and the size of your potatoes. See notes.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
For 1 medium-sized potato, start with 5 minutes. When the time is up, get a towel or oven mitt and gently squeeze the sides of the potato. If it gives without resistance and starts to open up, it's ready. If it still seems a bit firm, microwave for another minute at a time until tender.
For 2 medium-sized potatoes, start with 10 minutes microwave time. Do the squeeze test and then add a minute or two as needed, until tender.
For 4 potatoes, start with 15 minutes. Do the squeeze test and add another minute or two as needed.
I love this vegetable scrubber from OXO. Bonus: it's less than $5!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 194kcal Calories from fat 2 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Sodium 12mg | 1% |
| Carbohydrate 44g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 12% |
| Sugars 2g | |
| Protein 5g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
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Want to make it a meal? Try my fast cheesy chicken and broccoli twice-baked potatoes – an all-in-one meal that everyone will love!
How high can YOU stuff them?!
This took way more than 10 minutes (more like 35) and not as fluffy as she says
Yikes! I wouldn’t put anything in the microwave for 35 minutes! I’ve made this hundreds of times and for 2 small to medium potatoes, 10-11 minutes is all I need. Even with 4 medium to large potatoes, they’re usually all done in 15 minutes. Sorry yours didn’t work out – not sure what happened there.
Possible microwave wattage difference?
Older microwave verses newer?
I thought/wondered that too Tonya! That’s a pretty major difference, but could be the issue.
1000 watt or higher will cook any potato in 8 minutes.
Excellent info – thanks James!
I use LARGE( almost a pound each) potatoes, 4 minutes then turn potato over, 4 minutes more, leave in microwave another minute or so, perfect. 1250 watt Panasonic.
I LOVE a big potato too 😊 Thanks for the info James – that’s helpful!
Worked perfect! Did 2 medium potatoes and one little one (for my 2 year old) 10 minutes and done! Thanks for posting!
I’m so happy to hear that Cressa – thanks for sharing! These potatoes happen AT LEAST once a week in our house! 😊
I do this too but I wrap each potato in a damp paper towel. Keeps them from drying out!
Great tip Deborah! I’ve never felt like my potatoes dried out, but I’m gonna try this next time just to see!
I’ve done potatoes in the microwave, the oven, and the crockpot. I’ve even cut them in half lengthway and baked them in a toaster oven. I’ve baked red potatoes and white potatoes. I’ve baked them wrapped in foil and not wrapped. Baking in the oven, wrapped or unwrapped, is the only way to get the fluffy texture, we all love.
Sounds like you are a potato lover like me! I do adore a baked potato in the oven, but I also really love the microwave version and mine always turn out so tender and fluffy – plus it saves me so much time!
I keep trying to cook a baked potato in the microwave but the center of my potato always comes out hard, even if it’s hot. I don’t know if I am cooking it to long or to short I have tried both ways.
It sounds to me like your microwave is either too low, or you aren’t cooking it long enough. Either way, I’d advise cooking a couple of minutes, then allowing the part of the potato that was actually heated (about a centimeter to an inch in) to heat up the middle for about a minute. Simply repeat till your potato is done. I hope this solves your problem.
From a very old lady who was microwaving potatoes when microwaves were still 3 feet wide:
Scrub it very thoroughly, let it get wet; take a big gob of butter and rub it in thoroughly; do NOT EVER poke it!! (drys it out); wrap it in about 18″ WAX paper, yes a long piece so you can roll it; twist the ends hard, then microwave according to size and number of potatoes. Moist moist moist!!
I’ll definitely have to give it a try this way Joyce! 😊