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10-minute microwave baked potatoes

February 17, 2015 By Kathryn

Microwave baked potatoes come out perfectly fluffy and tender every time – and only take about 10 minutes!Quick and easy microwave baked potatoes - they come out perfectly tender and fluffy every time! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

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!

Fast, easy microwave "baked" potatoes -- Come check out my tips for perfectly fluffy, tender potatoes every time! | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

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 fast microwave baked potatoes | FamilyFoodontheTable.comHow to make baked potatoes in the microwave | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

How to make microwave baked potatoes:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.)
  3. 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.
  4. 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!

Fast "baked" potatoes in the microwave | FamilyFoodontheTable.com

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

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Prep Time Cook Time 10 minutes Total Time 10 minutes
Serves 2     adjust servings

These easy microwave "baked" potatoes come out perfectly fluffy and tender every time!

Ingredients

  • 2 russet potatoes

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Microwave. The time depends on the number of potatoes and the size of your potatoes. See notes.
  3. 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!

4.2 5
5 reviews
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per ServingAs Served
Calories 194kcal Calories from fat 2
% Daily Value
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Sodium 12mg1%
Carbohydrate 44g15%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
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:

Calories2000
Total FatLess than65g
Sat FatLess than25g
CholesterolLess than300mg
SodiumLess than2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate300g
Dietary Fiber25g

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but I receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Fast cheesy chicken and broccoli twice-baked potatoes - a shortcut helps get this all-in-one dinner on the table faster! | FamilyFoodontheTable.comWant 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?!

Related Posts

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  • Turkey sloppy JoesTurkey sloppy Joes
  • Spicy sweet potato roundsSpicy sweet potato rounds
  • Veggie-stuffed potato skinsVeggie-stuffed potato skins
  • Paprika roasted potatoesPaprika roasted potatoes

Filed Under: Side dishes, Vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Maddie says

    December 28, 2016 at 2:10 PM

    This took way more than 10 minutes (more like 35) and not as fluffy as she says

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      December 28, 2016 at 6:44 PM

      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.

      Reply
      • Tonya says

        December 29, 2016 at 4:28 PM

        Possible microwave wattage difference?
        Older microwave verses newer?

        Reply
        • Kathryn says

          December 29, 2016 at 5:26 PM

          I thought/wondered that too Tonya! That’s a pretty major difference, but could be the issue.

          Reply
        • JAMES WINCHESTER says

          January 8, 2017 at 8:25 AM

          1000 watt or higher will cook any potato in 8 minutes.

          Reply
          • Kathryn says

            January 8, 2017 at 8:54 AM

            Excellent info – thanks James!

            Reply
    • JAMES WINCHESTER says

      January 8, 2017 at 8:24 AM

      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.

      Reply
      • Kathryn says

        January 8, 2017 at 8:55 AM

        I LOVE a big potato too 😊 Thanks for the info James – that’s helpful!

        Reply
  2. Cressa Collier says

    February 1, 2017 at 7:48 PM

    Worked perfect! Did 2 medium potatoes and one little one (for my 2 year old) 10 minutes and done! Thanks for posting!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      February 1, 2017 at 8:22 PM

      I’m so happy to hear that Cressa – thanks for sharing! These potatoes happen AT LEAST once a week in our house! 😊

      Reply
  3. Deborah says

    April 18, 2017 at 3:18 PM

    I do this too but I wrap each potato in a damp paper towel. Keeps them from drying out!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      April 19, 2017 at 6:24 AM

      Great tip Deborah! I’ve never felt like my potatoes dried out, but I’m gonna try this next time just to see!

      Reply
  4. Linda says

    January 30, 2018 at 1:24 AM

    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.

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      January 30, 2018 at 4:28 PM

      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!

      Reply
  5. JFA02 says

    February 5, 2018 at 6:59 PM

    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.

    Reply
    • Heather Pearson says

      March 4, 2018 at 9:13 AM

      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.

      Reply

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Hi there! I'm Kathryn, a health and nutrition editor, wife, mother of two little kids, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I've got lots of easy recipes and resources to help you get delicious family food on your table! Learn more about me.

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