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Baked potatoes are a classic dinner side dish and can be turned into the main dish themselves!  This recipe for Microwave Baked Potatoes will give you the perfectly cooked and fluffy baked potato in a fraction of the time the oven takes.

closeup of a baked potato with a slab of butter on top.
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The Baked Potato has been a classic side dish for years. Not just a side dish, potatoes have been main dish for just as long, like my Baked Cheesy Ranch Potatoes or my Cheesy Broccoli Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes

Baked Potatoes go great with steak, chicken or pork and are a filling side to any meal. The only downfall is that baked potatoes in the oven take close to an hour to make.

Well, if you use a microwave, you can have a perfect baked potato in under 10 minutes! Just follow this recipe and you can make a great side dish as well!

three baked potatoes on a white serving plate with butter.

How to make Microwave Baked Potatoes:

This recipe is very easy to make. While I only used one for this recipe just follow the directions for however many potatoes you need to make.

Scrub the potatoes and let them dry. Poke plenty of holes in the potato, and then microwave.

ingredients for the baked potatoes.

Ingredients:

  • Russet Potatoes – I love Russet Potatoes, but you can use Yukon for this if you prefer.
  • Butter – This is for topping the potatoes after they are cooked.
  • Salt – add to the potato once it has been sliced open.
  • Pepper – add to the potato once it has been sliced open.

top-down view of 3 baked potatoes on white plate.

Directions:

Step One – Wash potato then use a fork to prick your potato several times

poking potatoes with a fork before cooking.

Step Two – Place prepared potato on a microwave-safe plate and place into the microwave.

Step Three – Cook 1 potato for 4 minutes on each side for a total of 8 minutes.

Cook 2 potatoes for 5 minutes on each side for a total of 10 minutes.

Cook 3 potatoes for 6 minutes on each side for a total of 12 minutes.

preparing baked potatoes with butter and salt and pepper.

Step Four – Carefully remove potatoes from the microwave. The plate and potatoes will be very hot.

Recipe Tip

You may need to use an oven mitt when removing these from the microwave.

Step Five – Slice potato down the middle serve with butter and season with salt and pepper.

closeup of the microwave baked potatoes.

What are the best potatoes for Baked Potatoes?

Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes or baking potatoes, are the best for baking.

The best Russet potatoes are ones that are evenly shaped and firm. Ones with a lot of eyes growing or spot spots are not good to use. You can use Yukon Gold potatoes if you do not have Russet potatoes.

closeup of a baked potatoes topped with sour cream.

Will a microwaved bake potato have crispy skin?

One drawback to microwaving baked potatoes is that the skin does not get crispy as a baked potato in the oven would. While the inside will be soft and fluffy, you can easily crisp up the skin with just a little extra time.

To crisp the skin of a microwaved baked potato, follow these steps.

  1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Using a cooking brush, brush oil over the skin of the potato.
  3. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes to get the skin crispy.
using a fork to fluff the baked potatoes.

Try some of my other favorite potato recipes:

Slow Cooker Baked PotatoThe easiest side dish or a perfect lunch. No work for you because these Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes are wrapped up in seasonings and in the slow cooker for hours. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Twice Baked PotatoesThese Twice Baked Potatoes are the one of the BEST side dish recipes ever. They are creamy and fluffy and loaded with flavor.

World’s Best Mashed PotatoesThis is a recipe you will want to try! The World’s Best Mashed Potatoes, simple to make and of course tastes amazing! Make sure to give this recipe a try asap!

eating the baked potato with a fork.

If you tried any of my recipes, I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH

Microwave Baked Potato

Microwave Baked Potato

Baked potatoes are a classic dinner side dish and can be turned into the main dish themselves!  This recipe for Microwave Baked Potatoes will give you the perfectly cooked and fluffy baked potato in a fraction of the time the oven takes.
Prep: 3 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Servings: 1
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Ingredients 

  • 1 medium russet potato

Optional for Serving

  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions 

  • Wash potato then use a fork to prick your potato several times.
  • Place prepared potato on a microwave-safe plate and place into the microwave.
  • Cook 1 potato for 4 minutes on each side for a total of 8 minutes.
    Cook 2 potatoes for 5 minutes on each side for a total of 10 minutes.
    Cook 3 potatoes for 6 minutes on each side for a total of 12 minutes.
  • Carefully remove potatoes from the microwave. The plate and potatoes will be very hot.
  • Slice potato down the middle serve with butter and season with salt and pepper.

Notes

Cooking Tip: You may need to use an oven mitt when removing these from the microwave.
What are the best potatoes for Baked Potatoes?
Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes or baking potatoes, are the best for baking.
The best Russet potatoes are ones that are evenly shaped and firm. Ones with a lot of eyes growing or spot spots are not good to use.
Will a microwaved bake potato have crispy skin?
One drawback to microwaving baked potatoes is that the skin does not get crispy as a baked potato in the oven would. While the inside will be soft and fluffy, you can easily crisp up the skin with just a little extra time.
To crisp the skin of a microwaved baked potato, follow these steps.
  1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Using a cooking brush, brush oil over the skin of the potato.
  3. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes to get the skin crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg
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About Jennie

I'm Jennie!ย I'm a busy mom of three and I love cooking and sharing easy recipes. From slow cooker meals to casseroles all my recipes are simple to make and ones the entire family will love.

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