• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Meals » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Easy Microwave Baked Potato

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jun 28, 2021 · Modified: Jun 28, 2021 by Dee

    This Easy Microwave Baked Potato recipe makes soft, fluffy potatoes with crispy skins in minutes. Perfect for loaded baked potatoes or a quick side dish when you don't have time to bake or air fry your spuds! via @meamelThis Easy Microwave Baked Potato recipe makes soft, fluffy potatoes with crispy skins in minutes. Perfect for loaded baked potatoes or a quick side dish when you don't have time to bake or air fry your spuds! via @meamel

    This Easy Microwave Baked Potato recipe makes soft, fluffy potatoes with crispy skins in minutes. Perfect for loaded baked potatoes or a quick side dish on busy nights when you don't have time to bake or air fry your spuds!

    Jump to Recipe -
    microwaved russet potato with sour cream, bacon, broccoli and cheese on white plate with parsley
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Best Potatoes
    • Size Matters
    • How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Microwave
    • How to Clean
    • How Long to Cook
    • How to Get Crispy Skins
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    There's nothing like a thick, juicy steak served with a baked potato, right?! But oven-baked potatoes take an hour to make, and who has time for that -- especially in the summer? Growing up, we always made baked potatoes in the microwave instead of the oven, and it's still my favorite way to make a quick baked potato!

    In addition to potatoes, I also cook broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans and sweet potatoes in the microwave. They all come out perfectly cooked every time!

    Even though I also like to make baked potatoes in the Instant Pot, microwaved baked potatoes are much faster. All you do is set the timer, hit start, and you have the best soft, fluffy baked potatoes in just a few minutes!

    2 baked russet potatoes on white plates with cheese and sour cream

    Ingredients

    You only need one ingredient and a few household items to make baked potatoes in your microwave:

    • 4 russet potatoes or how many you need
    • Olive oil -- for crispy skins (optional)
    • Sea salt -- for flavor
    • Fork -- to poke holes in potato
    • Kitchen brush -- to clean the potatoes
    • Microwave safe plate
    • Foil -- to cover after cooking
    • Oven mitt -- to hold the hot plate
    • Pair of tongs -- to handle the hot potato

    Best Potatoes

    First of all, we're using russet potatoes, also known as Idaho or "baking" potatoes. I think these make the best baked potatoes. You can find them in 3 sizes -- large, medium and small.

    When picking out potatoes, look for ones that are as even and firm as possible. Avoid ones with bruises or cuts or soft spots.

    Size Matters

    I usually go for the medium potatoes, which are about 4 to 5 inches long. These are perfect as a side dish. If I use the really large ones, I cut them in half before serving -- They're huge!

    large medium and small russet potatoes on a wooden board

    How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Microwave

    Like I said, cooking potatoes in the microwave is super easy. But, there are a few tricks to getting soft, fluffy microwave baked potatoes that are evenly cooked without hard spots.

    How to Clean

    First, you want to scrub the potatoes well. The best way to do this is with a kitchen brush under cold running water. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel. Note, that you can use a wet paper towel to scrub the potatoes if you don't have a brush.

    Next, use a fork to poke holes all over the potato, about 5 times each. This helps steam escape when cooking.

    Then, set the potatoes evenly on microwave-safe plate, and place in the microwave. No need for plastic wrap or any covers. Now, you're ready to cook 'em!

    scrubbed russet potatoes on white plate

    How Long to Cook

    How long it takes to cook baked potatoes in the microwave depends on how many you're cooking and how large they are. The cook time also varies depending upon the wattage of your microwave.

    The best way to cook potatoes evenly is to cook for just a few minutes per side, instead of cooking for, say, 10 minutes at once.

    Flip the potatoes over, cook for another few minutes, and check for doneness. You should be able to easily stick a fork into the potatoes when done.

    • Small potatoes (4 inches) — 4 minutes per side for a total of 8 minutes
    • Medium potatoes (5 inches) — 5 minutes per side for a total of 10 minutes
    • Large potatoes (6 inches or more) — 15 minutes total. You may have to turn the potatoes 3 times.

    If you're only cooking one medium potato, try cooking it for 3 minutes on one side and 2 minutes on the other side. If you have 2 medium potatoes, 8 minutes total works well for us.

     microwaves potatoes on a plate covered with foil

    After cooking, carefully remove the plate, using oven mitts -- It will be hot! Cover with foil, and let the potatoes rest for about 5 minutes. The potatoes continue to cook while covered, so even if they don't seem as soft as you like, they should be softer after resting.

    How to Get Crispy Skins

    This step is purely optional, but it does give you steakhouse-style baked potatoes. Place the cooked potatoes on a baking sheet, brush them with a little olive or vegetable oil, and sprinkle with sea salt.

    Then, broil for about 5 minutes or until the skins start to get dark and crispy. As a plus, this also makes the insides of the potatoes even fluffier!

    baked russet potatoes on baking sheet with sea salt

    To cut the potato, make a vertical cut lengthwise, using a sharp knife. To get the fluffy insides to pop up, make a short horizontal cuts on each side of the larger cut. Press gently on each side until the insides rise up -- don't apply too much pressure.

    And that's all there is to making a baked potato in your microwave! But don't stop there. Make a baked potato bar for loaded baked potatoes or add your favorite toppings for the best baked potatoes ever!

    • Butter
    • Sour cream
    • Bacon bits -- real, please!
    • Raw broccoli
    • Shredded cheese
    • Chili
    loaded baked potato on plate

    How to Store and Reheat

    Store any leftover baked potatoes in a covered container in your refrigerator. They should keep well for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat them in your microwave, air fryer or toaster oven.

    Recipe

    microwave baked potato with broccoli, sour cream, cheese and bacon on a plate

    Easy Microwave Baked Potato

    Published by Dee
    This Easy Microwave Baked Potato recipe makes soft, fluffy potatoes with crispy skins in minutes. Perfect for loaded baked potatoes or a quick simple side dish!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 17 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 177 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 medium russet potatoes
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil optional
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt optional

    Instructions
     

    • Scrub potatoes well under running water, and pat dry
    • Use fork to poke holes evenly over potatoes
    • Place potatoes on a microwave safe plate, and cook on full power for 5 minutes. Turn potatoes over, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked through and soft when poked. If not, cook in 1-minute increments until done
    • Remove from oven, and cover with foil for about 5 minutes or until ready to serve
    • Optional -- For crispy skins, rub olive oil over cooked potatoes, place on baking sheet, and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in 400 degree oven until skins are crispy

    Notes

    For small potatoes, cook for 8 minutes -- 4 minutes per side.
    For large to extra large potatoes, cook for 15 to 18 minutes. 
    For one medium potato, try cooking for 3 minutes before turning over and cooking for another 2 minutes.
    Microwave cook times vary with wattage. Cook times were tested with 900 watts.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSodium: 592mgPotassium: 888mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 12.1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.8mg
    Keyword bake potatoes in microwave, easy microwave baked potatoes
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you enjoy these easy microwave baked potatoes as much as we do!

    dee signature
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « One Pan Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
    Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (and Broccoli) »

    You May Also Like

    arby's frozen curly fries in air fryer
    Air Fryer Frozen Curly Fries
    baked pork chops and potatoes on a sheet pan with broccoli
    Baked Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes
    bowl of ramen noodles cooked in microwave with chopsticks
    How to Cook Ramen Noodles in the Microwave

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joe Stool says

      July 25, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      I made two of these myself and they were sooo good for how easy they were to make! Definitely making these again.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Dana says

      July 24, 2021 at 11:11 pm

      I made this for dinner and couldn't believe how easy it was. Only took minutes for a delicious meal!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Sandra says

      July 08, 2021 at 6:52 pm

      This is definitely the best way to make potatoes! So quick and easy!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 09, 2021 at 12:15 pm

        Thanks, Sandra! It's our favorite, too!

    4. Kevin says

      July 01, 2021 at 2:00 pm

      Saw this and I had to try it. They are so easy this way. Doesn't heat up the house like baking. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says

      April 14, 2019 at 12:57 am

      I'd love to give this a try! Looks really easy!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 16, 2019 at 1:13 pm

        It's super easy, Sandra! I hope you like them. 🙂

    6. Melanie Bauer says

      April 13, 2019 at 5:23 am

      Sounds really amazing! I'd love to try this, so easy to make and incredibly delicious!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Jade Manning says

      April 12, 2019 at 10:23 am

      These look ideal for busy weeknights!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 16, 2019 at 1:09 pm

        They really are. We sometimes add meat and make a meal with them!

    8. Beth Pierce says

      April 12, 2019 at 9:33 am

      The best lunch and done in a snap!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 13, 2019 at 1:26 pm

        It really is! Thanks, Beth!

    9. Dorothy Reinhold says

      April 11, 2019 at 6:12 pm

      I think that my mistake has been not turning them! Trying them again tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 13, 2019 at 1:25 pm

        You definitely want to turn them. 🙂

    10. Sara Welch says

      April 11, 2019 at 1:25 pm

      You just gave me an idea for dinner! My kids haven't had a loaded baked potato before; I bet they would love it! Thanks for the inspiration!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 13, 2019 at 1:25 pm

        That sounds like a wonderful dinner option! 🙂

    11. Demeter says

      April 11, 2019 at 10:03 am

      I love making them this way when I only want to make a few potatoes. So quick and easy!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 11, 2019 at 10:12 am

        Exactly. It's super quick this way! 🙂

    Leave a Review Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
    • Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
    • Easy Microwave Baked Potato
    • No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Foil Grilled Corn on the Cob
    • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2022 Meatloaf and Melodrama