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!

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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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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
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
Easy Microwave Baked Potato
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
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy these easy microwave baked potatoes as much as we do!
Joe Stool says
I made two of these myself and they were sooo good for how easy they were to make! Definitely making these again.
Dana says
I made this for dinner and couldn't believe how easy it was. Only took minutes for a delicious meal!
Sandra says
This is definitely the best way to make potatoes! So quick and easy!!
Dee says
Thanks, Sandra! It's our favorite, too!
Kevin says
Saw this and I had to try it. They are so easy this way. Doesn't heat up the house like baking. Thanks!
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
I'd love to give this a try! Looks really easy!
Dee says
It's super easy, Sandra! I hope you like them. 🙂
Melanie Bauer says
Sounds really amazing! I'd love to try this, so easy to make and incredibly delicious!
Jade Manning says
These look ideal for busy weeknights!
Dee says
They really are. We sometimes add meat and make a meal with them!
Beth Pierce says
The best lunch and done in a snap!
Dee says
It really is! Thanks, Beth!
Dorothy Reinhold says
I think that my mistake has been not turning them! Trying them again tomorrow!
Dee says
You definitely want to turn them. 🙂
Sara Welch says
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!
Dee says
That sounds like a wonderful dinner option! 🙂
Demeter says
I love making them this way when I only want to make a few potatoes. So quick and easy!
Dee says
Exactly. It's super quick this way! 🙂