The Recipe Rebel / Side Dishes
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 12 minutes mins
Servings 1 serving
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Last updated on November 1, 2022
This Microwave Baked Potato is the perfect single-serving side dish! It’s quick, simple, and requires just 12 minutes to make. Serve it topped with butter, salt, and pepper, or load it up with your favorite toppings.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients needed for a Microwave Baked Potato
- How to make a baked potato in the microwave
- How long to microwave a potato
- FAQs
- Tips
- Serving suggestions
- More potato recipes you’ll love
- Microwave Baked Potato Recipe
Baked potatoes are a staple in many households, but sometimes we don’t have the time for oven Baked Potatoes!
That’s where this Microwave Baked Potato recipe comes in!
This side dish is ready in just 12 minutes and results in a deliciously soft and fluffy baked potato. It’s perfect for when you’re shorter on time or when it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to turn the oven on for one potato.
For another quick and easy baked potato recipe, check out my Air Fryer Baked Potato!
Ingredients needed for a Microwave Baked Potato
- Potato: I recommend using Russet potatoes.
- Butter, Salt, and Pepper: for serving, if desired.
How to make a baked potato in the microwave
- Prep the potato: Wash and dry the potato thoroughly, then use a fork to prick the potato all over. Set it onto a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave: Microwave the potato on high for 6-12 minutes, depending on the size of the potato you use. Flip halfway through the cooking time.
- Bake (optional): While the potato is in the microwave, preheat the oven to 450ºF. Once it’s cooked, remove from the microwave, brush with oil, salt, and pepper, and bake for 8-10 minutes. This helps the skin get nice and crispy.
- Finish and serve: Slice the potato open and use a fork to fluff the inside, then serve as desired.
How long to microwave a potato
This depends on the size of the potato you’re microwaving. Here are my guidelines for this Microwave Baked Potato recipe:
- 150-160 grams: 3 minutes per side
- 200 grams: 4 minutes per side
- 250-260 grams: 5 minutes per side
- 300 grams: 6 minutes per side
FAQs
What potatoes to use for Microwave Baked Potatoes?
You can use any type of potato you like. However, I definitely recommend using Russet potatoes. They have a high starch content which results in a super soft and fluffy texture when baked (or microwaved.)
Do you have to poke potatoes before microwaving?
Yes. Before microwaving the potato, use a fork to pierce the skin all over. This gives the steam a place to escape as the potatoes cook.
Should baked potatoes be wrapped in foil?
Definitely not! While some people wrap potatoes in foil before baking them in the oven, you should absolutely never put foil in the microwave. Nobody likes a microwave fire!
How do you get crispy skin on a Microwave Baked Potato?
While making a baked potato in the microwave is quick and easy, you don’t get the crispy skin you would out of an oven-baked potato. If you want to take an extra step to crisp up the skin a bit, preheat the oven to 450ºF while the potato is in the microwave. When it’s done cooking, brush it with oil, salt, and pepper, then place it into the oven for 8-10 minutes.
Why do potatoes get hard in the microwave?
If your potato came out of the microwave hard it’s likely over-cooked. Over-cooking a potato can cause it to lose its moisture which is what creates that light and fluffy texture. Be sure you’re cooking the potato for the recommended time depending on its size!
How to store baked potatoes:
Microwave baked potatoes are best right away. However, leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave for a couple of minutes until warmed through.
Tips
- Clean it well. Potatoes can be somewhat dirty so be sure to scrub well before cooking.
- Poke it. Don’t forget to poke holes in the skin of the potato before cooking. If the steam doesn’t have a place to escape, you may end up with an explosion in your microwave!
- Use tongs or gloves to remove the potato. It will be hot when it’s done cooking. Don’t grab the potato out of the microwave with your bare hands.
Serving suggestions
Baked potatoes make a delicious side dish or snack topped off with a pat of butter, salt, and pepper. Serve them with air fryer meatloaf, grilled chicken thighs, turkey burgers, you name it.
They can also be served as loaded baked potatoes with all of your favorite toppings! Here are some variations to try:
- Classic: load them up with shredded cheddar, sour cream, bacon bits, and sliced green onion.
- Chili Cheese: ladle on a helping of instant pot chili and top it off with sour cream, shredded cheese, and avocado.
- Broccoli Cheese: top it off with a pile of steamed broccoli and melted cheddar cheese.
- Sloppy Joe: skip the sloppy joe sandwich and use the filling as a baked potato topping instead.
- Mexican-Inspired: whip up a batch of instant pot taco meat and serve that over the potato with all your favorite taco toppings.
- Breakfast: load your potato up with scrambled eggs, bacon, hot sauce, and sautéed veggies.
More potato recipes you’ll love
Side Dishes
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
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Lyonnaise Potatoes
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Garlic Herb Instant Pot Potatoes
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Pin this recipe to your favorite boardMicrowave Baked Potato
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 1 vote
This Microwave Baked Potato is the perfect single-serving side dish! It's quick, simple, and requires just 12 minutes to make. Serve it topped with butter, salt, and pepper, or load it up with your favorite toppings.
Save
ReviewPrep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 12 minutes mins
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Servings 1 serving
Calories 168cal
Ingredients
- 1 russet potato
- butter, salt and pepper for serving
Instructions
Wash potato well and dry thoroughly.
Prick potato all over with the prongs of a fork and place on a microwave-safe plate.
Microwave on high for the corresponding cook time: extra small (3 minutes per side), small (4 minutes per side), medium (5 minutes per side), large (6 minutes per side). See the potato weights below in notes.
OPTIONAL: for a crispy potato, preheat oven to 450 while potatoes are microwaving. When they are cooked, remove from the microwave, brush with oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 8-10 minutes until crispy.
Slice potato open and fluff the inside. Add butter, salt and pepper or other desired toppings.
Notes
Each size of potato requires a different cook time. Refer to the chart below for more information:
Potato weight = cook time
150-160 grams = 3 minutes per side
200 grams = 4 minutes per side
250-260 grams = 5 minutes per side
300 grams = 6 minutes per side
Tips:
- Clean it well. Potatoes can be somewhat dirty so be sure to scrub well before cooking.
- Poke it. Don’t forget to poke holes in the skin of the potato before cooking. If the steam doesn’t have a place to escape, you may end up with an explosion in your microwave!
- Use tongs or gloves to remove the potato. It will be hot when it’s done cooking. Don’t grab the potato out of the microwave with your bare hands.
Storage:
Microwave baked potatoes are best right away. However, leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave for a couple of minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 168cal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg
Keywords microwave baked potato
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Meet Ashley
My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!
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