• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
You Say Potatoes
  • Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Air Fryer
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Air Fryer
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Air Fryer
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
  • A bowl of smoked salmon cucumber salad on a table.
    Smoked Salmon Cucumber Salad
  • Close up of air fryer stuffed mushrooms on a plate.
    Tex Mex Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Looking down at a plate of curried chicken legs.
    Curried Chicken Legs
  • A plate of cookie butter white chocolate chip cookies, with a Lotus biscoff cookie in it.
    White Chocolate Cookie Butter Cookies
  • An Instant Pot whole roasted chicken on a plate on a table.
    Instant Pot Whole Chicken
  • Looking down at a bowl of edible chocolate chip cookie dough.
    Chocolate Chip Edible Cookie Dough
  • A plate of kung pao chicken.
    Spicy Chicken Recipes
  • Looking down at a plate of breaded chicken cutlets, with one cut into strips.
    Breaded Chicken Cutlets
  • A plate of chicken rice casserole without soup.
    Chicken and Rice Casserole Without Soup
  • Close up of lemon pepper chicken wings.
    Lemon Pepper Wings
  • A wooden table with a serving dish of homemade hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni.
    Cheeseburger Macaroni
  • Side look close up of salmon kabobs on a plate.
    Salmon Kabobs
Home » Recipes » Side Dish

Microwave Baked Potato

Published: Oct 11, 2021 · Modified: Dec 7, 2021 by Kate

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Two potatoes in front of a microwave, with text: Quick and easy microwave baked potatoes.

How to make perfect Microwave Baked Potato! This recipe shows you the tips and tricks for how to cook a potato in the microwave. Ready in just 10 minutes or less.

Cooked potatoes in front of a microwave.

Microwave baked potatoes are such a great time saver! You don't have to wait ages for the oven to preheat and they cut the cooking time down by a LOT!

In under 10 minutes, you can have a fully cooked baked potato in the microwave. Follow my simple trick that makes them come out perfectly, every time!

It's tender all the way through and perfectly cooked.

Use a microwave to make baked potatoes using simple steps.

Wash and dry the potato, poke it for steam holes to escape, and set the time according to its size for a starch that’s ready to serve with any meal!

The trick to making sure they don't shrivel or dry out, is to cover them in wet paper towel! This creates a steam and adds moisture.

The result is perfect microwave-baked potatoes.

Jump to:
  • Why Make This Recipe
  • Ingredients & Tools
  • How to Make a Baked Potato in the Microwave
  • Cook's Tips
  • Baked Potato Toppings
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage & Freezing
  • FAQs
  • More side dish recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why Make This Recipe

This method for baked potatoes takes just 10 minutes or less.

You can microwave one potato for a single serving, or microwave a few at once to make a hearty side dish.

Baked potatoes are a healthy starch with fiber and pair well with any meal or protein.

We use Idaho potatoes, but you can use any potatoes you enjoy if you adjust the cooking time for their size.

Ingredients & Tools

Russet Potatoes - Also known as Idaho potatoes, these are the most popular when it comes to the best potatoes to bake.

Tools

  • Microwave - You’ll need a microwave to “bake” the potato which will cook it from the inside out so it stays tender and perfectly cooked.
  • Paper Towels - Damp paper towels are needed to help keep the moisture on the outside of the potato so it cooks evenly.
  • Microwave Safe Plate - The potatoes need to be placed on a plate that can withstand the heat in the microwave.

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.

Cut open microwaved baked potato.

How to Make a Baked Potato in the Microwave

Wondering how to make baked potatoes in the microwave? It's easy!

Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

Pricking potatoes with a fork.

Clean the potatoes: Thoroughly wash the potatoes under cold water and scrub off any excess dirt if needed.

Pierce the potato: Using a fork or a small sharp knife, poke a few holes on each side which will allow steam to escape.

Potatoes covered in wet paper towel.

Prepare the potatoes for the microwave: Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate, then cover with wet paper towels.

Potatoes cooking in a microwave.

Microwave the potatoes: Set the cooking time to 5 minutes on high, then flip the potatoes on the other side using tongs. Set the timer for 5-7 minutes on high and cook until they are fork-tender through the center of the potato. Remove from the microwave with tongs and serve with your favorite toppings.

Cook's Tips

Choose potatoes that have no outside bruising or impurities. Potatoes that are all roughly the same size will cook evenly.

It’s very important to make sure you poke holes on the sides of the potatoes to make sure the steam built up has room to escape. If there are no holes poked on the outside, the potato can explode in the microwave.

When handling the potatoes after cooking, use tongs as they will be extremely hot and can cause burns from the steam.

How long to microwave a baked potato: The cooking time in this recipe is a suggestion based on 2 large russet potatoes. Adjust the time based on how big (or small) your potatoes are by testing using a fork or a toothpick for doneness.

Baked Potato Toppings

A microwaved baked potato is a great canvas for a variety of toppings. Try these ideas below!

  • Sour Cream & Chives
  • Cheese and Baked Beans
  • Cheddar or Parmesan Cheese
  • Bacon Crumbles
  • Chili
  • Tuna salad
  • Salsa
  • Black Beans
  • Mexican Ground Beef
  • Salad topped with Ikea copycat Dill Mustard Sauce

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy with a steak or grilled chicken alongside Roasted Beets or Buttered Cabbage.

Fill with your favorite baked potato toppings, such as sour cream and chives, baked beans or chili.

Storage & Freezing

Storing: Cooled baked potatoes can be stored in an airtight container for 4-5 days. Reheat using the microwave before serving.

Freezing: Whole-baked potatoes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure they are completely cooled, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then a layer of aluminum foil. Place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and serving.

FAQs

Why do you need to poke holes in a potato before microwaving?

The water in the potato vibrates in the microwave causing lots of heat, if it has nowhere to escape to, it could cause the potato to explode and become very dangerous.

How long to microwave baked potatoes?

1 potato for approximately 3 minutes per side
2 potatoes for approximately 4 minutes per side
3 potatoes for approximately 5 minutes per side

More side dish recipes

We hope that you love this simple method of cooking baked potatoes in the microwave! Be sure to try these other great side dish recipes too!

  • Air Fryer with roasted cauliflower.
    Air Fryer Cauliflower
  • Close up of a bowl of air fried baby potatoes.
    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
  • Serving dish of cooked cabbage with butter melting into it and pepper on top.
    Buttered Cabbage
  • A table with a dish of beer battered deep fried brussels sprouts and a bowl of dip.
    Beer Battered Deep Fried Brussels Sprouts

Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

📖 Recipe

Cooked potatoes in front of a microwave.

Microwave Baked Potatoes

How to make perfect Microwave Baked Potato! This recipe shows you the tips and tricks for how to cook a potato in the microwave in 10 mins.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to cook baked potatoes in the microwave, microwave baked potatoes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 164kcal
Author: Kate | You Say Potatoes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Microwave

Ingredients

  • 2 large potatoes (ideally Russet/Idaho)

Instructions

  • ​​Wash the potatoes and pierce each one with a fork a few times on each side.
  • Place the potatoes onto a large, microwave-safe plate and cover them with two wet paper towels.
  • Cook on high for 5 minutes, then turn each one over (careful, they’ll be hot!).
  • Cover again with the wet paper towels, then cook on high for a further 5-7 minutes or until they are tender right through.
Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

Notes

  • Choose potatoes that have no outside bruising or impurities. Potatoes that are all roughly the same size will cook evenly.
  • It’s very important to make sure you poke holes on the sides of the potatoes to make sure the steam built up has room to escape. If there are no holes poked on the outside, the potato can explode in the microwave.
  • When handling the potatoes after cooking, use tongs as they will be extremely hot and can cause burns from the steam.
  • How long to microwave a baked potato: The cooking time in this recipe is a suggestion based on 2 large russet potatoes. Adjust the time based on how big (or small) your potatoes are by testing using a fork or a toothpick for doneness.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 897mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Looking down at a serving dish of roasted butternut squash with cranberries, pecans, spices and sage.
    Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries
  • Looking down at a serving dish of maple roasted sweet potato with a spoon in it.
    Maple Roasted Sweet Potato
  • Close up of a spoon in a bowl of Boursin Brussels Sprouts.
    Boursin Brussels Sprouts
  • Close up of a serving dish of spicy air fryer wedges.
    Spicy Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




  1. Hanna

    October 11, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    THis makes such a quick baked potato! It's so perfect for when we're in a rush!

    Reply
  2. Gina

    October 11, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    This is SUCH a time saver! All these years I've turned on the oven and baked potatoes for 40 minutes - gah!

    Reply
  3. Trevor Jenkins

    July 09, 2022 at 4:45 am

    5 stars
    The thing is... microwaved potatoes look shrivelled , even if they are not overcooked. I don't pierce the skin before I microwave a potato. I wash a large baking potato well, leave it wet and wrap in a couple of layers of paper towel, Parchment paper might be good, (no bleach in the paper) and set it on a microwave safe plate, then into the oven for two minutes and wait for two minutes of so. Then I turn them over and go for another two minutes and a two minute wait. Then turn again. I might continue until it feels about done. It depends on how big it is. Someone said 210 degrees internal temperature. I let it stand for a little while before cutting. I'm usually timing it to be ready with the rest of my meal. The skin is smooth and the water is still inside, it's steaming inside slowly. It didn't burst open because the temperature came up, somewhat gradually, much as it would in a conventional oven, but still much faster. The inside stays moist in it's own liquid. You could always crisp the skin in a toaster oven to make it even more like a 45 minute oven potato. I had a friend who was gifted this little quilted bag made to be used in this very way for potatoes in the microwave. Don't poke them with a fork. They will dry out and get strange if you overcook them.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kate cooking.

Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • Side view of a plate of Outback Steakhouse bread with one piece sliced and one with butter.
    Outback Steakhouse Bread copycat

  • Cooked chicken legs in air fryer.
    Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)

  • Serving dish of cooked cabbage with butter melting into it and pepper on top.
    Buttered Cabbage

  • Platter of raw vegetables and copycat ranch sauce.
    Wingstop Ranch Recipe (copycat)

Collage of press logos.

Healthy Recipes

  • Teriyaki salmon on a plate.
    Teriyaki Salmon (Air Fryer)

  • Close up of a salad topped with grilled shawarma chicken.
    Chicken Shawarma Salad

  • Looking down at a dish of mango black bean salad.
    Mango Black Bean Salad

  • Plate of Moroccan chicken couscous with harissa yogurt sauce.
    Moroccan Chicken Couscous

Footer

↑ back to top

Information

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Website Accessibility Statement

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Partner Site

  • Veggie Desserts

Contact

  • Contact
  • About Me

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 You Say Potatoes

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this recipe!
We all loved this recipe and I'm sure I'll make it again and again!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.