The Best Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

Ingredients Dreams can come true! With this recipe, you can now have the perfect baked potato. It’s made with a mix of ingredients that will make the potato crisp outside and soft inside. Let’s take a look at what’s needed for the yummy microwave-baked potato: Potatoes For the perfect microwaved baked potato, medium-starch all-purpose potatoes, like russets, are the way to go. Choose potatoes with smooth skin that are not soft or mushy. This will give you a fluffy, airy potato instead of soggy & heavy. Get ready for the tastiest potato around! Salt For the fluffiest, most flavorful…

Penelope Rossi
May 6, 2023
Four stuffed potatoes with cheese and green onions on a plate.

Ingredients

Dreams can come true! With this recipe, you can now have the perfect baked potato. It’s made with a mix of ingredients that will make the potato crisp outside and soft inside. Let’s take a look at what’s needed for the yummy microwave-baked potato:

  • Deliciousness
  • Flavor
  • Dreams
The Best Microwave Baked Potato Recipe
The Best Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

Potatoes

For the perfect microwaved baked potato, medium-starch all-purpose potatoes, like russets, are the way to go. Choose potatoes with smooth skin that are not soft or mushy. This will give you a fluffy, airy potato instead of soggy & heavy.

Get ready for the tastiest potato around!

Salt

For the fluffiest, most flavorful baked potato, season with salt. Use sea salt or a mix of kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper. Spice it up with flavored salts like garlic or onion salt. Rather than table salt, use sea salt – it has less sodium and a lighter texture.

When microwaving, less seasoning is more. Add more after tasting if needed.

Butter

Butter is key for the best microwaved potatoes. It provides flavor and richness, and helps prevent them from drying out. For extra buttery flavor, mix 1 tablespoon softened butter with 2 tablespoons softened butter, garlic powder, and salt. This should be spreadable like cream cheese. Adjust the ingredients per potato to get your desired zest!

Olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil is a must for the perfect microwave baked potato. It gives flavor and helps crisp up the skin. The potatoes should be creamy inside and slightly crisp outside. Add some oil before microwaving for extra crispiness and even deliciousness. Use extra virgin olive oil for maximum flavor. Other oils like vegetable or canola can be used too, but not as tasty.

Enjoy your perfect potatoes!

Preparation

Baked potatoes – yum! A speedy side-dish.

To make a delicious one, you need the right prep. Here’s an overview of how to get it microwaved nice and ready:

  1. Choose a spud.
  2. Scrub it clean.
  3. Prick it with a fork.
  4. Rub it in oil.
  5. Throw it in the microwave.
  6. Enjoy your tasty potato!

Wash and dry potatoes

Rinse your potatoes with cold water! Scrub them with a vegetable brush. Ensure dirt and bacteria are removed. Then dry completely with a paper towel. This will stop them from steaming during cooking.

Preparing your baked potatoes? It’s important!

  • Rinse potatoes with cold water.
  • Scrub with a vegetable brush.
  • Ensure dirt and bacteria are removed.
  • Dry completely with a paper towel.

Prick potatoes with a fork

Before you microwave a potato, don’t forget to prick it with a fork. This will make air pockets. This lets steam escape, so it won’t burst.

  • Put the potato on the plate.
  • Or put it in a bag, for a crunchy finish.

Rub potatoes with olive oil

Wash your potatoes and let them dry. Then use a veggie brush or kitchen towel to remove any dirt or debris. After that, use a paper towel to lightly coat each potato with olive oil. Rub it all around both sides for an even coating. Lastly, sprinkle the potatoes with sea salt or garlic salt for added flavor and texture!

Rubbing potatoes with olive oil creates a protective coating which traps steam and blocks moisture. This will result in a tender potato with a crispy, golden skin.

Sprinkle with salt

Start by pricking the potatoes with a fork. Space the holes about an inch apart. This allows steam to escape as they cook in the microwave.

Generously salt each potato. This enhances flavor and gives them a crispy texture. Brush with olive oil or melted butter before salting. This helps the seasonings stick better.

The Best Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

Cooking

Tantalize your taste buds with a scrumptious microwave baked potato! It’s an easy-peasy meal which is chock full of nutrition. Here’s the best recipe for it and the steps to follow:

  1. Gather your ingredients: 1 large potato, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and any other desired toppings.
  2. Scrub the potato and poke several holes in it with a fork.
  3. Rub the potato with the olive oil and season it with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.
  4. Place the potato in the microwave and cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Turn the potato over and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Remove the potato from the microwave and top with desired toppings.
  7. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious meal!

Place potatoes in microwave

To cook potatoes in the microwave, you must prep them first. Start by washing each one and piercing several holes with a fork. Place the potatoes on a microwavable plate or dish. Space them out for even cooking. If microwaving more than one potato, set the timer for two extra minutes.

When the timer is done, let it cool for two more minutes before removal.

Cook on high for 5 minutes

Wash your potatoes and prick them a few times with a fork. Don’t pierce all the way through. Unwrap the potatoes, but re-wrap with the same foil when done. Put ’em on a microwave-safe dish.

  • Heat on high for 5 mins.
  • Test one with a fork or knife to see if it’s soft. If not, cook for extra 2 mins.
  • Let cool for 5 mins before serving.

Turn potatoes over and cook for an additional 5 minutes

After 5 minutes in the microwave, take out the dish. Turn each potato over and put it back in. Cook them on high power for 5 more minutes. The potatoes should be soft but not mushy. If one isn’t cooked, give it a few extra moments.

Size matters; adjust cooking times for large or small potatoes. For extra flavor add some pre-seasoned butter spread or olive oil to the potato skins.

Topping

Transform your microwaved potato from average to extraordinary! Toppings such as butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon and chives can elevate the flavor. First, decide what toppings you want. Here we will discuss the top toppings for your microwave baked potato:

  • Butter
  • Sour cream
  • Cheese
  • Bacon
  • Chives

Slice potatoes open and add butter

When you’re ready to cook, start by washing potatoes. Poke some holes in each one with a fork. Put them in a microwave-safe dish. Cook on high for 4 mins each, flipping halfway.

Once cooked, take them from the dish and put each on an individual plate/board. Slice open lengthwise and add butter. Then add any desired toppings like salt, pepper, cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, or spices. Now you have a yummy & easy microwaved potato! Enjoy!

Serve with desired toppings

Baking a potato in the microwave can be customized with your favorite flavors. Classic toppings like sour cream, cheese, and green onions are always good. For those who like spicy food, add hot sauce or sriracha for some flavor and heat. Bacon bits, chives, and diced ham make it a heartier meal. Get experimental with leftover taco meat, or sautéed veggies for added crunch. Endless possibilities!

But don’t forget the real essentials: butter and salt. Delicious!

The Best Microwave Baked Potato Recipe
The Best Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

Tips

Baked potatoes: yummy and easy to make! But, getting the perfect one can be tricky. Here are some simple tips to make it right in the microwave:

  • Firstly, use a fork to poke holes in the potato. This helps steam escape while cooking.
  • Secondly, wrap it in a damp paper towel. This will help it cook evenly.
  • Lastly, cook it on high heat for 5 minutes per side. Voila! Perfectly cooked microwave baked potatoes every time.

Use a potato fork to prick potatoes

Use a potato fork to make small holes in the skin of your potato. Forget this step? No worries! Cut shallow incisions in the top for even heat penetration. Brush the potato with oil or butter for an even cook. Rub salt or spices into the pricked surface for flavor and texture.

Place the potato on a plate with paper towel. Cook on high for 3-5 minutes per side. Flip it halfway through. When it’s fork tender inside, enjoy!

Use a microwave-safe dish

Using a microwave-safe dish is key for a tasty and ideal baked potato. Glass or ceramic dishes with a cover will help it bake quickly. Always remember to poke the spud with a fork 4-5 times before cooking. This will avoid splatters and potential explosions. Some experts suggest rubbing butter on it before microwaving for extra flavor and moisture.

Cook in short intervals to avoid over-cooking

Cook a baked potato in the microwave to get delicious results. Remember to check it’s internal temperature during intervals. Start by cleaning then puncturing the potato with a fork. Place it on a plate or baking sheet, then put the plate or baking sheet in the microwave.

Set the power to high and cook 2-3 minutes. Remove the plate or baking sheet and turn the potato for even cooking. Put a kitchen thermometer in the center – it should be 160-170 degrees F. If not, increase heat 1 minute at a time.

Don’t forget you can top your potato with cheese, butter and sour cream – there’s lots of possibilities!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What ingredients are needed to make a microwave baked potato?

A: You will need a potato, olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other desired toppings.

Q: How long should a potato be microwaved for?

A: Depending on the size of the potato, it should be microwaved for 5-8 minutes on high power.

Q: What toppings can I put on my baked potato?

A: You can put any toppings you like, such as butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives.