19K

Do you like baked potatoes? Did you know you can make them in no time in the microwave?  You can even make baked sweet potatoes in the microwave, too.

Baked potatoes are so versatile.  You can top them with anything.  I’m going to show you two ways we love to eat baked potatoes that take no time at all. 

I honestly had no idea I could bake a potato in the microwave until I was in college.

My sister-in-law showed me her secret for making a deliciously moist baked potato in the microwave, and now I’m going to share it with you! I’ve been making them this way for literally years now.

To prick or not to prick a baked potato?

I’ve experimented with pricking potatoes with a fork before cooking them and totally skipping this step. I don’t think it’s necessary.

I used to be afraid it would explode if I didn’t prick it, but I’ve skipped the pricking for years and have never had a potato explode on me.  I’ve cooked a bazillion of these things, even multiple potatoes at the same time, and they have never exploded.  

How do you make a microwave baked potato?

First, scrub your potato. 

Next, get a piece of wax paper and wrap the potato up completely.  That is my big secret because the wax paper does an amazing job at keeping your potato moist without going soggy. 

A lot of microwaves have a “potato” button for making a microwave baked potato.  If yours doesn’t, I suggest starting with 5 minutes for one potato, 10 minutes for 2, and about 12-13 minutes fro 3 potatoes. 

In my experience, if you’re using large or jumbo-sized potatoes (which is what I usually use for a baked potato as a meal), adding more than 3 potatoes just takes way too much time. 

I’ve found if you’re making multiple potatoes, such as 4, it’s better to cook 2 at a time. 

When the time is up, use a hot pad to wrap around your potato and gently squish it.  If it gives easily, then your potato is ready.  If it’s still hard, cook it an additional 2-3 minutes and check again.  

If your potato is just slightly squishy, I’ve found wrapping the potato in a kitchen towel (keep the wax paper wrapped around it as well) and just letting it sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes allows it to keep cooking itself internally, and then, it’s perfectly ready, and it can still melt butter. 

If your potato is squishy and ready right out of the microwave, you can do this same thing while you get all the other ingredients ready, and it will stay hot enough to melt butter for at least 5 minutes or so. 

Chili Cheese Baked Potato

A chili cheese baked potato is one of my favorite things for a quick dinner for just myself .  It’s a hearty meal and just hits the spot.  

Loaded Baked Potato

Make yourself a loaded baked potato for dinner easily just using your microwave! 

More Recipe Ideas

• Microwave Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Easy Enchilada Bowl in the Microwave
• Single Serving Cheddar Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Microwave Meatballs in 5 minutes
• How to make Microwave Mac and Cheese