How to Cook a Baked Potato in the Microwave Oven – Tips for Beginners

The taste of baked potatoes is the taste of childhood, and summer night gatherings around the fire. As romantic as these memories are, in the hectic daily life, we just do not have the time to prepare this delicacy. However, it is not impossible to bake a potato quickly. The quickest and easiest method is for making potatoes, is microwaving them. So, how to cook a baked potato in the microwave oven? We shall tell you all that you need to know!

Thousands of dishes are prepared from potatoes – from simple to complex ones – side dishes, salads, main courses, etc. Potatoes, baked with the skin, are very useful, because it is the peel that retains all the nutrients and vitamins. In addition, baked potatoes go well with almost any product, toppings and fillings – cheese, fish, meat, vegetables, etc. There are millions of ideas.

How to Cook a Baked Potato in the Microwave Oven – Follow These Tips

It is very easy to cook a baked potato in the microwave oven. Basically, the process is the same for all types of potatoes, yet there are some tips and tricks that will be helpful to those who have never microwaved potatoes before. Here is a short list that will make the process easier and will guarantee a perfect result every time!

Choose potatoes of similar size. It is unlikely that you will bake just one potato. When choosing potatoes of similar size you make sure that they all get evenly cooked at the same time. Potatoes of different sizes will need different cooking time and smaller ones will be cooked quicker.

Poking or cutting the potatoes depends on what you want to do with them later. If you plan to stuff your potatoes, do not poke them but make a deep cut with a knife which will allow you to easily open the potato and load it with the toppings.

When you clean and rinse the potatoes, it is recommended to not pat them dry. The little amount of water left on the skin will prevent the skin from wrinkling. Optionally, you can place a cup of water which will provide steam which will make the potatoes softer. Do not forget to poke or slice the potatoes before that.

How to cook a baked potato in the microwave oven and have a crispy skin? Preheat the oven while your potatoes are in the microwave. Once they are ready, transfer them into the oven and bake for 5 minutes to get the skin crispy.

How long to cook a potato in the microwave? The rule of thumb is to bake potatoes for 5 minutes on each side. Obviously, cooking time will vary depending on the size and variety of potato.

How to Cook a Baked Potato in the Microwave Oven – Step by Step Instructions

When you want to bake potatoes in the microwave oven, here’s what you should do:

• Wash thoroughly and scrub the potatoes to get the dirt off.
• Pat the potatoes dry.
• Poke the potatoes with a fork or slice with a knife. This is especially important. If you do not do that, the potatoes will explode in your microwave.
• Smear olive oil on the potatoes.
•  Season with salt and pepper.
• Microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes, flip and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. If you are cooking multiple potatoes, microwave for up to an additional 5 minutes.
• Remove the potatoes from the microwave and serve.

Toppings and Fillings Ideas for Your Baked Potatoes

You can add whatever you like on your baked potatoes. Bacon and cheese is everyone’s favorite topping. Here are some other options that make great baked potato toppings:

• Diced chicken or ham
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Minced Beef
• Tuna
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Caramelized onions
• Cheese
• Green onions or Chives.
• Broccoli
• Black Beans
• Chili
• Pesto or tomato sauce
• Mozzarella, Parmesan, or ricotta
• Hummus
• Chopped olives
• Fried egg

You can serve your potatoes baked in the microwave as a side dish as well. They will be ideal with pulled pork and gravy, chili con carne, grilled meat or fish, meatloaf, roasted vegetables, etc.