How To Microwave A Baked Potato

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Can You Refrigerate A Baked Potato

How to Bake a Potato in the Microwave | Allrecipes.com

Its best to serve potatoes straight after baking them or put them in the fridge to ensure your potatoes are at a safe temperature. If they are covered in aluminum foil, eliminate the foil immediately after baking to stop botulinum bacteria from forming. Never put baked potatoes in the refrigerator covered with aluminum foil.

Oven Baked Potato Method:

If you have plenty of time and youre wondering how to bake a potato, use this method.

When Im thinking about how to bake a potato, I prefer the baked potato in oven method. Even though the second method gives similar results, I think the results in this method are superior. Plus, just old habits, you know?

In the winter I especially love it because the oven being on for a while makes the kitchen and connected family room so nice and toasty warm. I also think a potato baking in the oven smells yummy.

Before you can prep the potatoes for baking, the baked potato oven temp should be 375 degrees F. You want to start with organic russet potatoes of the large baking variety.

Wash, scrub, and dry the potatoes . Then, poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.

An optional step is to brush each side of the potato with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt . This step might be optional, but it makes the potato taste so good, so you shouldnt skip it!

Once youve seasoned the potatoes, youre ready to bake them in your preheated oven.

Wondering how long to bake a potato?

The baking time can really very depending on the size of your potato as well as the altitude at which you live. Youll likely still need to test for doneness and find what cook time works best for you.

Note that the average cook time for a baked potato in oven 75-90 minutes.

Click HERE to save these instructions for the Perfect Baked Potato to Pinterest!

Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

Short on time? Try this easy Microwave Baked Potato Recipe and have a buttery soft baked potato in under 10 minutes.

Sometimes I am really prepared for dinner with my meal plan for the week, and other times I am flying by the seat of my pants trying to whip something up. I call it balance. When I am short on time this easy Microwave Baked Potato Recipe is a lifesaver. I dont always have time to throw them in the oven. Raw potatoes to deliciously baked buttery potatoes in less than 10 minutes!

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Easy Microwave Baked Potato

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jun 28, 2021 by Dee

This Easy Microwave Baked Potato recipe makes soft, fluffy potatoes with crispy skins in minutes. Perfect for loaded baked potatoes or a quick side dish on busy nights when you don’t have time to bake or air fry your spuds!

There’s nothing like a thick, juicy steak served with a baked potato, right?! But oven-baked potatoes take an hour to make, and who has time for that — especially in the summer? Growing up, we always made baked potatoes in the microwave instead of the oven, and it’s still my favorite way to make a quick baked potato!

In addition to potatoes, I also cook broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans and sweet potatoes in the microwave. They all come out perfectly cooked every time!

Even though I also like to make baked potatoes in the Instant Pot, microwaved baked potatoes are much faster. All you do is set the timer, hit start, and you have the best soft, fluffy baked potatoes in just a few minutes!

How Long To Microwave A Potato

Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure policy.

Learn how long to microwave a potato along with tips for getting a perfect microwave potato every time. A microwave baked potato is just as fluffy and delicious as oven-baked, plus it cooks up in minutes!

Baked potatoes are healthy and wholesome as a meal on their own or a side dish. Load them up with your favorite toppings and youve got comfort food for a cozy night in. But did you know that potatoes can also be baked in the microwave?

Your potatoes will come out soft and fluffy and will be ready to eat in no time. Its ideal for those nights when you want something filling and delicious with minimal effort.

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Why Do Potatoes Get Hard In The Microwave

Potatoes get hard in the microwave when theyre overcooked and the overcooked sections lose too much moisture and become dry and hard.

If youre using an older microwave without a revolving plate and find that your potato is developing hard spots before its cooked all the way through, try rotating it a couple times during the cooking process so it cooks evenly all over.

What Is The Best Way To Reheat Potatoes

The best way of reheating potatoes is by using the oven. First, preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and remove the potatoes from the fridge to be at room temperature. To have a crispy skin, arrange the potatoes on a baking sheet or on top of an oven rack. Baking should be 15 to 20 minutes or until the potato is perfectly heated.

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The Best Preparation Method:

With those thoughts in mind, it didnt take me long to decide that I liked the potato cooked in the bowl covered in plastic wrap. That potato had the best texture and was the easiest to prepare. Neither of the two potatoes covered in fat tasted differently than the steamed one so it felt like a waste of butter or olive oil.

If you arent cooking in a bowl or on a plate, make sure to use a towel or oven mitt to grab it from the microwave, itll be super hot!

One Potato Two Potato

How To Bake A Potato In A Microwave

Good ol russet potatoes will do the trick here. Any size will do, although larger potatoes might need an extra minute. Also, if youre cooking more than one potato, try to get potatoes that are all roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate. This said, this isnt a fussy technique, and if a smaller potato gets an extra minute of cooking time, no harm done.

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How Long To Cook

How long it takes to cook baked potatoes in the microwave depends on how many you’re cooking and how large they are. The cook time also varies depending upon the wattage of your microwave.

The best way to cook potatoes evenly is to cook for just a few minutes per side, instead of cooking for, say, 10 minutes at once.

Flip the potatoes over, cook for another few minutes, and check for doneness. You should be able to easily stick a fork into the potatoes when done.

  • Small potatoes â 4 minutes per side for a total of 8 minutes
  • Medium potatoes â 5 minutes per side for a total of 10 minutes
  • Large potatoes â 15 minutes total. You may have to turn the potatoes 3 times.

If you’re only cooking one medium potato, try cooking it for 3 minutes on one side and 2 minutes on the other side. If you have 2 medium potatoes, 8 minutes total works well for us.

After cooking, carefully remove the plate, using oven mitts — It will be hot! Cover with foil, and let the potatoes rest for about 5 minutes. The potatoes continue to cook while covered, so even if they don’t seem as soft as you like, they should be softer after resting.

Cook A Jacket Potato In The Microwave And Oven

Despite their high nutritional value, potatoes are not always the healthiest choice. It all comes down to how you cook them. French fries, for example, may increase your risk of cardiovascular mortality and death from all causes when consumed in excess.

Baked potatoes are a better option as long as you don’t top them with cream cheese, sour cream and other fat-laden ingredients. The downside is that they take over one hour to cook. If you’re in a rush, you can first cook the potatoes in the microwave and finish in the oven. With this trick, you’ll cut down the cooking time and get a more intense flavor.

First, wash the potatoes thoroughly and pierce them with a fork to keep them from bursting open. Bon Appetit recommends using Russet potatoes because they’re larger and can hold plenty of toppings, from sliced tomatoes to cottage cheese and veggies.

Read more:Healthy Toppings for a Baked Sweet Potato

Microwaving doesn’t yield the same results as baking, notes Bon Appetit. Potatoes baked in the oven are much creamier and have beautiful golden skin. Therefore, you should microwave them on high for no longer than six minutes, advises the Irish Food Board.

If you’re cooking several potatoes, add a few extra minutes. Cook them until they become soft in the center ââ¬â use a knife to test them. Flip the potatoes after the first two or three minutes of cooking. Once they’re ready, remove them from the microwave.

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How To Reheat Baked Potato In The Microwave

Most people have no idea how to use their leftover baked potatoes. Some may think of overfeeding, whereas others may decide to dispose of them. Overfeeding can cause digestion problems, whereas throwing might make you feel guilty since it is pure food wastage. That may make you start researching whether you can warm your leftover baked potatoes and how to reheat baked potato in the microwave.

Put the baked potatoes on a microwavable plate and adjust your microwave to reheat, setting on average heat. Microwave for five minutes and keep turning the potatoes. Keep microwaving at 30-interval-stops until the potatoes inner temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

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How Long Does It Take To Microwave Potatoes

Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

The exact timing will depend on your microwave power, potato size and the number of potatoes. Heres a general guide.

For 2 medium-sized russet potatoes, start with 10-11 minutes of microwave time on 100% power. If the potatoes dont seem tender , add another 1 to 2 minutes at a time.

For 4 medium-sized russet potatoes, start with 15-16 minutes.

For a single potato, start with 5-6 minutes.

If your potatoes are especially large or fat like the kind youd get in a restaurant youll likely need an extra couple minutes of microwave time. Just put them back in the microwave and add more time until they get cooked through.

Its not necessary to turn your potatoes over during the cook time I usually dont because Im busy doing something else for dinner. However, you certainly can and it can be helpful for larger or fatter potatoes to get them to cook evenly and a bit more quickly.

OK, lets really make these potatoes fun with the toppings! You know I love adding some toppings

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How To Cut A Baked Potato Like A Restaurant

To cut a baked potato like a restaurant, slice the potato lengthwise across the top, cutting about halfway down. Then, using a thick towel to protect your hands from the hot potato, use the thumb and index finger of each hand to squeeze the sides of the potato inward until the slice splits open.

Use a fork to fluff up the insides of the potato before adding your toppings.

How Do You Reheat A Baked Potato In The Microwave

Baked potatoes are tasty when fresh. Though if you have to reheat them, using the microwave is the best option. However, you need to know the right steps to follow when using the microwave to reheat baked potatoes to do it the right way. Heres what you need to do in four easy steps:

  • Cut the baked potato into two.
  • Take a moist paper towel and cover the potato.
  • Put your wrapped potato in a microwavable dish.
  • Nuke the baked potato on moderate heat until thoroughly heated . The reheat duration is contingent on the potato size, but generally, it will take two to three minutes to reheat with the microwave.

Essentially, its ideal to eliminate any topping before putting your baked potato in the microwave. It might be different if youre heating twice-baked potatoes with toppings inside. If so, heres what you should know about reheating twice-baked potatoes:

  • You can use a microwave or an oven to reheat your twice-baked potatoes.
  • Other people prefer freezing twice-baked potatoes only to reheat later.
  • You can decide to put your frozen twice-baked potato from the freezer into the oven or allow them through overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Follow the same steps you use to reheat baked potatoes in the microwave to reheat twice-baked potatoes.
  • If youre using the microwave and desire crispier skin, you can put your potatoes in the oven for some minutes using the broiler setting once you remove them from the microwave.

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How To Make Baked Potatoes In The Microwave

  • Start by selecting your potatoes. I prefer the longer ones, more oval-shaped.
  • Wash them well.
  • Pierce in several spots with a fork. This is important to prevent the potatoes from bursting during cooking.
  • Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate or a large bowl.
  • Microwave at 100% power for 6 minutes. Gently squeeze the potatoes with kitchen tongs. If they are not soft enough, cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. After 8 minutes, my potatoes were perfect!
  • Remove from microwave and cool until easy to handle.
  • Cut the potatoes lengthwise, not cutting all the way through, squeeze the ends toward the center and fluff the inside with a fork.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings: salt, pepper, butter, sour cream, chives, dill, bacon, cheese, etc.

How To Microwave Potatoes Without Drying Them Out

How to Make a Baked Potato in the Microwave (Super Easy)
  • Wash the potatoes by scrubbing the surface effectively and rinse them under running water. Then pat the potatoes to dry and trim any marks using a paring knife. But dont remove the eyes whatever.
  • Prick the potatoes using a fork approximately four to five times on either side. These holes will let steam escape from the potatoes during the baking process to prevent them from exploding.
  • Mix oil, pepper, and some olive oil and rub on the potatoes. It will ensure the potatoes cooks well and enhance the flavor.
  • Arrange the potatoes on a microwavable plate and nuke for roughly five minutes on full heat.
  • Turn the potatoes and keep microwaving for three to five more minutes, depending on how many potatoes youre baking.
  • Check if they are thoroughly cooked by pricking the core of the potato with a paring knife or a fork. If some are not yet cooked, keep microwaving at one-minute breaks till they cook perfectly.
  • Let the potatoes cool down for some minutes, then serve.
  • It is also advisable to cool the potatoes thoroughly if you want to store them in the fridge. If properly stored, cooked potatoes can last for four days, and you can reheat them in the microwave.

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Whats The Best Potato For Baking

The key thing to remember when learning how to bake potatoes is to start with the right kind of potato. It seems obvious, but not all potatoes are suitable for baking!

For this recipe, you need to buy large russet potatoes of the baking variety. Dont worry, your grocery store should have the different potatoes clearly labeled!

Fast Baked Potato Method

When Im super busy, or I havent gotten started with my cooking early enough, I microwave potatoes before baking.

Im not a big fan of only microwaving baked potatoes, because you dont get a nice crisp skin on them . So, I microwave the potatoes before I bake them, and then finish up my baked potato in oven.

This method is also great when you need to free up the oven for something else. In this method, youll preheat the oven to a higher temp to give you that nice, crispy outer skin in a fraction of the time.

You can do this without the risk of burning the outside since the potato has already been partially cooked thanks to the trusty microwave.

To make a fast baked potato, youll first need to preheat yur oven to 450 degrees F. Again, youll want to start with an organic russet potato of the large baking variety.

Wash, scrub, and dry the potato using a Vegetable Scrub Brush if you have one. Then poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.

Microwave the potatoes, up to 4 at a time, on full power for 4 minutes. Turn potato over and microwave for 4 more minutes. If desired, brush each side of the potato with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt.

How long does it take to bake a potato after its been microwaved?

Youll want to bake the microwaved potato in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After that, youll have a perfect baked potato!

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Is It Safe To Microwave A Potato

Yes, its safe to cook potatoes in the microwave. Just be sure to use microwave-safe dishes and avoid foil. Always poke holes into the potatoes to allow steam to escape otherwise, there is some risk the potato could break apart or explode due to pressure buildup.

Does Microwaving Kill Nutrients in Potatoes? There is no nutritional difference in potatoes that have been microwaved versus other methods, according to Livestrong.

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