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Yes, you can bake a potato in the microwave. The perfect baked potato is made in the oven, but sometimes you need to bake your potatoes faster.
Let it rest for a few minutes to finish cooking. Then split it open, fluff it up, and add your favorite toppings.
Microwaves cook differently than ovens. So, while you can cook a whole potato in a microwave, it won’t have the qualities of an oven-baked potato.
Unlike ovens, microwaves cook food unevenly. The electromagnetic waves zap food in a random way, meaning that one spot on a potato can heat up very rapidly while another spot barely heats up at all. Thus, a microwaved potato may have spots that are both over- and under-cooked.
The perfect baked potato is made in the oven, but these steps and tips can help you get better results in the microwave.
Choose the Right Potato: Russet potatoes work best for microwaving due to their starchy texture, but yellow or red potatoes can also be used.
Wash and Dry: Scrub the potato thoroughly under cold water to remove dirt, then dry it with a towel.
Pierce the Potato: Use a fork or paring knife to poke several holes (about 6-8 times) around the potato. This allows steam to escape and prevents the potato from bursting while cooking.
Optional – Oil and Season: While oiling the skin should be saved for the end when baking potatoes in the oven, to get crispy skin in the microwave rub the potato with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt before cooking.
Microwave on High: Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 5 minutes (for a medium-sized potato). After 5 minutes, flip the potato and continue microwaving for an additional 4-5 minutes.
Check for Doneness: After the total time, check the potato for doneness by gently squeezing it (with a towel or oven mitt) or inserting a fork. The potato should be soft inside. If it’s not fully cooked, microwave in 1-minute intervals until tender.
Rest and Serve: Let the potato rest for a few minutes to finish cooking. Then, cut it open, fluff the insides with a fork, and serve with your favorite toppings.
Even Cooking: For more even cooking when microwaving multiple potatoes, choose ones that are similar in size and shape. Also, make sure they’re spaced evenly on the plate.
Covering: If you want the skin to be softer, cover the potato loosely with a damp paper towel before microwaving.
Don’t Overcook: Overcooking can lead to a rubbery texture, so keep an eye on the time and test for doneness regularly.
This microwaving method ensures a fluffy interior with a nice outer texture!