How To Make Microwave Baked Potatoes

Name: How To Make Microwave Baked Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 large potatoes; olive oil; salt and pepper

Learn how to make microwave-baked potatoes with paper towel in no time at all! Below we show how to make large baked potatoes perfect to stand alone or with toppings as dinner. Follow our chart below to see how long to microwave smaller potatoes.

These fast baked potatoes are ready serve in under 20 minutes. So the next time you are looking for a quick and easy side dish (or entree!) to serve your family, head straight for this recipe!

For more ways to cook baked potatoes, check out our Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes, Baked Potato in the Air Fryer and Steakhouse Baked Potato recipes!

baked potatoes with butter, salt and chives

Microwaved Baked Potato

Microwaving baked potatoes is by far the best option for kids looking to learn how to make baked potatoes. With only a few steps and minimal ingredients, kids can easily make this recipe all on their own.

They will also get a kick out of picking the toppings to serve with the potatoes. We have found using baked potatoes to encourage kids to try new foods is an excellent option, especially for picky eaters!

From pulled pork and bbq chicken to broccoli and green onions, you’ll be amazed at how open kids are to try new a new topping on their potato!

For kids to get started, have them gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or use the printable recipe card below. Enjoy!

ingredients for microwaved baked potatoes on a sheet pan

Equipment

fork
pastry brush
paper towel
microwave

Ingredients

4 large potatoes
olive oil
salt and pepper

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

How To Microwave a Baked Potato

Wash and dry the potatoes with paper towel. Pierce each potato with a fork 4-5 times. Use a pastry brush to brush olive oil on the tops of the potatoes or use your hands. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Microwave

Place potatoes paper toweling then put into the microwave. Bake for 15 minutes. Check tenderness with a knife. We used dry paper toweling, but for fluffier potatoes, you can wrap the potatoes in a damp paper towel and cook that way.

If the potatoes aren’t cooked through continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove from the microwave – the potatoes will be very hot.

Serve

Let cool for a few minutes then slice with a knife, gently squeeze ends to open then add your favorite toppings.

Pro Tip: Follow these directions and adjust the cooking time for any variety of potato – Yukon, red or even sweet potatoes.

How Long To Cook a Baked Potato

Small Potato

7 minutes

Medium Potato

10 minutes

Large Potato

15 minutes

*Add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time regardless of the size as the power of each microwave or quantity of potatoes in the microwave may differ.

Baked Potato Toppings

The BEST part – the toppings! Easily turn baking potatoes into a complete meal by topping with any of these delicious options.

Want to keep things simple and serve as a side dish? No problem! Keep plain or top with sour cream, green onions and/or butter then serve.

Shredded cheddar cheese + BBQ pulled pork
Steamed broccoli + Velveeta Cheese Sauce
Sloppy Joes meat + red onions
Butter + bacon bits
Baked chicken + cheddar cheese + green onions
Taco meat + corn + black beans
Cheddar cheese + jalapenos + bacon bits
Shepards pie filling + cheddar cheese

What to Serve with Baked Potatoes?

If not serving alone, we will pick from Baked Pork Chops, Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs, Whole Beef Tenderloin Steak Recipe or Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast to serve alongside these baking potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to wrap a damp paper towel when cooking a baked potato in the microwave?

It is not necessary but we have found wrapping the potato makes a fluffier potato. Also, the dampness from the paper towel provides moisture to the potato to prevent the skin from drying out.

How many potatoes can you microwave at one time?

Totally depends on the size of your microwave and the potatoes. As long as the potatoes are not stacked on top of each other and the sides aren’t touching, you can include as many potatoes in the microwave as it will fit.

How to reheat baked potato?

Reheat baked potatoes in the microwave in 3-minute increments until hot then top and serve.

How to store baked potatoes?

After you cook the potato in the microwave, let cool completely then store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 days.

Do NOT freeze leftover baked potatoes, the texture is not appetizing once thawed. Top leftover potatoes with any topping to serve as a side dish or turn into potato pancakes.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Wait to wash potatoes until right before you are making a recipe to extend the shelf life
Don’t forget your oven mitts when taking the potatoes from the microwave – they will be really hot!
Keep your oven mitts on to squeeze the ends of the potato to open to prevent burning your fingers

microwaved baked potatoes with butter, salt and chives

More Russet Potato Recipes

Gluten Free Potato Soup
Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes
Gluten-Free Shepards Pie
Pork Chop Sheet Pan Dinner
Crockpot Irish Beef Stew
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

More Gluten Free Potato Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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