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!

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!

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

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
- Gluten Free Sweet Potato Fries
- Gluten Free Sweet Potato Muffins
- Baked Sweet Potato Slices
- Gluten Free Potato Salad
- Gluten Free Cheesy Potatoes
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Bites
- Instant Pot Baby Red Potatoes
- Crock Pot Red Potatoes
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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.
How To Make Microwave Baked Potatoes
Equipment
- fork
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prep the potatoes. 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. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.4 large potatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper
- ⭐️ Microwave. Place the potatoes on paper toweling then put into the microwave. Bake for 15 minutes. Check tenderness with a knife. If the potatoes aren't cooked through continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove from the microwave.
- ⭐️ Serve. Let cool for a few minutes then slice with a knife, gently squeeze ends to open then add your favorite toppings.
Notes
Baked Potato Toppings
- 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
Reheating Instructions
- Reheat baked potatoes in the microwave in 3-minute increments until hot then top and serve.
Storage Instructions
- After you cook potato in 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.
Nutrition
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