Learn how to make microwave baked potatoes with a 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.
This microwave potato is ready to 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!
This baked potato in microwave recipe 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 Baked Potato
Wash and dry the potatoes with paper towel. Pierce holes into the 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.
Make sure to poke holes in the potato then place the potatoes on paper towels then put them into the microwave. Using paper toweling avoids the need for a baking sheet. Cook for 15 minutes, or 7.5 minutes per side if you want to flip them once during the cooking process. 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 them that way.
If the potatoes aren’t cooked through continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove the hot potato from the microwave. The potatoes will be very hot and steamy so you’ll need to protect your hands.
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, or Whole Beef Tenderloin Steak Recipe to serve alongside these baking potatoes.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Select potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work well for baking.
- Dry Completely: After washing, pat the potatoes dry with paper towels. This helps the oil and seasonings adhere better to the skin and prevents sogginess.
- Prick with a Fork: As you mentioned, piercing the potatoes with a fork is essential. This allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing them from exploding in the microwave.
- Season Well: Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the potato skins with olive oil. This not only adds flavor but also helps crisp up the skin. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously for seasoning.
- Cooking Time: The microwave time can vary depending on the size of your potatoes and the power of your microwave. Start with 15 minutes and then check for doneness. If they’re not tender yet, continue microwaving in 5-10 minute increments. Be cautious not to overcook, as they can become too soft or dry.
- Rotate Potatoes: If your microwave has a turntable, it’s a good idea to use it. If not, rotate the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the potatoes to cool for a few minutes after microwaving. This allows them to firm up slightly and makes them easier to handle.
- Fluff the Inside: Before adding your favorite toppings, use a fork to gently fluff the inside of the potato. This will create a nice, fluffy texture that’s perfect for toppings.
- Toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Classic choices include sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives, and bacon bits. But feel free to experiment with other ingredients like broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or chili.
- Serving: Serve your microwave-baked potatoes as a side dish or as a full meal with hearty toppings. If you like, you can also offer a variety of condiments and seasonings for guests to customize their potatoes.
- Safety First: Always use oven mitts or a towel when removing the hot potatoes from the microwave to avoid burning yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
When making this microwave-baked potato recipe, the best varieties to use are Russet, Yukon Gold, and Red potatoes. Russet potatoes are popular for their high starch content and fluffy texture, while Yukon Gold potatoes offer a buttery and creamy consistency. Red potatoes have a firm and waxy texture, resulting in a moist and tender baked potato. Remember to choose potatoes that are similar in size, wash them thoroughly, and pierce them before cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent bursting 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.
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.
To determine if your potato is fully cooked, you can use the following methods: Insert a fork into the center of the potato—if it slides through easily and the potato feels soft, it is likely cooked. Alternatively, gently squeeze the potato—it should give way under light pressure and feel soft all the way through. You can also check the internal temperature using a food thermometer, which should read around 210°F (99°C) to 212°F (100°C) for a cooked potato. Lastly, a fully cooked potato will have a fluffy texture inside, with slightly wrinkled skin and some separation between the flesh and skin.
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
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 Bake a Potato In The Microwave
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.
Video
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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Patti says
These was the best microwave baked potatoes I’ve ever made! Rubbing oil on them and adding salt were things I’d never done. Plus, the tip about wrapping them in wet paper towels and laying them on dry paper towels was genius! It really kept the skin from drying out. I microwaved 4 huge potatoes for 15 min and then added 5 min twice for a total of 25 min. They were a big hit.
Charlotte says
Smaller potatoes – followed the directions but the potatoes never reached a texture that would be considered fluffy – more translucent. Even with the wet paper towels the outer skin was hard. Not sure what went wrong.