How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Microwave

If you’re especially someone who believes simple foods shouldn’t need long preparation hours, then this article is for you. Why bother preheating your oven, or go through the standard process of oven baking when there should be an easier way, right? Well, here you’ll learn the fastest way to whip up a delicious-tasting dish of baked potatoes using only your standard microwave oven. Just follow these simple instructions and you’re sure to be on your way to making this vegetable as easily as you can for dinner every time.

Steps to Cooking Baked Potatoes in the Microwave

With these quick-action steps, baking potatoes wouldn’t feel like you’re trying to whip up a batch of classic ginger cupcakes for a child’s birthday anymore. And the best part is, it works every time!

Choose the Potatoes

When it comes to baking potatoes in the oven, size does matter somewhat. Randomly picking a bunch means you may expose so not getting properly done at all, or you may, in an attempt to let the larger ones fully cook, end up overcooking the smaller ones. This sucks most especially when you have smaller sizes in the pan than larger ones. So, to save yourself the trouble, try making sure that the majority you select are almost of the same size. This way, you make sure that most (if consequently not all) will be properly cooked at the same time.

Bear in mind though that the larger the size, the longer it would take to cook.

Clean the Potatoes

Potatoes tend to have a bit of grit and dirt on them so, unless you plan to chew some grains of sand along with your dinner, it’s best to make sure they’re thoroughly cleaned.

Scrub each potato thoroughly with a soft sponge, under running water, and rinse properly afterward. For those who like to eat their baked potatoes with the skin intact, take extra time to do this.

Poke the Potatoes

Now, this part is really important, as potatoes tend to expand under heat. So unless you want to have them explode in your microwave oven, be sure to poke them all around with a fork before you place them to bake. This technique also allows steam to escape from the potatoes, and that way, you end up with a fluffier texture.

Oil the Potatoes

If you prefer a baked potato with a crispier texture, then coat the body with a bit of oil before you microwave it. But make sure it’s completely dried from the wash before you do this. Oil and water don’t mix and this is most especially obvious under high temperatures.  For best results, gently massage the oil into the potato skin.

Microwave the Potatoes

Once you’ve followed all the above rules to the letter, you can place your potatoes in the oven. On average, you should cook the potatoes for 4 minutes, then flip over and continue for another 4 minutes. Larger potatoes may take more time, mind you, but in all, the entire process shouldn’t take more than 12 minutes tops.

Add Toppings

Once the potatoes are ready, you can serve with any topping you like. You can explore from a simple combination of cheese and bacon to more ambitious options like miso and furikake, butter and sour cream, fresh herbs combined with pepper and salt, or even eggs with a dash of hot sauce!

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