Microwave Baked Potato

This was great! One tip - if you want your potatoes to come out extra "steamy" and have problems with your potatoes drying out, try wrapping the potatoes in plastic wrap before microwaving. The skin doesn't dry out and get crisp, but the inner part comes out the way it does in the oven.

if you prefer the crispiness of an oven baked potato, use the microwave until the potato is partially baked and then use the oven to finish. You can still save quite a bit of time this way.

great quick recipe! works perfectly. To prevent potato flame, just add a bit of water in the bottom of your plate/bowl. the pepper really adds to the taste of the potato. Thanks for the time saver!

Yea! *applause* Excellent recipe! Remember that the size of the potato and the wattage of the microwave may vary cooking times. This is a great recipe, especially for those just starting to cook. You can change up the toppings to your liking. Thanks!

As written, my first attempt was a total flop. I used a fairly large potato and it was way overdone. I made the following changes and came out with an AWWESOME potato --Wrap the potato in a paper towel while cooking --Reduce cooking time to 5 minutes total. 3 min. on one side then turn and cook for an additional 2 minutes. --When it's done cooking - DON"T OPEN THE MICROWAVE, allow to sit for 3-5 minutes. The potato will continue to cook while it sits due to the trapped steam. This yields a better result, that isn't overdone. -- Add the butter and cheese, then microwave an additional 45 seconds to melt cheese. --For some real flavor, I top mine with butter, sour cream, more cheese AND shredded or pulled hot BBQ chicken, beef, or pork with a little salt & pepper to taste. --YUMMY!!! ENJOY!!

This is good in a time crunch - I use the Perfect Baked Potato recipe from this site for the oven style (brush olive oil after pricking and sprinkle with salt) so I do this step for the microwave too. For those of you who are following that tip to wrap in plastic wrap - beware, chemicals from the plastic wrap will leach into your potato if you do this. I would only use those plastic bags that are designed for the microwave otherwise you are putting your health at risk. Thanks for the great recipe.

It tastes just as good when baked in the microwave as in the oven and it's a LOT faster. I fix the little red potatoes that I've quartered in the microwave also. It only takes about five minutes to fix a serving for one. Just add butter and in five minutes you have baked potatoes!!

We usually make our baked potatoes like this in the microwave. Saves so much time and tastes just as good.

One of the simplest and best things to make in a microwave. Big timesaver.

To the person who wrote the following: followed the baking instructions to a T and my brand new GE Profile microwave caught fire and is now in the trash. My house smells of burnt potato and microwave. Not a good recipe. ========= this is simply not true. Since you only gave ONE review on this site, your motives are suspicious. I have microwaved potatoes for years - the only way this might happen is if instead on 10 min you put in 100 min by mistake and then forgot about it. Just make sure to turn the potato halfway through and adjust the time for the size of the potato. You won't go back to baking them, this works so great. Works for sweet potato also. Works great.

I have done this for years. I put as many potatoes as I can fit on a salad plate, stick 'em with a knife 5 times each, and seal them in a gallon sized zipper bag. Then I microwave on high for 5-7 min just keep checking by sticking a knife through the bag into a potato. The newer microwaves are much more powerful so find a time right for yours and remember it. This works everytime. I'll never use the oven again.

Twice baked potatoes just became so simple to make. Hint: Place a glass of water in microwave with the potato--tastes like they were baked in the oven.

Perfect for me,as i like to make my bake potato on short notice and like it quickly. Only recomend placing potato in small bowl with a little water keeps it form drying out.

Soooo yummy! Very soft.

*I wrapped mine w/ a moist paper towel for the first 5 min, then took it off & turned the potato over- finish baking it for the rem. 5 mins. * Rolled it in a towel to soften it like a prev. tip advised b4 I cut it in half. Just a drip of olive oil/salt/pepper/chives. Amazing! When my oven broke I knew there had to be a way to make a decent b. potato-Thanks!

I always make potatoes in the microwave. I am not sure why a recipe is needed, actually? Microwaves today have a potato button. It allows the microwave to be pre-set for how many potatoes are going to be cooked. For one potato, it shouldn't be a full 10 minutes. Wash the potato well and oil and salt it a little for a better tasting skin. It is also a quick and easy way, to have potatoes ready for hashbrowns or mashed potatoes, when busy. Make them first, and let cool down, and use in recipes calling for boiled potatoes.

Another helpful tip: After washing and pricking potatoes, massage them with olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper. Then put them in the microwave as directed. The oil helps to keep the potato skins nice and supple and it also helps to keep the salt and pepper seasoning in place. This method works well in a conventional oven as well. People who eat the skins will enjoy this cooking method as it leaves the skins tender yet crisp (in the oven). Enjoy!

if you cut an X into the top of the potato about halfway through, it cooks a little faster & when it's done, you just squish it together towards the X with 4 fingers & it opens up perfectly.

Wrap the potato in a wet paper towel. It comes out very moist and delicious.

great time saver! I used one medium white potato(to test) 2 minutes on high each side and then 2 min on 50%. Then I smashed it up with my fork and added some butter...yum!

what a great way to do potatos. i dont want to repeat all the great comments: i agree w/all of them!! my only problem is how to cook 4 at a time? can anyone help... i have a large family. thanx

I followed the baking instructions to a T and my brand new GE Profile microwave caught fire and is now in the trash. My house smells of burnt potato and microwave. Not a good recipe.

Is the potato the size of a canteloupe? You only need 3 1/2 to 4 minutes to cook the potato and believe me the cheese will melt no problem without returning it to the microwave. As a matter of fact it will be too hot to eat right away! 10 minutes + more?? Wayyy too long for 1 potato.

I'm not sure what I did wrong but it came out looking like a sad wrinkled ball. Super disappointed :(

Wow..who would have thought a microwaved potatoe could be so delicious. I was pleasently surprised by this simple recipe. I did wrap mine in plastic wrap and microwaved four minutes on each side. Then I took them out, split them down the middle and put butter and cheese on them. Then I microwaved for another 45 seconds. TASTY!!!!

Easy and yummy. I cooked it for 10 minutes in the microwave and then finished it up in the oven for a few minutes to give the skin that crispiness.

This works great. For a real treat, remove after 6 minutes, brush with oil and rub with sea salt. Bake at 450 for an additional 20 minutes for an extra crispy skin.

Good basic directions. Again I think it still varies on the size of potato and the microwave. I ALWAYS have to cover my potatoe with plastic wrap with a little water on the bottom of the plate. Otherwise if I don't they get hard and never come out soft and fluffy. I think this is just how my microwave is.

When I first saw this recipe, I thought, "this lady is crazy...there's no way you can microwave a "baked" potato!" -but sure enough, you can! Microwave time varies based on your microwave. I microwaved mine for 5 minutes, added the butter and microwaved another 40 seconds. Being eight months pregnant and craving a baked potato at 2am...this recipe kicked butt! Thanks! :0)

I'll try cooking the potato in a paper bag next time but the recipe gets 4 stars as is. Would not recommend cooking anything with plastic wrap touching the food itself as it can cause chemicals to leech into what you're microwaving (even microwave-safe plastic wrap recommends keeping the food 1 inch away from the wrap). I'll use this technique next time I make twice baked potatoes.

I applaud Allrecipies for correcting the error in the original ingredients!

Awesome! I have a powerful microwave, so I microwaved the medium potato for 2.5 minutes on one side, flipped and covered with a wet paper towel and microwaved for another 3.5 minutes. Thanks for the speedy recipe!

I did exactly what the recipe said and it turned out well. I listened to a few user reviews and put some water at the bottom of the plate while microwaving. I poked it with a fork and cooked a large russet on one side for 5 mins and flipped it and cooked it for another 2 mins. I then salted it, put cheese on it then microwaved it for a min, and then put sour cream and crushed bacon on top. Yummy.

Many options to the process and additions to the good old baked spud. I microwave each spud for 4.50 mins, then let sit for two mins wrapped in alumineum foil.

Could never get this right, thanks! Came out perfect.

I agree with those who suggested cutting the cooking time or power. I have a 1200 microwave and cooked it for 5 mins and even lowered the temp after turning it over for the remaining 5mins, and it came out looking like a shriveled up prune and it was hard as a rock!

Unless you want dinner and a show in no particular order, drop the cook time or microwave power as suggested by Rich. Albeit I didn't have a fire, I also didn't see a tasty looking baked potato sitting in the 1250W microwave I used.

Excellent! I wrapped in plastic wrap and "baked" following the instructions. A wonderful potato was the result. I will use this often!

UPDATE: I used this method to cook the potatoes for Baked Potato Soup. Turned out really well! PREVIOUS REVIEW: This recipe as written is only a 3 because the first time I nuked the potatoes, the skin turned tough and chewy. The second time around, I rubbed olive oil on the skin and wrapped them in baking paper with a small tear in the corner to let out steam. I microwaved for the same amount of time, and the potato came out moist; and the skin was not tough and chewy. I will make my baked potatoes like this from now on. This method is sure an energy and time saver with delicious results.

The cook time varies on the size of the potato. I cooked a tiny one in 3 1/2 minutes total, and two medium ones in 11 minutes total. I imagine the ten minute cook time is for quite a large russet potato.

Followed your directions by putting potato on a plate, the plate broke in half. Don't do it.

After microwaving, I like to slice it in half, score the open side, put on some olive oil, and put it face down on the grill for 10 minutes. Then add the butter or cheese.

For a little faster way, put your potato in a ziplock baggy cook for 5 min let set for a couple of min.. my boys are to impatient for anything that take to much time.. enjoy!

I like to scrub potatoes, dry them, put in a fold top sandwich bag, spray with butter flavor oil spray,close bag loosly,one potato 2min. turn over, 2 min more. I normally fix two spuds( med,size) for 3 min,turn over,3 more min, check to see if potatoes are soft

Wow, had no idea how fast I can bake a potato! Great recipe for limited lunch time!

I always always make microwaved baked potatoes, always wrapped in plastic wrap for a moist steamy potato. Topped with whatever I'm in the mood for--butter, broccoli, cheddar, sour cream, even Country Gravy....taco style potatoes yummy yummy!!!

It has been my experience that microwaving a potato on high for a long period of time creates hard spots that are over-cooked. I like to set my microwave to cycle in two stages. The first stage is high for 2 to 4 minutes depending on the size of the potato, then set the oven to half power for a remaining 3 to five minutes (again depending on the size of the potato). Then I wrap them in a clean dish towel to continue cooking and to stay warm until the meat is ready.

Awesome, quick potato! I did what others suggested, I scrubbed and poked the potato with a fork, wrapped the potato in Saran wrap, put it in the microwave with a cup of water for steam (to avoid a fire) heated it for 5 mins, flipped it and heated it for an additional 5 mins. The result? A soft, moist potato trimmed with Mrs Dash, butter, shredded cheese, bacon bits and sour cream :-)

This is one of my hubby's favorite recipes. I literally make this for him 4 times a week! It is a working wife's dream come true. If I happen to have bacon bits I sprinkle those on there but you really don't have to use them.

The potato caught on fire about 8 minutes into the cooking. Ruined the microwave & filled the house with smoke. Do NOT microwave for the full 10 minutes!!

This is one of the fastest best tasting potatos that I have had in a long while. I used a plastic bag to keep it moist and steamy, but cooked without the bag fo the last minute or so to make the skin dryer.

Came out great - cooking time was perfect for 3 large potatoes. Only additional tip: I wrapped the potatoes in a dampened paper towel first to seal in the moisture.

Recipes is good but please, all you reviewers who talk about wrapping a baked potato in plastic bag or wrap. Please research what that does to the potato...very unhealthy for you. Just a friendly warning.

WRAP IN WET PAPER TOWEL! Recipe was great, but if you wrap the potatoe in a wet paper towel before microwaving it will prevent fire, or dry potatos!

My potatoes were huge so I had to microwave them for about 5 minutes more. I used them in baked potato soup.

Been doing this for years too. Add to it though, when I do do it I usually toss in an extra tater for next day breakfast hash browns. In my micro 5-6 minutes works pretty good for 2 medium to large taters flipping em over bout 1/2 way through. I found that chopping up a baked tater in the fridge over night less painful that trying to hack up a fresh hot one. Then just brown em up. I can never get my hash browns done right just hackin n fryin raw taters. Sorry if I got off main topic.

Rubber... Maybe it was the type or size of potato I used, or maybe it was the microwave, but it came out overcooked rubber. Which after 30 seconds turned into a stone. I'm sure if I had paid better attention I could have only done the first 5 mins. Sadly, it was my last potato, so guess I'll try again after I buy more.

This was a good, fast, easy recipe. We enjoyed it very much.

Yum! Great recipe! I've been looking for a good microwave baked potato recipe (I'm too lazy to oven bake them). This is very good. I've never tried a baked potato with cheese on it...I've been missing out. It adds a whole different dimension to the flavor. Thanks!

they were so easy and quick to make.even though I had 4 people to make it for it was fabulous!!!

It only takes 41/2 min for a mid sized potato. I do a large on for about 3 1/2 min per side. I stick a small knife completely thru 3X.

Works! I wrap mine with a damp napkin. I wanted to cook 2 potatoes but didn't want to wait 20 minutes (god forbid) so I had to experiment. I did the recipe as stated then put them in for 2 more minutes in the 3rd microwave ride. Tastes like baked potato to me!

Horrible! DO NOT MAKE!!

I was in a restaurant last week and was given a baked potato that was as hard as a rock. The baked potato from this recipe was great! I read the review from the woman whose potato caught fire so I felt the potato before I set the time for the 2nd cooking. I set the time at 2 minutes and it was literally perfect. Thanks!

This is so perfect. I can now cut an hour and a half off the cooking time of my famous twice baked potatoes! This is simple, easy, and they taste the same as if cooked in the oven.

Surprisingly enough, these were pretty darned good!

super easy and very tasty I like mine with lots of butter, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.

I had to make 3 baked potatoes quickly. So after reading this recipe and several reviews I did the following: I put the 3 scrubbed and pricked potatoes into a casserole with a cover. I added a bit of water at the bottom and covered the casserole. I then nuked them for 8 minutes (we have a pretty powerful micro). I then turned them over, recovered them and nuked them for another 8. Then I let them sit, covered until I was ready to serve. My husband actually commented on them, asking if I used different potatoes since these were the best he'd had. He even ate the skin and he never does that.

I tried this and the potato got way too hot after 5 minutes. It warped my microwave safe plate. I don't recommend using this method.

This recipe is great! I'd never made a baked potato in the microwave but was in need of a quick fix. This worked perfectly and I will definitely use it often.

This actually works!!! I couldn't believe it. I saw a similar recipe where it suggested to cover the potato with a wet napkin it's a great technique it works with most types of potatoes. Sometimes I use small potatoes and mix them with dried oregano, salt, pepper and olive oil (just after taking them out of the microwave).

Amazing, I just put a bit of water at the bottom of the plate for fear of flaming potatoes and it turned out perfect.

My mom always made potatoes for me this way when I was younger. We put the potato in a plastic bag before putting it in the microwave to retain the moisture in the skin. Also, instead of sour cream I use ranch dip and a little katsup on the side. YUM!

very easy, I had 2 russets, put them in for 10 min. I've been doing this for years, never had one catch fire, I wash the potatoes first and don't dry them. Made them twice baked, added all but the sour cream, added Parm, and evap. milk, mashed it all with a fork, nuked for 2 min, mixed, spooned it in the skins, then another 2 min. Very fast and tasty.

Question: The tip on this recipe says, "Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier." I wouldn't think aluminum foil would be a good idea in the microwave. What am I missing?

Turned out great following recipe as written, this will be a frequent part of our evening meals

this receipe is good allowing for the power of the microwave. Personally I took a still moist (from washing) potato and wrapped it in a paper towel, cooking 3 minutes per side, then allowing it to steam for another 3 minutes The other thing I did was to brush the outside of the potato with a little olive oil after taking it out f the microwave, then use a creme brulee torch or blowtorch to crisp the outside, Then split it and let the residual heat melt the cheese using the torch to finish the crust on the cheese

Great tips for what it is. I prefer coating my baked potatoes in olive oil and sea salt and then baking them, but it does take a long time. BF decided spontaneously to toss a couple of steaks on the grill for lunch today, so this recipe did the trick. Another idea is to microwave them until they are about halfway done, then to bake them the rest of the way so that you can speed things up while still getting the oven-baked crispy skin.

Easy as can be....I take the potato out when done and rub with olive oil and Kosher salt and put in a small oven to crisp the skin which my family likes to eat.....thanks

Turned out great following recipe as written, this will be a frequent part of our evening meals

Tip: if your potato is medium, do not cook for 10 mins. Lower to 5 mins!

This was such a great recipe! I get home only an hour before my husband so I do not have the hour and a half the oven baked potato takes.

Yeah! Only take 1/5 of the time required to bake in oven.

Although I prefer a "baked" potato with crispy skin.....this is quick when you have less time. Butter, sour cream, salt and pepper.....no one complains....time saver when needed. Thanks!

Comes out perfect every time!

Wonderful! I needed a quick option for baked potatos. Thank you so much! Only thing I changed is less cook time because I had smallish taters. Turned out perfect

I used the plastic wrap tip and they turned out great! Not quite as good as the oven but considering how quick, they were awesome.

My husband has always done this since I've known him. His trick for steaming it is to wrap potatoes (a few together if they are small) in a paper towel and then run the package under running water (passes through it quickly a couple of times to get a damp paper towel) then puts it in the microwave.

This was a very good tactic very yummy and a tip is try dipping your bite in a1 sauce very delicious:)

Great recipe except for the 10 min - it only took 4mins! Yikes! Glad I read the reviews! Plastic worked great!

Definitely not the same as an authentic baked potato, but choice of toppings can help overcome this.

Great dependable recipe! Keeper.

Always perfect! Made 2 big spuds side by side. Cooked and flipped in increments of 5 mins. Its so fluffy!

I pulled up this recipe for my boyfriend who refuses to wait for the oven to bake a great potato. It works perfectly and the potatoes come out great!

This recipe works great, another tip is to rub the outside of the potato with butter before placing in the microwave, this keeps the skin from getting hard and crusty!

Your microwave baked potatoes are fun to make and delicious to eat. When my Dad and I made them, I wished that it would go on forever. It's a nice way to start off a Saturday ( I slept in until lunch time)! A satisfied 9 year old (Tricia, a member's daughter)

I like to coat my potatos with olive oil and sea salt like I would if I were baking in the oven. I place them in a covered casserole dish to cook in the microwave. I think they cook faster and taste better.

Saves so much time and tastes just as great

Excellent information on the potatoe. The turning of the potato was critical new info. Thanks!