by Learn how long do you microwave a potato along with tips for getting a perfect microwave potato every time. A baked potato cooked in the microwave cooks quickly and is just as fluffy and delicious as one cooked in the oven.
u can microwave potatoes for 5 minutes on each side. However, cooking time may vary by a few minutes depending on the variety of potato and size of the spud. Cook for an additional minute at a time, until soft, if necessary.
An extensive manual for microwave potato cooking is provided in this article. We have covered everything, including directions and suggestions for serving.
Table of Contents
How Long Should I Put My Potato in the Microwave?
The time required to microwave cook potatoes depends on the potatoes themselves. More quickly than larger potatoes, smaller potatoes cook. The amount of time required will depend on how many potatoes you are cooking. A stronger microwave will complete the task more quickly as well.
One medium-sized potato will cook in about seven minutes in a standard microwave oven on full power. After seven minutes, check it by inserting a fork down the middle. Place it back in the microwave for additional 45-second intervals if it is not yet tender to ensure completion of cooking.
| Potato Size | How Long to Microwave |
| One large potato | 10 to 12 minutes |
| Two large potatoes | 14 to 16 minutes |
| Four medium potatoes | 10 to 12 minutes |
| 6 to 8 small potatoes | 6 to 8 minutes |
Note: For a typical microwave oven, these are the times. Subtract one or two minutes for a larger, more potent microwave. For smaller, tabletop models, you’ll also need to allocate a few extra minutes.
Start checking the potatoes after 7 or 8 minutes if you are cooking a variety of potato sizes. When they are all cooked, remove the ones that are tender and cook the remaining ones for an additional minute.
Read More: How Long to Boil Water in Microwave?
Microwave Strength/Power
How long you should microwave a potato will also depend on the power of your microwave.
Microwaves don’t differ significantly from one another, despite some variation. Potatoes should be heated on HIGH because of their density.
They will cook through much faster in this situation than in other circumstances.
Is It Better to Bake a Potato in the Oven Or Microwave?
There are some serious advantages to microwave potatoes:
- The process is much faster than traditional oven baking and requires minimal effort.
- The potatoes come out just as soft and tender.
- It keeps your kitchen cool on a hot day, since the oven stays off.
The only drawbacks are that you can’t cook in bulk and the skin won’t be as crispy as it would be if baked in the oven.
The best method for baking potatoes is when you want the skin to be nice and crispy or when you are cooking in large quantities. But plan on baking for at least an hour!
Is It Safe to Microwave a Potato?
Yes, it is secure to microwave potatoes. Use microwave-safe dishes only, and stay away from foil. Always poke holes into the potatoes to allow steam to escape; otherwise, there is some risk the potato could break apart or explode due to pressure buildup.
How to Microwave a Potato
Potatoes are incredibly simple to microwave. If you want a perfect microwave-baked potato, here’s what you should do:
- Scrub and clean the potatoes. The potatoes must be thoroughly washed and scrubbed with a brush to remove any dirt before cooking them with the skin on. Use a knife to remove any spots from the skin if there are any.
- Pat the potatoes dry.
- With a fork, prick the potatoes. This action is crucial, as we have already stated. If you don’t, the potato will explode in your microwave, making a mess.
- Dot the potatoes with olive oil. Bacon grease can be used to add flavor if you don’t feel like a bold, rich olive oil flavor.
- Season with salt and pepper, and any other spices that strike your fancy.
- Microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes on High setting. Make sure the plate you’re using is microwave-safe. To prevent the potato from rolling, line it with a paper towel.
- To cook the potatoes uniformly, flip. The potato gets very hot. Flip it using a fork.
- For an additional 3 to 5 minutes, microwave. The majority of potatoes can be fully cooked in 3 additional minutes if you are only cooking one potato. If there is more than one potato on your plate, microwave for up to an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove the potatoes from the microwave and serve.
You ought to have a soft, tasty baked potato in no time if you follow this procedure exactly.
Tips for Cooking Potatoes in the Microwave
It’s simple to microwave potatoes. It appears that there is no need to simplify things. However, as for everything you cook, there are tips and tricks to make the process even simpler:
Tip 1
When cooking multiple potatoes at the same time, choose ones that are of similar size. You can ensure that they are all cooked equally in this way.
If you microwave potatoes of different sizes, make sure to take out the smaller ones a few minutes early.
Tip 2
To easily peel a potato baked in the microwave, do it with a paper towel. The potato can be easily peeled while still hot by using a paper towel to remove the skin. A fresh kitchen towel is another option.
This method won’t work with potatoes that are not hot. With a knife, peel potatoes that have cooled.
Tip 3
If you are going to bake potatoes in the microwave to later stuff them with various ingredients, don’t poke them with a fork or knife before baking. Instead, make a long and deep cut from one end to another.
When the potato is still hot, you can easily open it and add your preferred toppings.
Tip 4
Boiling potatoes is made simple by putting the cleaned and prepped potato along with a cup of water on a microwave-safe plate. The potato should be poked, remember?
The steam will cook the potato and make it softer than a microwave without water would. Additionally, it will stop the skin from wrinkling.
Tip 5
An easy way to microwave a few spuds at a time is by using a microwaveable, resealable bag.
Wash and peel the potatoes. When placing them in the bag, avoid patting them dry. The potatoes will cook well because of the steam created by the water droplets inside the bag.
Also, don’t zip the bag all the way through. To let the steam out, leave the corner unlocked. It will melt if you keep the steam inside the bag.
Tip 6
Baking potatoes in the oven takes a long time. However, it makes the skin of the potato delightfully crispy. So, should you sacrifice the crispy skin of potatoes for cooking them for 10 minutes in the microwave?
You can achieve the best of both worlds, but you shouldn’t.
While your potatoes are cooking in the microwave, preheat the oven to 425 °F. Once they are ready, transfer them from the microwave straight on the baking sheet and into the oven to get them all crispy, in half the time.
Tip 7
If you are not smearing the potato with oil before microwaving it, it is preferable to not pat it dry. A small amount of water that is left on the skin helps to keep wrinkles at bay.
Final Words on Microwaving a Potato
The information you now possess about microwaveable potatoes is crucial.
But you might not know what else to do with a potato if you don’t know how long to microwave it for.
Here is a very simple step-by-step tutorial for microwave potato cooking to assist you.
Several different potato recipes can be prepared in the oven, but this one focuses on the straightforward process of cooking a potato until it is soft. (For a few more recipe ideas, keep reading or scroll down.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Bake 4 Potatoes in the Microwave?
Four medium potatoes only require 10 to 12 minutes in the microwave as opposed to four large potatoes, which require 18 to 22 minutes. Depending on the power of your microwave oven, you may need to slightly adjust these times.
How Long to Microwave a Sweet Potato?
Since sweet potatoes come in a wide range of sizes, cooking time will be impacted. An average sweet potato will cook in about 7 minutes. Reheat it for a further minute at a time until tender if necessary.
