Microwave Baked Potato

When you're short on time or patience, waiting an hour or more for an oven-baked potato might seem like a tall order. That's why this recipe is so darn good – you can have a perfectly microwaved baked potato in just a little more than 10 minutes! It sounds too good to be true but, we promise, this recipe is just as good as reviewers say it is.

How to Make a Baked Potato In the Microwave

It couldn't be easier to microwave baked potatoes. You'll find the full recipe below, but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

Prep Potato

Scrub your potato under running water, prick it with a fork, then place it on a microwave-safe plate.

Cook and Cut

Microwave for about 5 minutes, flip it over, and microwave it for about 5 more minutes. Let the potato cool for just a few minutes, until it's safe to handle. Cut the potato lengthwise so that it opens and forms a natural bowl.

Finish With Toppings

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then mash the inside with a fork. Top with butter and Cheddar, then return to the microwave to melt the cheese. Finish it with sour cream and the toppings of your choice.

How Long to Microwave Baked Potatoes

We find that this 10-minute method works well to create a perfectly tender baked potato – 5 minutes on one side, 5 minutes on the other. However, not all microwaves cook at exactly the same power. If you've found in the past that your microwave is more or less powerful than other microwaves, you may want to adjust the recipe by a few minutes.

Best Potatoes for Baked Potatoes

This microwave baked potato recipe calls for a russet potato, and we think that's the best way to go. Russets have thick skin that crisps up nicely in the microwave or in the oven. Plus, they have super starchy insides that'll ensure a perfectly fluffy filling.

Technically, though, you can use any starchy potato you have on hand.

Baked Potato Toppings

Classic baked potato toppings include sour cream, Cheddar, crumbled bacon, and fresh chives. You can get as creative as you want, though! Try chili and shredded cheese for a fun take on a classic comfort food, cooked pulled pork and barbecue sauce to satisfy a barbecue craving, or pico de gallo and black beans for a Mexican-inspired option.

What to Serve With Baked Potatoes

You can eat these microwave baked potatoes as a meal by themselves. Just dress it up with toppings and you're good to go (throw in a Caesar salad or roasted veggies to add a little color to your plate). However, many people like to serve baked potatoes as a side dish, paired with hearty meat-based entrees. If you're in need of a little inspiration, try one of these delicious ideas:

Cast Iron Pan-Seared Steak (Oven-Finished)
Chef John's Salisbury Steak
Garlic Chicken
Easy, No-Mess Baked Salmon
Marinated Baked Pork Chops

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This was great," according to VIOLETSIVA. "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."

"Yum," says ecphan. "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."

"This was soooo good," raves newtshe. "I used olive oil and oregano to flavor the potato. Another reviewer added a tip to place a bit of water on the bottom of the plate to prevent drying out and it worked. Will be cooking another one tomorrow."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams