Parker Feierbach You could spend 15 minutes preheating your oven and then another hour baking your potato, but why would you ever do that when you can microwave your potato in just 7 minutes? Especially in the summer when the days are already hot enough on their own, a microwave is a perfect alternative to baking without the intense blast of oven heat.
- Wash it. You’ll need to clean your potato first, especially if you like to eat your baked potato with the skin on.
- Give it a thorough scrub to get all the nitty-gritty off, rinse well, and dry well. Poke it.
- With a fork, stab your potato all over: this helps the steam escape during the heating process to prevent a potato explosion inside your microwave and helps the potato take on a fluffier texture when cooked.
It’s an important step so don’t skip it! If you want the skin to turn a little crispy, be sure your potato is totally dried off from the wash, then massage it with a little bit of oil right before it hits the microwave. Microwave it. We like a traditional russet potato for our baked potato, but you can really give any tuber variation this same treatment—depending on the size and density of your potato, cooking times will vary.
Start with 3 or 4 minutes, then flip the hot potato with a pair of tongs and continue with an additional 3 minutes of cooking time, adding more time as necessary to get the perfect tender, creamy, baked potato. Top it. Go easy or go crazy with the toppings, your choice! Just because you’ve made a meal in the microwave doesn’t mean it can’t be exciting.
Load it up plain and simple with a bit of butter, a dollop of sour cream, a pinch of salt and pepper, and your favourite fresh herbs. Or add some cheese and pop it back in the microwave for a minute to get melty, then top with crispy bacon. Or, opt for the roads less travelled: pesto with freshly grated Parmesan, a smear of miso and a sprinkling of furikake, or serve with a runny sunny-side up egg and a drizzle of hot sauce.
How long do 2 potatoes take in the microwave?
Instructions –
- Scrub the potatoes. Poke each potato 5-6 times with a fork – I do it a few times on each side. Place potatoes directly onto the microwave plate.
- Microwave on high. The time depends on the number of potatoes and the size of your potatoes. For 1 medium-sized potato, start with 5-6 minutes. For 2 medium-sized potatoes, start with 10-11 minutes microwave time. For 4 potatoes, start with 15-16 minutes in the microwave. When the time is up, get a towel or oven mitt and gently squeeze the sides of the potato. If it gives without resistance and starts to open up, it’s ready. If it still seems a bit firm, return to the microwave for another minute at a time until tender.
Can you microwave a raw potato?
An Easy Recipe for Steam Cooked Potatoes in the Microwave – Cook Time: 10 minutes Cook’s Tip: Be sure all the Creamer potatoes are approximately the same size for even cooking. If sizes vary or you wish to cook more than a 1.5 lbs bag, then cook in batches. You Need: 12 to 16 cup microwave-safe bowl with lid, spoon, and a sharp knife. Serves: 4 to 6 Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs your favorite varietal Little potatoes
- 1 Tbsp water
- 2 Tbsp butter or margarine
- 2 Tbsp chopped chives or green onion, if desired Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Place whole Little potatoes in a microwave-safe container with a lid and large enough to hold Creamers in two layers maximum. Otherwise, cook in batches for best results.
- Add water.
- Set timer for five minutes and microwave on high.
- Carefully remove cover (the dish will be hot!). With a sharp knife test for doneness, the knife should pierce skin easily and potatoes will be soft inside.
- If not, stir potatoes and increase cooking time by 30 second intervals, testing until done.
- Stir in butter or margarine. You can also add chives or chopped green onion, if desired.
- Season to taste and enjoy!
Can you overcook a potato in the microwave?
Can You Overcook A Baked Potato In The Microwave? – It is possible to overcook a potato in the microwave. Keep the cooking time to under 10 minutes and flip the potato halfway. “Baking” a potato in the microwave is convenient and easy when you’re hungry and tired.
Do you need to add water when microwaving potatoes?
Drying out the potato – Even though the processes are the same, a microwaved potato will come out slightly different than that same potato cooked in boiling water. For one thing, you can microwave potatoes without any additional water. All you need to do is place them in the microwave on a microwave-proof bowl.
- As such, the potatoes won’t be able to absorb any additional moisture (which they would do to some extent when boiled in water).
- What’s more, microwaves do dry out food a little.
- Because they heat up water so well, some of that water will evaporate.
- Drying out a potato (or at least not adding any extra water), has a lot of advantages if you’re planning to continue cooking that potato! When you’re frying, whether that’s in a pan or deep-fryer, you spend a lot of energy evaporating moisture.
The moisture needs to be evaporated to get a crispy outside. If your potato starts with less water, you need to evaporate less. Also, it runs less of a risk to stick to a pan. Did you know that a well-developed ready-to-heat meal for a microwave has a different optimal composition than one for the oven or stovetop? Developers might use a little extra water or design the packaging shape in such a way that the waves can travel through optimally! Sign up to our weekly newsletter to be updated on new food science articles.
Can I peel a potato and then microwave it?
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 298 | Calories |
| 13g | Fat |
| 42g | Carbs |
| 6g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label ×
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 298 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 13g | 16% |
| Saturated Fat 8g | 39% |
| Cholesterol 34mg | 11% |
| Sodium 92mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrate 42g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber 4g | 15% |
| Total Sugars 4g | |
| Protein 6g | |
| Vitamin C 18mg | 91% |
| Calcium 81mg | 6% |
| Iron 2mg | 11% |
| Potassium 1073mg | 23% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet.2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.) Food cravings aren’t always convenient, and sometimes there isn’t enough time to prep. Or maybe a last-minute dinner is coming together, and you need a delicious and easy side dish.
Luckily, it’s possible to cook potatoes in the microwave for quick, moist, and creamy no-pot mashed potatoes. This universally and internationally beloved dish has endless variations, but the classic mashed potatoes are a timeless offering that goes perfectly with any protein—from a rotisserie chicken to steak, fried fish, lamb, or vegetarian curries —and can convert a simple dinner into an unforgettable meal.
Our microwave recipe has many advantages, time being just one. You can use any type of potato —whether they’re peeled russets, Yukon Golds, or even unpeeled red potatoes—steam them in the microwave, and simply mashed them with milk, butter, and seasonings.
Is it better to bake a potato in the oven or microwave?
Click Play to See This Fast and Easy Baked Potato Come Together – The only problem is they take an hour to cook, which requires planning ahead. If you’re trying to get dinner on the table in a hurry, there is actually a method you can employ: Use the microwave to speed up the cooking process, cutting the baking time in half.
While microwaving to completely cook the potato will result in a soft and mealy Russet, cooking in the microwave for just 5 to 6 minutes before placing in the oven keeps the potato’s original texture. Drizzling with olive oil and sprinkling with salt before baking at 400 F will allow the skin to get nice and crisp.
The Spruce
How long does it take to microwave 5 potatoes?
Easy Microwave Baked Potato – This Easy Microwave Baked Potato recipe makes soft, fluffy potatoes with crispy skins in minutes. Perfect for loaded baked potatoes or a quick simple side dish! Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 12 mins Total Time 17 mins Course Side Dish Cuisine American Servings 4 Calories 177 kcal
4 medium russet potatoes 1 teaspoon olive oil optional 1 teaspoon sea salt optional
Scrub potatoes well under running water, and pat dry Use fork to poke holes evenly over potatoes Place potatoes on a microwave safe plate, and cook on full power for 5 minutes. Turn potatoes over, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked through and soft when poked. If not, cook in 1-minute increments until done Remove from oven, and cover with foil for about 5 minutes or until ready to serve Optional – For crispy skins, rub olive oil over cooked potatoes, place on baking sheet, and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in 400 degree oven until skins are crispy
For small potatoes, cook for 8 minutes – 4 minutes per side. For large to extra large potatoes, cook for 15 to 18 minutes. For one medium potato, try cooking for 3 minutes before turning over and cooking for another 2 minutes. Microwave cook times vary with wattage.
Why you shouldn’t microwave potatoes?
Leftover Potatoes – Don’t worry, you can still speed-cook your spuds in the microwave, But if you decide to reheat them later, take steps to keep them from becoming dangerous. Potatoes often house Clostridium botulinum, the botulism bacteria. When they’re cooked and not immediately stored in the fridge, spores of the bacteria can multiply.
- Microwaving the potatoes won’t kill the bacteria either, so your second-day potatoes could cause an upset stomach.
- How to heat: Move cooked potatoes that won’t be eaten into the fridge as quickly as possible.
- Don’t let them sit at room temperature for hours on end.
- Reheat in the oven.
- A general note: Don’t bake potatoes in an aluminum foil jacket.
According to research, the tin catches moisture and accelerates spore growth in the warm, moist environment. For a crispier potato skin—and for the sake of your tummy—bake potatoes without the foil jacket.
How long does it take to microwave 3 large potatoes?
Rub the potatoes all over with a little olive oil. Generously sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper. Microwave for 5 minutes. Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and microwave at full power for 5 minutes.
How long does it take to cook a baked potato in a 1000 watt microwave?
But I don’t want to cook just one microwave potato. I want moreeeeee! – Of course you do, who doesn’t? No problemo. When adding potatoes, just up the time. For example: you’d like to add one more large potato. Add four minutes. To add two more large potatoes, add eight minutes (I wouldn’t cook more than three large potatoes at the same time).
To add a medium potato, add three minutes. To add two, add six minutes. To add three, add nine minutes. And so on. To add a small potato, add two minutes. To add two, add four minutes.3 more potatoes is an extra six minutes. And so on. When adding extra potatoes just add or remove one minute for each potato for every 200w difference.
For example – you want to add more large potato in an 800w microwave – add five minutes instead of the usual four.
Will microwaving potatoes make them soft?
3. Parcook in the Microwave – You can’t count on the microwave to adequately cook a potato (trust me, I tried ), but you can count on it to soften the potato, making it ready for the next step, whether that’s smashing and roasting it or baking it in the oven, 
Can you eat raw potatoes?
It’s not the best idea to eat raw potatoes – 
Atlas Studio/Shutterstock While potatoes can be eaten raw, per LIVESTRONG, one should do so in moderation due to certain risks. According to the outlet, raw potatoes contain lectins, an antinutrient present in all raw plants, which can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Since much of a plant’s lectin content gets destroyed by cooking, eating cooked potatoes doesn’t run the same risk of side effects.
- Another toxic compound found in raw potatoes, according to Healthline, is solanine, produced when potatoes — which are supposed to grow completely underground — are exposed to too much sunlight.
Potatoes high in solanine have a green tinge to them, the website explains, and eating them raw should be avoided if you don’t want to experience uncomfortable side effects such as drowsiness and itchiness. Some cooking methods, like frying, can destroy solanine in potatoes.
Still, as both Healthline and LIVESTRONG note, raw potatoes do contain some healthful compounds. For example, they’re loaded with resistant starch, which acts as a prebiotic and helps feed the healthy bacteria that populate your gut. They also contain high amounts of vitamin C, that immune-boosting vitamin, a lot of which gets destroyed when potatoes are cooked.
We can’t think of many examples of raw potato dishes — in fact, the typical Sichuan Chinese-flavored shredded potato salad is one of the only ones we can think of — but if you really want to dig into raw spuds, it’s suggested to do so in moderation.
Do you have to poke holes in potatoes before baking?
Experts weigh in on the chances of a spud explosion. – Updated on January 2, 2019 Photo: Banar Fil Ardhi / EyeEm/Getty Images For most of us, it’s second nature to poke a few holes in the skin of a potato before baking it. We learned early on that not doing so could result in scary consequences.
- A steamy, potato-ey explosion is not something anybody wants in their oven at dinner time.
- According to conventional wisdom, a few quick jabs to a potato with a fork allows steam to escape as it cooks.
- But culinarians are divided as to the necessity of the prick.
- Has anybody actually experienced a baked potato explosion and lived to tell the tale? Is it just another cooking myth? The great minds at Food52 recently set out to answer this debate once and for all.
After their own failed experiment at settling the prick or not-to-prick debate, they consulted a true potato expert: Brennan Smith, a faculty member of the School of Food Science at University of Idaho. “Yes, it’s good to prick them,” Smith told Food52,
“It pokes holes in the skin, which allows steam to escape. Otherwise, they could explode—it doesn’t happen all the time, but it happens every once in a while. The potato is full of water it’s trying to turn to steam, or water vapor. The skin acts like a pressure vessel. If you don’t let the steam escape, it builds up pressure—if it gets to a certain point of pressure from the water trying to become water vapor, it can pop the skin.” WATCH: 6 Mistakes You’re Making With Mashed Potatoes Smith added that an explosion is more likely to happen in a microwave than in an oven.
Microwaves heat faster, giving the pressure less time to escape naturally. And it doesn’t matter what kind of potato you’re working with either. Spuds of all shapes and sizes should get pricked. In conclusion, will an un-pricked potato explode when you cook it? Maybe, but that’s not a risk most of us are willing to take.
How long do I microwave 3 potatoes?
More Quick Microwave Recipes –
- Microwave Sweet Potatoes
- Broccoli in the Microwave
- Cauliflower in the Microwave
- Corn on the Cob in the Microwave
- Green Beans in the Microwave
- Carrots in the Microwave
▢ Medium-to-large baking potato scrubbed and dried*
- Pierce potato all over with a fork before placing it directly into the microwave. If cooking more than one potato at a time, make sure that the potatoes are in a single layer and not touching.
- Cook the potato for 3 to 4 minutes and then carefully flip and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. For every extra potato you’re cooking, add 1 minute for each side.*
- Use a knife to pierce the potato and check for doneness. The potato should feel tender (but not mushy) all the way through.
- If the potato is finished, allow it to sit for 1 minute to cool slightly before removing it from the microwave. If still hard, continue to cook in 1-minute increments until the potato is tender.
For Crispy Skin: Preheat your oven to 425°F and cook the potato(es) in the microwave according to the recipe instructions. Once cooked, rub your potato with olive oil—it will be hot, so handle with care! Sprinkle generously with salt (preferably coarse salt) and place the potato on a baking sheet.
- 2 potatoes for 4 to 5 minutes per side
- 3 potatoes for 5 to 6 minutes per side
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How do you cook multiple potatoes in the microwave?
Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel or dish towel to keep them moist while they cook. Microwave the potatoes on high. Start with five minutes for one potato and add two minutes to the cook time for every additional potato you’re microwaving at once.