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Microwaves cook differently than ovens. So, while you can cook a whole potato in a microwave, it won’t have the qualities of an oven-baked potato.
Unlike ovens, microwaves cook food unevenly. The electromagnetic waves zap food in a random way, meaning that one spot on a potato can heat up very rapidly while another spot barely heats up at all. Thus, a microwaved potato may have spots that are both over- and under-cooked.
The perfect baked potato is made in the oven, but sometimes you need to bake your potatoes faster, and there are steps you can take to get better results in the microwave.
Choose the Right Potato: Russet potatoes work best for microwaving due to their starchy texture, but yellow or red potatoes can also be used.
Wash and Dry: Scrub the potato thoroughly under cold water to remove dirt, then dry it with a towel.
Pierce the Potato: Use a fork or paring knife to poke several holes (about 6-8 times) around the potato. This allows steam to escape and prevents the potato from bursting while cooking.
Optional – Oil and Season: While oiling the skin should be saved for the end when baking potatoes in the oven, to get crispy skin in the microwave rub the potato with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt before cooking.
Microwave on High: Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 5 minutes (for a medium-sized potato). After 5 minutes, flip the potato and continue microwaving for an additional 4-5 minutes.
Check for Doneness: After the total time, check the potato for doneness by gently squeezing it (with a towel or oven mitt) or inserting a fork. The potato should be soft inside. If it’s not fully cooked, microwave in 1-minute intervals until tender.
Rest and Serve: Let the potato rest for a few minutes to finish cooking. Then, cut it open, fluff the insides with a fork, and serve with your favorite toppings.
Even Cooking: For more even cooking when microwaving multiple potatoes, choose ones that are similar in size and shape. Also, make sure they’re spaced evenly on the plate.
Covering: If you want the skin to be softer, cover the potato loosely with a damp paper towel before microwaving.
Don’t Overcook: Overcooking can lead to a rubbery texture, so keep an eye on the time and test for doneness regularly.
This microwaving method ensures a fluffy interior with a nice outer texture!
