Free shipping on orders over $75*

Microwave Baked Potato

A soft, fluffy baked potato in an Anyday dish, cooked in the microwave for a quick, easy meal.
Pesto Butter Baked Potato
PT2M PT8M

Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

8-9 mins

Free Time

to initiate a discussion about the best type of potatoes for mashing.

Need help?

Microwave Baked Potato

Be the first to review this recipe!

A microwave-baked potato is the fastest way to get a soft, fluffy interior without waiting an hour for the oven. Using an Anyday dish, the lid traps steam, cooking the potato evenly in under 10 minutes—no poking, wrapping, or preheating required. Serve as a simple side dish, load it with toppings, or crisp the skin in the oven for extra texture.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

Recommended Products

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Pairs well with

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1 whole Russet (10-12 oz)
  • 1 whole Russet (10-12 oz)
  • 2 whole Russets (10-12 oz each)
  • 3 whole Russets (10-12 oz each)
  • 4 whole Russets (10-12 oz each)
✕

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w
  • 700w
  • 800w
  • 900w
  • 1000w
  • 1100w
  • 1200w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 whole Russet potato (10-12 oz)
  • toppings of choice, as needed

Preparation

  1. Wash the potatoes well to remove loose dirt and sprouts.
  2. Place the cleaned potato, still wet, in the Anyday dish and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave for 8-9 minutes, or until the potato is/are fork-tender.
  4. Once ready, carefully cut into the top of the potato without splitting it in half. Gently push the two opposite ends of each potato toward each other to expose the potato’s fluffy interior and release steam.
  5. With a fork, gently fluff the inside with some butter or olive oil, then fill with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, butter, or cheese.

Suggestions

  • Classic: Top with the classic sour cream, chives and cheese for a steakhouse-worthy side dish.
  • Build-Your-Own Bar: Set up a topping bar with a variety of options such as crispy bacon, steamed broccoli, queso, chili, shredded chicken, and more, allowing everyone to customize their baked potatoes to their liking.
  • Cheesy Pizza: Turn your baked potato into a cheesy pizza by topping it with marinara sauce, mini pepperoni slices, and melted mozzarella cheese, creating a delicious and indulgent meal.
  • Loaded Veggies: Top your baked potato with cooked mushrooms, asparagus, onions, and spinach, then finish it off with a dollop of creamy avocado for a nutritious and flavorful meal.

Recipe Notes

  • The cooking time is determined by the size of the potatoes. If you are cooking smaller or bigger potatoes than listed in this recipe, you may need to add or subtract 2-4 minutes accordingly.
  • If you want to halve your potatoes before cooking them, reduce the cook time by 2-4 minutes on each serving size.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Whole Potatoes

See for yourself— microwaving potatoes is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 8-10 mins
Oven* 30-45 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 30-45 mins
Stovetop* 25 mins
*Includes preheat time
Shop Anyday

All You Need to Know About Making Baked Potatoes in the Microwave

Ingredient Cook Time
1 whole Russet potato (10-12oz) 7-8 mins
2 whole Russet potatoes (10-12oz each) 13-14 mins
3 whole Russet potatoes (10-12oz each) 21-22 mins
4 whole Russet potatoes (10-12oz each) 26-27 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

Is a microwave-baked potato as good as an oven-baked potato?

Yes! While the microwave won’t crisp the skin like the oven, it cooks the interior faster, keeping it soft and creamy. For crispy skin, bake in the oven for a few minutes after microwaving.

Can I cook different types of potatoes in the microwave?

Yes! Russet, Yukon Gold, red, and Kennebec potatoes all work well. Cooking times may vary slightly, but the method remains the same.

Do I need to wash potatoes before microwaving?

Yes! Rinse potatoes under cold water and scrub to remove dirt. Keeping the skin on preserves nutrients and helps the potato hold its shape while cooking.

Do I need to poke holes in the potato before microwaving?

No! When using an Anyday dish, piercing isn’t necessary. The lid regulates steam, cooking the potato evenly without drying it out.

Can I use this method for sweet potatoes?

Absolutely! Microwave-baked sweet potatoes follow the same method but may cook 2-3 minutes faster depending on size.

Should I wrap a potato before microwaving?

No! Wrapping isn’t needed when using an Anyday dish. The lid locks in moisture, cooking the potato evenly without foil or plastic wrap.

How do I know when a potato is fully cooked in the microwave?

A fully cooked potato should be soft and easy to pierce with a fork. If it's still firm, microwave for 1-2 more minutes and check again.

How do I store leftover microwaved potatoes?

Store leftovers covered in an Anyday dish in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave until warm, checking periodically for even heating.

Is microwaving potatoes safe?

Yes! Microwaving preserves more nutrients than baking or boiling. It’s an energy-efficient method that uses steam to cook, requiring less oil for a healthier option.

Want more potato recipes?

More potato recipes

What Customers Are Saying

© 2025 Anyday Meyer Corporation, U.S. 2023. 
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Venmo
  • Visa