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How to Microwave a Potato (Recipe + VIDEO)
Here are the quick and easy steps with no-fail tips for how to cook fluffy fork-tender baked potatoes in the microwave or air fryer. Plus our favorite baked potato toppings!
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
9 mins
Servings: 1 potato
Calories: 138 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 6-8 ounce potato
- 1 pat of butter
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Microwave baked potato instructions -
- Wash and dry the potato, but do not peel it. Pierce it several times with a fork to create vent holes.
- Place the potato in the microwave on a clean glass microwave tray, or place it on a paper towel.
- Microwave on high heat for 7 to 8 minutes. If the tray in your microwave rotates, there is no need to stop the cooking process. However, if there is no rotating tray in your microwave, stop the microwave and turn the potato at the 4-minute mark.
- Check the potato at 7 minutes. If you can insert a fork fully into the center of the potato, it’s done. If not, microwave another one to two minutes until soft.
- For basic baked potatoes, cut a slit in the top of the potato. Gently squeeze the potato to loosen the potato flesh. Add a pat of butter to the potato and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. However, feel free to add as many exciting toppings as you so desire!
Cup of Yum
Air fryer baked potato instructions -
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Wash and dry the potato, then pierce the potato several times with a fork.
- Once the air fryer is hot, place a potato in the air fryer and bake for 35 minutes. Check the potato, and if a fork can be inserted all the way to the center, the potato is done. If not, continue to bake for another five minutes.
Notes
- If cooking multiple potatoes at the same time you may need to add an additional 1 to 3 minutes to the cooking time.
- Cooked potatoes are great to include in your meal prep planning! Once they are completely cool, transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1pc
Calories
138kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
30g
(10%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.2g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
2mg
(1%)
Sodium
17mg
(1%)
Potassium
716mg
(20%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
28IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
34mg
(38%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1potato
Amount Per Serving
Calories 138
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pc | |
| Calories | 138kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 2mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 17mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 716mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 28IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 34mg | 38% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.