How to quickly and easily bake potatoes in the microwave oven

Potatoes are quick and easy to prepare in the microwave oven, in fact you can bake them just like in the oven, with a classic cooking, or boiled and cut into cubes, for the preparation of gnocchi or savory pies, but also in parchment paper, to prepare a tasty and delicious side dish in a very short time; in fact, 6 to 8 minutes of cooking at maximum power will be enough for you to obtain delicious potatoes, excellent to accompany your main courses of meat or fish or for other preparations. For best results, choose potatoes of the same size and use suitable containers with a lid. So let’s see how to bake potatoes in the microwave oven with different methods, all very fast.

Whole potatoes in the microwave oven: Two cooking methods to choose

You can bake whole potatoes like in the classic oven baking. Take potatoes of the same size, preferably medium, wash the skin carefully and prick them with a fork, so as not to burst during cooking. Arrange the potatoes on a plate, brush them with extra virgin olive oil and cook at 700 watts or at maximum power, for 6-8 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Check if they are well cooked by piercing them with a fork. For even cooking, turn the potatoes halfway through baking.

For other preparations, wash the potatoes with their skins and put them in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of water and cover with cling film suitable for the microwave oven, prick it and bake at 700 watts for 8 minutes. Once ready, peel the potatoes and use them for your preparations; for 500 grams of potatoes it will take about 7 minutes, but always check the time according to the size of the potatoes.

Boiled diced potatoes in the microwave oven

Alternatively, you can prepare the boiled potatoes in the microwave oven, in this case the potatoes must be cut into cubes. Wash the potatoes, peel them and cut them into pieces of the same size. Place them in a bowl with a little water, about half a finger. Close the container with the lid and operate the microwave oven at maximum power for about 8 minutes.

Tips for best potatoes baking 

For the baking in the microwave oven, you can choose all types of potatoes; it is important, however, to choose them of the same size and not too big, because baking would take too long.

You can add fine salt to microwaved potatoes both before and after cooking.

When you bake whole potatoes in the microwave oven, always remember to prick them.

As for boiled potatoes, the recommendation is to stop cooking at least once to mix them. This way they will cook evenly.

Once the potatoes are baked, leave them for a few minutes in the microwave oven off. The resting time helps to complete the cooking and to make it even.

Once baked in the microwave oven you can enjoy your potatoes with fine salt and extra virgin olive oil, with the addition of aromatic herbs or accompanied by your favorite sauces. With boiled potatoes you can, on the other hand, prepare mashed potatoes, or use them to make desserts, focaccias, and savory pies.

How to store potatoes baked in the microwave oven

You can store microwaved potatoes in the refrigerator for 2 days in an airtight container.