How To Cook Potatoes in the Microwave
Ready in 10 minutes or less
Published: Oct 24, 2024 By: Meera
Making potatoes has never been so easy and fast! No cooking skills are needed. These potatoes are ready in just 10 minutes (or less) and are great for food prepping, snacking, or whipping up to bring a meal together.
The Steps
Note: I cooked two potatoes – one medium and one large. I cut the large one in halves to ensure uniform cooking. These took exactly 6 minutes to cook.
Voila! It’s that easy!
Notes
You can also try cooking…
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Plantains
- Eddoes
- Yams
Cooking times
Cooking times vary depending on the sizes of the potatoes, and how much you are microwaving at once.
When cooking potatoes in singles, small amounts, or small in size, start microwaving for 3 minutes >> if undone, microwave in 2-minute increments, until completely cooked.
When cooking potatoes in large sizes, start microwaving for 6 minutes >>If undone, microwave again for 4-6 minutes >> if still undone >> 2-minute increments until done.
Use your judgment to decide how much more time the potatoes may need based on their doneness levels. We microwave in increments and test in between each increment to prevent overcooking. There aren’t specific timings – just general guidelines.
How to ensure that the potatoes are uniformly cooked?
When cooking multiple potatoes at once, here are a couple of things you can do to ensure that they are evenly cooked:
- Microwave potatoes that are similar in size together.
- When microwaving a much larger potato with smaller ones, cut it in halves.
- You can also microwave the large and small ones together. However, upon testing, you will see that the smaller potatoes are done first. Remove them carefully, then continue to microwave the other(s).
Note: When cutting the potatoes in halves, place the inside part facedown on the plate, or else they will become dry (the steam will escape, thus reducing the water content which will make them less “creamy“).
Microwave-Cooked Potatoes
Ingredients
- Potatoes uncooked
Instructions
- Clean the skins of the potatoes with a kitchen sponge and water.
- Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork (watch those fingers).
- Arrange them on a microwave-safe plate and place them in the microwave.
- If cooking one or multiple small potatoes, start microwaving at 3 minutes. Test with a fork for doneness. If uncooked, continue at 2-minute increments until cooked through. For one or multiple large potatoes, start microwaving for 6 minutes. If undone, continue for 4-6 minutes. If still undone, continue at 2-minute increments until done.
- Serve in salads, deep/ shallow fry, or enjoy just as it is with some ketchup. Sprinkle salt and pepper if you like.
Notes
- You may use any variety of potatoes, including sweet potatoes. Plantains, carrots, eddoes, and yams cook well using this method.
- Potatoes of various sizes can be microwaved together, but, if after the first testing you see some are already done, carefully remove them and continue to microwave the other(s).
- You can cut large potatoes in halves to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. But, place the insides facedown on the plate, or they will become dry (the steam will escape, reducing the water content, making them less “creamy“).
- If you microwave multiple batches of potatoes without giving your microwave a break, it will become overworked and hot. Do not operate the microwave non-stop for too long.
- Do not attempt to microwave too many large potatoes all at once. They will take much longer, and your microwave might not like that.
- To store, wrap the potatoes in aluminium foil or keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Enjoy!
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