Stop Sleeping On Microwave Baked Potatoes - Here's How To Make Them Taste Restaurant-Quality - Tasting Table

"It feels like an eternity to bake potatoes in the oven. You have to wait and wait and wait to finally get your oven-gloved hands on the steaming hot, golden vegetable and officially kickstart dinner night. Every now and then, we all need a little break away from this antsy slump, and the microwave is just the shortcut for it. Using the microwave will narrow the cook time to just about 10 minutes with no pre-heating necessary. More than just convenient, this brief cook time retains a good deal of the potato's moisture instead of drying it out like the oven."

"The interior remains as fluffy and starchy soft as ever, becoming even more restaurant-worthy when you pile on some unexpected baked potato toppings. Get inspired by Italian cuisine by adding pesto or marinara sauce, or take on a Mexican twist with salsa, pickled jalapeños, and refried beans. Better yet, transport your taste buds to a fancy steakhouse with steak bites, chopped veggies, and a cheese sauce."

"The skin, however, can get soft when cooked in the microwave, but you can remedy that by drizzling oil over it and microwaving the potato for a bit longer. Follow up with a quick round in the oven or the air fryer at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, or until the skin has crisped up to your liking. Whether you use an oven or microwave, pricking your baked potatoes with a fork is always essential. This will release the steam and prevent them from exploding due to pressure build-up. As always, another one of the most important tips you need for delicious baked potatoes is to wipe the washed vegetable thoroughly. This seemingly minuscule step could be the only thing preventing you from ending up with soggy baked potatoes. Once preparation is complete, just put the potato into a microwave-safe bowl, cover the top with a damp paper towel, and start microwaving."

Microwaving whole potatoes cuts cook time to about 10 minutes without preheating and preserves internal moisture for a fluffy, starchy interior. A variety of toppings can transform the potato: pesto or marinara for Italian flavors, salsa and pickled jalapeños with refried beans for Mexican notes, or steak bites with vegetables and cheese for a steakhouse style. Microwave cooking can soften the skin; drizzling oil and finishing for about 5 minutes at 425°F in an oven or air fryer crisps it. Always pierce potatoes with a fork to release steam and dry washed potatoes thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Place potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a damp paper towel before microwaving.

Read at Tasting Table