Baked Potatoes

Has anyone ever made baked potatoes in the microwave successfully? I got a recipe that says to pierce the potatoes with a fork, microwave for 5 minutes, flip and microwave 5 minutes more. Does it work? I don't want to get all worked up and ready for a yummy dinner and have it not work out. But 90 minutes in the oven is a long time! Any ideas?

my mom used to do potatoes like that, but i can't remember how long she'd put them in for. i don't think i really realized that baked potatoes could be made in the oven until i met my boyfriend. silly.

That's how I always make 'em. I stick 'em in a plastic baggie first though, it seems to keep 'em more moist. I weigh them, find the ounces, push "potatoe" on the microwave, then type in the amount of ounces the potatoe(s) was/were. It doesn't tell me how long they're in though ... I would just check 'em at 5 minutes, n check 'em again every couple minutes after ... they're done when they're soft after stickin' 'em with a fork.

I put a small bowl of water in the middle, then line the potatoes around it, punch in the weight under baked potato and push start. Usally for 2 medium, takes 8-10 minutes

Awesome! No more waiting! Silly question.... doesn't the baggie melt?

kist6084... "baked" potatoes.. lmao!! That's great!

Our grocery stores are now carrying potatoes wrapped in plastic for this purpose.  You just pop it in the microwave for 7 minutes and its done.  I like to crisps the skin a little so once its done I remove the plastic and rewrap in foil and place in the oven with a little spray butter and salt.

Check out your store and see if they have them too.  I keep them on hand for emergency snacks.  I love to pop on in the microwave eat it with salsa on top.  YUMM!!!!!!

I don't even wrap mine in a baggie or put water in the microwave, but I 'bake' my potatoes like this most of the time.  I actually like them better this way.

That's the ONLY way I bake mine ~ it takes WAY too long in the oven and with the price of propane - I can't afford it!  I wrap mine in saran wrap and poke a few holes with a fork.  I usually cook 4 medium potatoes at a time and it takes 10-15 minutes.  Just poke them with a fork to check for doneness, just like you would in the oven. 

I just kinda poke them with a fork, put then in a dish, and nuke them until they're soft.  *shrugs*  How long that takes depends on how big they are, and how many I'm making.

Unfortunately, then I have to go and ruin them with cheese and Bacos. . . but I've improved on how much of each I put on, and I no longer put butter. . . so I guess I'm getting better ^_^ .

Hey I posted this in the weight loss section but I think it is more appropriate for this one :) I found it in Shape magazine.

Quick and easy method for making healthy french fries:

Cut sweet potatoes in strips (like french fries), add salt and herbs of your choice (I like garlic powder and oregano), toss in little olive oil, and bake on the baking sheet for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees turning once after the first 10 minutes. Or, you can use white potatoes (not the young kind) but I haven't tried that, plus from what I understand, sweet potatoes are healthier (sweeter, too)!
some info about sweet potatoes:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/foods_v iew/0,1523,40,0 0.html

ps: I know it's not quiet what you asked but I think it still relates. it's quick (20 vs 40 min) but I have tried the microwave-baked potatoes and it was ok for a quickie :)

I do it all the time.  The length of time depends on your microwave.  Mine will cook a medium size potato in 3 minutes.  I usually turn it over half way through or the bottom gets too done.  If you don't pierce the skin you may have the potato split open and make a mess inside your oven.

I like a veggie platter with a baked potato topped with ricotta cheese (nice and creamy and not as salty as cottage cheese) and fresh snipped chives, surrounded by steamed broccoli and carrots.  It makes a pretty and very generous plate!  Just watch the size of that potato!  If they are large, I only have half.

Claire

I cook for 2 people, so I put 2 medium-sized potatos in the microwave
for 1 minute. I then wrap them each in foil (shiny-side facing the
potatos to help keep the heat in). I then put in the overn for 30
minutes at 200 C to crisp up the outside. The foil helps keep the
moisture in, and you get really fluffy potatos that are still moist
inside and so don't need any butter :-) 

I ended up finding the potatoes that are prewrapped for the microwave this weekend! I can't wait to try this with some salad or something. Thanks for all the advice! I got some sweet potato too so I'm gonna try your idea crazyflute!!

glad you found a more convenient way Pam!:) let us know how it turns out meanwhile I am going to have some dark chocolate right now LOL

  Whoever gave you the 5 minute numbers hadn't cooked potatoes.  I'm addicted to baked potatos so I'll tell you.  Pierce three slits on the top and three on the bottom with a knife.  If it's a small potato it's fine with 2 minutes on either side.  If it's bigger do two minutes on one side and three on the other.  That's all you really need to know. 

I've been told many times my baked potatoes are the best so take note. I never pierce them, find it tends to dry them out. Also if they're not pierced the skin sort of goes all loose and the inside very soft. I do them for about 4 and a half minutes on each side. Sometimes though they need a little more or less depending on the size. Perhaps try putting the power down on the microwave to cook through.
After the microwave i rub a little half fat butter on the outside (pierce them so some of the butter runs through) then sprinkle a little paprika on, wrap in foil and bake in the oven (on a tray so the bottom crisps up) for approximately 5 minutes.  They're great served with baked beans mixed with a little paprika.

15-20 mins. in the micro. just make sure to poke holes in them before putting them in.