PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Fruits and Vegetables
Potato Dishes
How to Boil Potatoes in the Microwave A guide to boil different types of potato in the microwave 49 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney and Eric McClure
Last Updated: January 30, 2026 References
Preparing Your Potatoes
|
Heating Your Potatoes
|
Checking Your Potatoes
|
Video
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association). There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 142,792 times.
Boiling potatoes in the microwave is an easy way to cook them quickly, whether you want to make mashed potatoes or use them as an ingredient in another recipe. This method requires very little time and preparation, and you can easily boil your potatoes in under ten minutes. To boil potatoes in the microwave, you’ll need a microwave-safe bowl, some plastic wrap, and a small knife to check the potatoes when they’re done cooking.
How Do You Boil Potatoes in the Microwave?
Poke the washed potatoes with a fork, then place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap so steam doesn’t escape. Microwave baby or diced potatoes on high for 2 minutes. For bigger potatoes, microwave on high for 4 minutes.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Preparing Your Potatoes
1 Peel your potatoes if you don’t want the skin on. Leaving the skin on will keep more of the nutrients inside of the potato, and add texture to the potato’s flavor. But if you’re planning on mashing the potato or using it as an ingredient, you’ll probably want to skin them first.[1]XResearch source
2 Find a microwave-safe bowl that will fit all of your potatoes. Most ceramic bowls will work well in the microwave. Try to avoid any kind of plastic that might melt.[2]XResearch source You can usually tell if a bowl is microwave-safe by inspecting the bottom. If it says “microwave safe” or has a symbol with three wavy lines, then it’s safe to use.[3]XResearch source
Never put metal in the microwave.
Advertisement
3 Wash your potatoes thoroughly with water. Wash your potatoes by hand, making sure to cover each part of the potato with water. Do not pat them dry. The layer of moisture left on the potatoes will help them cook evenly.[4]XResearch source
4 Poke each of the potatoes with a fork on all sides. Use a fork to poke several sets of holes around each of the potatoes. If you don’t poke any holes in your potatoes, the pressure and heat may cause them to explode in the microwave.[5]XResearch source
The holes should go deep into the middle of the potato. Depending on the size of your potato, you may want to use a skewer to create deeper holes.
5 Put the potatoes in your bowl. They should still be a little wet from the wash that you gave them, but if they’re drying off at this point, give your potatoes a quick rinse. You can also add a teaspoon of water to the bottom of your bowl before turning the microwave on.[6]XResearch source
The water keeps your potatoes from drying out as they cook, but if they’re totally soaked the water won’t evaporate and you’ll be left with moist potatoes.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Heating Your Potatoes
1 Cover your bowl with plastic wrap. Cover your potatoes with plastic wrap to ensure that the steam doesn’t escape the bowl. This will also help the potatoes boil evenly.[7]XResearch source
Most plastic wraps are microwavable, but check the packaging before using it to cover your potatoes.
2 Set your power to the highest setting. Turn your microwave’s power level to the highest setting available. Some microwaves come with a designated button for potatoes. If you have a specialized button for potatoes, press that instead.[8]XResearch source
3 Select your time based on the size of your potatoes. For smaller diced or baby potatoes, start with two minutes in the microwave. For bigger potatoes, like sweet or russet potatoes, start with four minutes in the microwave.[9]XResearch source
The wattage of your microwave will affect the cooking time required for potatoes. It’s always better to start lower though when it comes to cooking in the microwave. You can always add time, but you can’t undo shriveled and dry food![10]XResearch source
4 Keep an eye on your potatoes while they cook. Potatoes can explode in the microwave if the pressure inside them builds up to high levels. Stay in the kitchen while they microwave to keep an eye on them.[11]XResearch source
Microwaves heat up the inside of the potato first. This means that the pressure will build up inside of the potato as it cooks.[12]XResearch source
An explosion is more likely to occur if the skin is still on or you haven’t poked enough holes in your potato.[13]XResearch source
Watch out for any movement or popping noises in your microwave. That may be the pressure trying to fight its way out of the potato.
Advertisement Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Checking Your Potatoes
1 Use an oven mitt to take your potatoes out and check them. The potatoes will be extremely hot at this point, as will the bowl that they’ve been cooking in. Put on an oven mitt and carefully remove them from the microwave. Put them on the countertop and peel back the plastic wrap away from you.
Open the plastic wrap away from your body and face. There will be a lot of hot steam coming out of the bowl and you don’t want to get burned.
2 Poke your potato with a paring knife to see if it’s done. Take a small paring knife and insert it into one of the potatoes. If there’s barely any resistance when you slide the knife in and out, then your potato is fully boiled. If there’s a little resistance and it’s hard to pull your knife out, microwave them for an additional minute and check again.[14]XResearch source
If you can’t insert your knife at all, the potatoes haven’t cooked at all. Check your microwave’s power level and try cooking them again.[15]XResearch source
3 Allow your potatoes to stand for a few minutes to cool off. Because potatoes have a skin that seals in the heat, they’ll be extremely hot when you take them out of the microwave. Let them stand for 1-2 minutes before touching them or taking any additional steps.[16]XResearch source
Consider garnishing your potatoes with some herbs and spices while they rest. Parsley and a pinch of salt can go a long way to add flavor to this simple dish.[17]XResearch source
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Things You’ll Need
Potatoes
Paring knife (or other small knife)
Oven mitt
Plastic wrap
You Might Also Like
How toBoil PotatoesHow to Make Baked, Roasted, or Mashed Potatoes in the MicrowaveSuper Simple & Delicious Microwave Baked Potato RecipeHow toSteam PotatoesHow toCook Jacket PotatoesHow to Safely Boil Water in the MicrowaveHow toBake PotatoesHow toSteam Vegetables in the MicrowaveHow to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave: Quick & Simple RecipesHow to Cook Russet Potatoes for Crispy and Tender ResultsMicrowave Cooking 101: Everything You Need to KnowHow to Peel a PotatoHow toCook PotatoesHow toBoil Red Potatoes Advertisement
Co-authored by: Markeicha Dulaney Personal Chef This article was co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association). This article has been viewed 142,792 times. 49 votes - 90% Co-authors: 5Updated: January 30, 2026 Views: 142,792 Categories: Potato Dishes In other languagesSpanish
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 142,792 times.
Reader Success Stories
Lynn Palumbo
May 15, 2021
"This is the best and easiest way to make potatoes. I am looking foward to trying the other recipes. Even kids can make this for a snack with some cheese on top or sour cream or even chilli. Or they can help you cook dinner by cooking this easy recipe Get kids interested in cooking early, get them away from junk foods."..." more Rated this article:
Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Markeicha Dulaney Personal Chef Co-authors: 5Updated: January 30, 2026 Views: 142,79290% of voters found this recipe helpful. 49 votes - 90% Click a star to add your vote
Lynn Palumbo
May 15, 2021
"This is the best and easiest way to make potatoes. I am looking foward to trying the other recipes. Even kids can make this for a snack with some cheese on top or sour cream or even chilli. Or they can help you cook dinner by cooking this easy recipe Get kids interested in cooking early, get them away from junk foods."..." more Rated this article: Share yours!
Quizzes & Games
Pizza CalculatorRandom Recipe GeneratorGenerateWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizTake QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How toBoil PotatoesHow to Make Baked, Roasted, or Mashed Potatoes in the MicrowaveSuper Simple & Delicious Microwave Baked Potato RecipeHow toSteam Potatoes
Trending Articles
What Emojis Mean Sex?100+ Flirty Things to Say to a Girl & Boost Her Self-EsteemType A B C D Personality TestKissing Tips: The wikiHow Guide to the Perfect KissHow toTell That Your Crush Likes You BackCat Sleeping Positions: 22 Common Poses Explained
Watch Articles
How toCalculate the Volume of a PyramidThe Best Way to Exfoliate Your Scalp (Plus, What to Use)How toSave Money as a KidHow toPolish Aluminum2 Easy Renter-Friendly Options to Hang Your Window TreatmentsHow to Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint
Trending Articles
Are You Unc? Discover How Old Your Vibe IsWhat's My Hottest Feature QuizGen Beta Slang Quiz24 Different Types of Bras ExplainedHow to Play the Concentrate Game (For A Little Scare!)What Does Your Rice Purity Score Really Mean?
Quizzes & Games
What Pasta Shape Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizTake QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizTake QuizMinecraft Trivia QuizTake QuizGuess the Food QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Fruits and Vegetables
Potato Dishes
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
How to Cook Russet Potatoes for Crispy and Tender Results 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Markeicha Dulaney Personal Chef This article was co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association). This article has been viewed 142,792 times. 49 votes - 90% Co-authors: 5 Updated: January 30, 2026 Views: 142,792 Categories: Potato Dishes In other languagesSpanish 
Generate
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
480 
1 Peel your potatoes if you don’t want the skin on. Leaving the skin on will keep more of the nutrients inside of the potato, and add texture to the potato’s flavor. But if you’re planning on mashing the potato or using it as an ingredient, you’ll probably want to skin them first.[1] 
2 Find a microwave-safe bowl that will fit all of your potatoes. Most ceramic bowls will work well in the microwave. Try to avoid any kind of plastic that might melt.[2] You can usually tell if a bowl is microwave-safe by inspecting the bottom. If it says “microwave safe” or has a symbol with three wavy lines, then it’s safe to use.[3] 
3 Wash your potatoes thoroughly with water. Wash your potatoes by hand, making sure to cover each part of the potato with water. Do not pat them dry. The layer of moisture left on the potatoes will help them cook evenly.[4] 
5 Put the potatoes in your bowl. They should still be a little wet from the wash that you gave them, but if they’re drying off at this point, give your potatoes a quick rinse. You can also add a teaspoon of water to the bottom of your bowl before turning the microwave on.[6] 
2 Set your power to the highest setting. Turn your microwave’s power level to the highest setting available. Some microwaves come with a designated button for potatoes. If you have a specialized button for potatoes, press that instead.[8] 
3 Allow your potatoes to stand for a few minutes to cool off. Because potatoes have a skin that seals in the heat, they’ll be extremely hot when you take them out of the microwave. Let them stand for 1-2 minutes before touching them or taking any additional steps.[16] 