My husband, Andy, and I love a good baked potato. Sometimes I add Chickpea “Chicken” or “Tuna” Salad, and Andy loves his with a big spoonful of vegetarian baked beans, a la the British jacket potato. Other times we’ll add one of our 15-Minute Skillet Stews. But a good baked potato loaded with plant-based butter, sliced scallions, salt, and pepper can be a satisfying, light dinner alongside a salad and steam-sautéd or roasted veggies.
Here’s the thing: the oven method gives you that lovely crisp, salty skin that’s got you eating the whole potato, but it takes an hour and emits a great deal of CO2. The microwave cooks a potato in about eight minutes and emits fourteen times less CO2 than the oven, but you don’t get the crispy skin! What to do?
While we don’t like the leathery texture of fully microwaved potatoes, we wholeheartedly endorse the microwave for efficiently par-cooking while the oven preheats. Just eight minutes on high power and potatoes are piping hot and just starting to soften.
Then, thirty minutes in the oven is plenty of time for the potato to turn soft and fluffy and the skin to bake up irresistibly crisp. It will also free up time to make one of the full-flavored sauces that transform a plain tuber into a hearty, satisfying main course. Faster, delicious, and better for the planet.
There’s actually a quicker method you can employ when you plan to serve baked potatoes: Use the microwave to speed up the cooking process, which pretty much cuts the baking time in half.
Same Technique For Baked Sweet Potatoes
You can use the same technique for sweet potatoes, too!
Our Fast Baked Potato Technique
The technique is straightforward. Pre-heat the oven then wash, dry, oil and salt the potatoes. This little step ensures the entire potato—not just the insides —will get eaten. Place the seasoned potatoes in the microwave, leisurely switching them when the oven reaches temperature.
While the potatoes bake, make a sauce or topping. Try one of our 15-Minute Skillet Stews!
Although the skin isn’t as crisp, these potatoes are excellent reheated in the microwave or oven. Or do a little of both—use the microwave to take the chill off and finish them in the oven. Whatever way they get reheated, they’re thrice baked now!
The Quickest Baked Potatoes | Jacques Pépin Cooking at Home | KQED
FAQ
Is it better to microwave or bake a potato?
Do potatoes cook faster with foil on or off?
How do you speed up cooking potatoes?
There you go—super-fast par-cooked potatoes. 4. Use a Bigger Pan (or roast on a wire rack) The more space your potatoes have, the more air can circulate around them, and the more heat gets into each piece of potato. The result? Faster cooking. Another way to speed up cooking?
How can I lose weight fast by eating potatoes?
There is no evidence to suggest that potatoes are a magical weight-loss food. In fact, potatoes are a high-carbohydrate food that can actually cause weight gain if consumed in excess. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to focus on eating a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. A registered dietitian can help you create a well-rounded diet plan that fits your individual needs and goals.
How to make a fast baked potato?
To make a fast baked potato, you’ll first need to preheat yur oven to 450 degrees F. Again, you’ll want to start with an organic russet potato of the large baking variety. Wash, scrub, and dry the potato using a Vegetable Scrub Brush if you have one. Then poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.
How to cook potatoes fast without boiling?
Fact is, there are several alternate methods for how to cook potatoes fast that not only cut down on time, but actually make your potatoes taste better. So I spoke with the Epi Test Kitchen, and they gave me four quickest ways to cook potatoes—no boiling necessary. 1. Steam the potatoes instead of boiling