Most people have no idea how to use their leftover baked potatoes. Some may think of overfeeding, whereas others may decide to dispose of them.
Overfeeding can cause digestion problems, whereas throwing might make you feel guilty since it is pure food wastage.
That may make you start researching whether you can warm your leftover baked potatoes and how to reheat baked potato in the microwave.
Put the baked potatoes on a microwavable plate and adjust your microwave to reheat, setting on average heat. Microwave for five minutes and keep turning the potatoes. Keep microwaving at 30-interval-stops until the potatoes’ inner temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you reheat a baked potato in the microwave?
Baked potatoes are tasty when fresh. Though if you have to reheat them, using the microwave is the best option.
However, you need to know the right steps to follow when using the microwave to reheat baked potatoes to do it the right way. Here’s what you need to do in four easy steps:
- Cut the baked potato into two.
- Take a moist paper towel and cover the potato.
- Put your wrapped potato in a microwavable dish.
- Nuke the baked potato on moderate heat until thoroughly heated (you can use high if your microwave is slow on medium). The reheat duration is contingent on the potato size, but generally, it will take two to three minutes to reheat with the microwave.
Essentially, it’s ideal to eliminate any topping before putting your baked potato in the microwave. It might be different if you’re heating twice-baked potatoes with toppings inside. If so, here’s what you should know about reheating twice-baked potatoes:
- You can use a microwave or an oven to reheat your twice-baked potatoes.
- Other people prefer freezing twice-baked potatoes only to reheat later.
- You can decide to put your frozen twice-baked potato from the freezer into the oven or allow them through overnight in the refrigerator.
- Follow the same steps you use to reheat baked potatoes in the microwave to reheat twice-baked potatoes.
- If you’re using the microwave and desire crispier skin, you can put your potatoes in the oven for some minutes using the broiler setting once you remove them from the microwave.
Now you perfectly understand how to reheat baked potatoes in the microwave though you may be deliberating on the storage method. Most people make mistakes when it comes to storing baked potatoes. So here’s how you should sore your baked potatoes:
Best Ways for Storing Baked Potatoes for Reheating
The best thing you should do to guarantee your baked potatoes can be reheated for later use is to store them. Before refrigerating them, ensure your container is cool and remove all the toppings.
Here are the two best methods for storing baked potatoes:
Refrigerator
If you intend to use your potatoes within 48 hours, storing them in the fridge is the best alternative. Put them in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. Whichever method you use, ensure the potatoes are covered. It’s because the color might change if not stored properly.
Freezer
If you intend to store your leftovers beyond 48 hours, you should keep them in the freezer. Always ensure you use a bag or a container when storing food in the freezer. It’s a way of ensuring your baked potatoes remain fresh for three months.
Can You Reheat A Baked Potato With Sour Cream?
Of course, you can rewarm sour creamed baked potatoes, but it has a hitch.
Since you wouldn’t like your lovely sour creamed baked potatoes to turn into a messy pile from the sour cream, put them inside a bowl or a cup.
When reheating leftover food containing sour cream, it’s likely to liquefy and run everywhere. So, cover the edge of the leftover potatoes using aluminum foil. If there’s sour cream remaining, the baked potatoes will hold them.
Is It Dangerous to Reheat Potatoes?
Yes, it might be risky to reheat baked potatoes only if you don’t use the correct method. That’s because it contains plenty of moisture which might make the potatoes shatter, or its high steam levels might cause intense burns.
Furthermore, cooked potatoes are highly hazardous so ensure to reheat them thoroughly and store them appropriately before serving.
Experts claim that if you allow the baked potatoes to cool at room temperature for pretty long, bacteria might form around them, which causes clostridium botulism.
It might happen effortlessly if you’ve wrapped your potatoes tightly using aluminum foil or covered them tightly in a cooking container. It’s a bacteria that can’t be destroyed by reheating baked potatoes even at extremely high temperatures.
If you frequently reheat your baked potatoes in the microwave, you’re at risk of food poisoning. You may consider allowing them to cool and then putting them in the refrigerator immediately after serving to prevent food poisoning.
How to Microwave Potatoes without Drying Them Out
- Wash the potatoes by scrubbing the surface effectively and rinse them under running water. Then pat the potatoes to dry and trim any marks using a paring knife. But don’t remove the eyes whatever.
- Prick the potatoes using a fork approximately four to five times on either side. These holes will let steam escape from the potatoes during the baking process to prevent them from exploding.
- Mix oil, pepper, and some olive oil and rub on the potatoes. It will ensure the potatoes cooks well and enhance the flavor.
- Arrange the potatoes on a microwavable plate and nuke for roughly five minutes on full heat.
- Turn the potatoes and keep microwaving for three to five more minutes, depending on how many potatoes you’re baking.
- Check if they are thoroughly cooked by pricking the core of the potato with a paring knife or a fork. If some are not yet cooked, keep microwaving at one-minute breaks till they cook perfectly.
- Let the potatoes cool down for some minutes, then serve.
- It is also advisable to cool the potatoes thoroughly if you want to store them in the fridge. If properly stored, cooked potatoes can last for four days, and you can reheat them in the microwave.
Other Methods of Reheating Potatoes
Here are some quick alternatives to reheat baked potatoes
Air Fryer
Using the air fryer is another excellent way to have crunchy leftover baked potatoes. It’s also the best method if you have family members with health complications. Start by heating your air fryer to 350 degrees. Follow by putting the baked potatoes in the air fryer and heat for three to four minutes. One main disadvantage of using the air fryer is that it’s not big; hence you’ll have to be heating in turns if you have any leftovers.
Grilling
If you want to have an instinctive outdoors, you should consider using leftovers instead of planning to cook something else. You should start by wrapping your meal with aluminum foil and then laying it on the grill. Set the temperature to 400 degrees.
Let them cook for 10 to 15 minutes, and turn them when halfway done. If grilling, the potato skin will remain crispy. However, using the grill may be challenging if you don’t know how to use it.
Toaster Oven
If you don’t have a regular oven for reheating leftovers, don’t be apprehensive because the toaster oven works just like the regular one.
Start by preheating the oven to nearly 350 degrees. Next is to lay the meal on the rack and heat it for 20 minutes. Always use a whole potato that’s not divided into pieces. After it’s well-heated, allow it to cool for some minutes, then serve.
Faqs On How to Reheat Baked Potato in The Microwave
How Long Do You Reheat Baked Potato In The Microwave?
Put the potato on a microwavable plate and nuke for seven minutes, flipping halfway when cooking. Your potato should be fork-soft after seven minutes, and if not, keep heating at one-minute blasts till thoroughly cooked. Let it stay for two minutes, then serve.
How Do You Reheat An Already Cooked Baked Potato?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and remove the potatoes from the fridge to be at room temperature to reheat already baked potatoes. For the potatoes to have a crispy skin, place them openly on the rack. Let the potatoes bake for roughly 10 to 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Can You Reheat Cooked Potatoes In The Microwave?
Divide the potato into two and put in a microwave-proof dish, then take a moist paper towel and cover each half. Microwave for two to three minutes or until the potato is well heated.
Is It Safe To Reheat a Baked Potato?
Reheating baked potatoes is not dangerous if you follow the correct procedures. For example, you should ensure that your oven is pretty hot when reheating your potatoes. That’s to say, your oven should be above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything less might result in bacterial formation.
What Is The Best Way To Reheat Potatoes?
The best way of reheating potatoes is by using the oven. First, preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and remove the potatoes from the fridge to be at room temperature. To have a crispy skin, arrange the potatoes on a baking sheet or on top of an oven rack. Baking should be 15 to 20 minutes or until the potato is perfectly heated.
How Do You Reheat a Twice Baked Potato In The Microwave?
Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the potato into two and place each piece on a parchment layered baking sheet. Heat for 30 minutes or till the inner temperature is at 165 degrees.
How Do You Reheat Loaded Potato Skins?
Heat the oven to 350 degrees and arrange your pre-cooked skins on a layered baking sheet. Bake for roughly ten to fifteen minutes till it’s evenly heated.
Can I Bake Potatoes Ahead Of Time and Reheat?
Yes, you can bake your potatoes before time and store them warm for a maximum of six hours before taking them.
How Long Are Leftover Baked Potatoes Good For?
You can safely keep baked potatoes and similar veggies in the refrigerator for three to four days. The body mandated to inspect these foods is the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What Is The Best Way To Reheat Twice Baked Potatoes?
The best way of reheating twice-baked potatoes is to return them to the oven for the cheese to melt entirely. You can also use the microwave though it’s not the desired method, as the potatoes might become slightly mushy.
What Equipment Should Be Used To Reheat Baked Potatoes?
Use any equipment that can rewarm food in less than two hours. So you can use a stove, oven or microwave. If the potatoes need to be hot, ensure it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can You Refrigerate a Baked Potato?
It’s best to serve potatoes straight after baking them or put them in the fridge to ensure your potatoes are at a safe temperature. If they are covered in aluminum foil, eliminate the foil immediately after baking to stop botulinum bacteria from forming. Never put baked potatoes in the refrigerator covered with aluminum foil.
How Do You Reheat A Baked Potato In Foil?
Spread your baked potatoes on a light cooking sheet or tin foil for the heat to reach the entire potato. Immediately the oven is thoroughly hot, lay the tin foil inside and bake your potatoes for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them halfway while cooking.
Conclusion
Microwaving potatoes to reheat them is pretty easy and fast. But it can dry out your starch if you don’t know to do it right. Using a damp paper towel will help retain moisture while reheating. Remember, the hot steam around can easily make your potatoes soggy.
Keep turning the potatoes to ensure the heat is evenly distributed, and your potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Finally, ensure you store your cooked potatoes appropriately to use them next time. Roper storage will bar any dangerous bacteria.
Check out this video for more on how to bake potato in microwave
