The Method: How To Bake a Potato in the Microwave. The Result: Super-fast cooking time with soft skins. Rub the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, and prick them with the tines of a fork. Place all the potatoes on a microwave-safe dish and microwave at full power for five minutes. Turn them over and microwave for another three to five minutes. If still hard in the middle, microwave in additional one-minute bursts until cooked through.