Tired of waiting ages for your baked potatoes in the oven? If you're like me, you'll love this easy workaround!
See how to make a microwave potato bag and bake potatoes in a microwave. You'll have tasty, moist, and fluffy-baked potatoes on your table in just 10 minutes!
It takes so little time, and all you need is a simple pouch you can sew in just minutes.
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***Disclaimer*** - AppleGreen Cottage is not responsible for issues that may arise from using your own microwave potato bag. Please make sure that ALL materials are made with 100% cotton including fabric, thread, and batting. Do not microwave for more than 4-minute intervals to avoid scorching of any kind. You are at your own risk when creating and using. Do not leave unattended when in use.
Table Of Contents
I love this effortless, speedy, and convenient way to bake potatoes in a microwave. In case you haven’t tried it yet – it’s so simple! You’ll both sew the pouch AND microwave the potatoes faster than it takes an oven to bake them the traditional way.
These microwaveable potato bags are great for anyone who loves a quick, effortless way to bake russet potatoes, corn, even squash! Also, my favorite: sweet potatoes!
I used batting to preserve the moisture, so the potatoes never end up dry and tasteless. It makes a whole lot of difference!
What are microwave bags for potatoes?
Let's say they are my favorite way to ditch the oven wait! A microwave potato bag is a sewn pouch made from 100% cotton materials, so you can bake potatoes in the microwave - way faster than traditional oven-baking.
There is absolutely no easier way than this one!
At the end of the post, I added detailed instructions and tips on how to make baked potatoes in a microwave. But first, let's make the microwaveable pouch:
What materials to use?
100% cotton batting + 100% cotton fabric + 100% cotton thread. Always.
Do not use insulated batting like Insul Bright, as it contains metal and is not appropriate for a microwave. You must use all 100% cotton. Do not use polyester batting, or cotton-poly blends, as these could melt or catch fire in the microwave, or get damaged.
Finished Size: approx. 9” wide and 10” tall
Supplies
Shop my personal favorite sewing supplies on Amazon HERE.
- 100% cotton fabric (I used the new collection by Lila Tueller, Poppies And Plumes)
- 100% cotton batting (Pellon's Wrap-N-Zap)
- cotton thread
- tailor's chalk and pins or sewing clips
- a ruler, a rotary cutter, and a cutting mat - or scissors
- sewing machine
TIP: use a walking foot on your sewing machine, which moves all fabric layers at the same speed. This will prevent puckers and make sewing easier.
Sewing VIDEO
Here’s a quick video that will make it easy to sew a microwave potato pouch - in minutes. (pause your adblocker if you can't see the video)
Scroll down for the photo tutorial with step-by-step images!
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Sewing Steps - TUTORIAL
Now, the microwave potato bag instructions, in a few simple steps:
Step 1 - Print Free Template or Use Cutting Directions
If you want the PDF rectangular printable template, join our mailing list and get the template emailed to you:
OR do you want a printable copy of the WHOLE tutorial? Scroll to the bottom of this tutorial for more details!
To print this PDF, download the pattern file to a desktop, open it in ADOBE READER, and print at 100% size on paper or cardstock. (See pdf printing tips here if it's your first PDF pattern.)
ALTERNATIVE: Cutting directions
NOTE: This project is so simple that you don't necessarily need a template for a microwave potato bag. However, some readers of AppleGreen Cottage always prefer a template, so I made it possible 🙂
OR simply cut these three rectangles:
- 1 main cotton fabric piece (22" by 10")
- 1 lining cotton fabric piece (22" by 10")
- one cotton batting piece (22" by 10")
Again, it's very important that you only use 100% cotton materials. This includes fabric, batting, and thread.
Step 2 - Stack the 3 layers
Place the batting piece on a flat surface and one cotton fabric piece over it, with the right side up. Cover with a third piece, the lining fabric, placing it with the right side down.
Step 3 - Sew the layers together
Sew around using a ⅜" seam allowance (1 cm) - make sure to leave a 3" or 4" opening for turning on one of the short edges.
TOP TIP: If your sewing machine can't handle the bulk, you can always trim the batting from the seam allowance before turning the bag right side out. This will reduce the thickness of the layers.
Step 4 - Turn right side out
Trim down the corners for a neat finish and then turn right side out:
Use a point-turner or a chopstick to poke the corners out. Press.
Step 5 - Topstitch on the short edges
Press the raw edges on the turning gap towards the inside of the bag. Now topstitch along both short ends for a clean and professional finish. This will also close the gap for turning.
Alternatively, if you don't want to topstitch, you can also hand-stitch the gap together using this simple invisible stitch.
Step 6 - Mark And Fold the Fabric
Use tailor chalk to draw two lines on the lining side:
- mark - 8" from the bottom of the bag (here: line on the right)
- mark - 3 ½" from the top of the bag (here: left)
Now, let's fold:
- grab the bottom (right) edge and fold it towards the left.
- Then fold the top (left) edge over the previous one, so you have an overlap of approximately 1 ½"
Use pins or clips to hold the folds in place.
Step 7 - Finish
The last two seams to do: sew at ⅛" away from the edges to secure the folds, sewing from top to bottom on each side of the bag.
Finished, yay! You've just completed your own fabric microwave potato bag. Say goodbye to oven wait - time to enjoy some effortless, speedy, perfectly cooked potatoes from the microwave.
Tips on sewing potato bags for microwave
Let's make your potato bag sewing project even easier - a few tips and answers to frequent questions:
Cotton, and cotton again. I love using quilting cotton as there are unlimited options to personalize the colors and adjust them to your other kitchen decor. Also, it's ok for the microwave, which is even more important.
Batting, as explained above - only use 100% cotton. Pellon's Wrap-N-Zap is a microwave-safe product, made of 100% natural cotton batting.
Microwaved potatoes can sometimes end up dry, with a bland taste. But not if you use a diy fabric pouch like this!
The cotton-insulated pouch is a game-changer for achieving the perfect microwave-baked potato. It helps retain moisture, ensuring the potatoes stay moist and fluffy. And it helps to get your potatoes cooked more evenly.
TIP: always make sure to use a bag that can be kept closed when microwaving, to keep the moisture in the potatoes. A folded sleeve like the one in the tutorial will make it super easy to keep it closed when in use.
They can be hand washed or washed in a gentle cycle, with like colors, in the washing machine. You can press it to help it regain its shape, and if you like it crisp and looking nice. However, pressing is not necessary for its function.
Microwave-Baked Potatoes RECIPE
I thought I could also add the potato microwave bag cooking instructions, so you don't need to go search for them all around the internet.
So here's how to bake potatoes in the microwave: wash your potatoes and place them in the fabric potato bag. Put in the microwave and in less than 10 minutes, enjoy your moist, fluffy baked potatoes.
Print Steps
How To Make a Baked Potato in the Microwave
Tired of waiting ages for your baked potatoes in the oven? Say bye to the wait with a microwave potato bag! Enjoy moist, fluffy baked potatoes on your table in just 10 minutes! 🥔
Ingredients
- 2 mid-sized sweet potatotes, or russet potatoes
- a diy microwave potato bag
Instructions
- Wash and dry 2 mid-sized sweet or russet potatoes.
- Place them into the fabric potato pouch you've just made.
- Fold the flap down to close the opening.
- Place the potato bag in the microwave with the opening facing down.
- Microwave two times for 4 minutes for russet potatoes, or 3 times for 3 minutes for sweet potatoes. (your microwave might have different settings, so you might need to adjust)
- Remove the potato bag from the microwave and place the cooked potatoes on a plate. Enjoy!
Notes
Great for all types of potatoes, corn on the cob, tortillas and more!
And a quick tip: before you pop those potatoes in the microwave, you can poke them a few times using a fork fork. That way, they can release some steam and avoid any unexpected explosions. Happy cooking!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
115 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 103Total Fat: 0,2gSaturated Fat: 0,1gUnsaturated Fat: 0,1gCarbohydrates: 23,6gFiber: 3,8gProtein: 2,3g
Great for all types of potatoes, corn on the cob, tortillas, and more!
NOTE: DO NOT heat anything in the microwave for more than 4 minutes at a time. When the microwaving time is longer, do it in increments. For example, I microwave 2 mid-sized sweet potatoes three times for 3 minutes, total time=9 minutes.
Here are a few cooking times that work well with my microwave:
- 2 medium russet potatoes: 8 minutes (twice for 4 minutes)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes: 9 minutes (three times for 3 minutes)
- 2 large corn cobs: 6 minutes (twice for 3 minutes)
- 3 tortillas: 1 minute
NOTE: Do not leave the microwave unattended when in use. Also, make sure the potato bag can freely rotate on the turntable during cooking to avoid scorching.
Tip: How Do You Know a Microwaved Potato is Cooked?
Testing a microwaved potato is easy! Get a towel and gently squeeze the potato. If it gives without resistance and starts to open up, it's ready.
Another way to test is by inserting a fork; it should go in easily, indicating a thoroughly cooked potato.
Want to save the idea for later? Click here to save this project on Pinterest:
Conclusion
These diy microwave bags for baking potatoes are so convenient and easy to make. They are a great project for beginning sewers and make great gifts - especially in sets with diy potholders, these easy oven mitts, and diy soup bowl cozies!
I hope you liked this tutorial on how to make a potato bag for the microwave. Now don't just make one - sew a reusable microwave potato bag for yourself and for gifts! If you're new to sewing, just follow the tips that will help you create your potato microwave pouches - and enjoy moist, fluffy baked potatoes in under 10 minutes!
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Diana
Wonderful tutorial, so complete, thank you!
Important to poke the potatoes all over before microwaving. It allows them to let off steam so they don't explode. Thanks again for this great pattern and idea!
Damjana
Diana hi,
thank you! I included your tip into the cooking instructions. Must admit, I've been lucky so far and no potato has burst into pieces when microwaving it, but better be safe than sorry. 🙂
xoxo, Damjana