A Family Favorite Since Mom’s Kitchen

If you’ve never had Microwave Fried Potatoes, you’re probably wondering if they’re really as good as they sound.

Trust me…they are.

This recipe came from my mom, who always said she learned it from my Aunt Kathy. The first time she told me she “fried” potatoes in the microwave, I wasn’t convinced. I figured there was no way they could compare to skillet fried potatoes.

Then one busy night I needed a quick side dish and remembered her recipe.

I’ve been making them ever since.

They’re buttery, tender, packed with flavor, and while they won’t have the crispy edges of pan-fried potatoes, they’re lighter, easier, and require almost no hands-on cooking.

Around our house, TJ loves these with eggs and bacon on the weekends, but we also serve them with pork chops, grilled chicken, steak, or just about any comfort food dinner.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A comforting side dish made with simple ingredients.

Family recipe passed down from my mom

Uses just a handful of simple ingredients

Ready in about 30 minutes

Perfect for breakfast or dinner

Ingredients

Name: Easy Microwave Fried Potatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2½ pounds red potatoes (thinly sliced); 1 large onion (thinly sliced); ½ stick butter; 2 –3 tablespoons water; Salt; Pepper

2½ pounds red potatoes, thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
½ stick butter
2–3 tablespoons water
Salt
Pepper

Ingredients for Easy Microwave Fried Potatoes including red potatoes, onion, butter, plastic wrap, and a mandoline slicer. — Simple ingredients for homemade Microwave Fried Potatoes: red potatoes, onion, butter, salt, pepper, and water.

How to Make Microwave Fried Potatoes

Step 1

Wash and thinly slice the potatoes and onion.

Using a large microwave-safe dish, begin layering the potatoes.

Add a few onion slices, several pats of butter, a tablespoon of water, then season with salt and pepper.

Sliced red potatoes, onions, and butter prepared for making Easy Microwave Fried Potatoes. — Prep the potatoes, onions, and butter before layering everything into a microwave-safe dish.

Step 2

Continue layering the potatoes, onions, butter, salt, and pepper until the dish is full.

Layers of sliced red potatoes, onions, butter, salt, and pepper before cooking Microwave Fried Potatoes. — Layer the potatoes, onions, butter, salt, and pepper until the dish is full before microwaving.

Step 3

Cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Microwave on HIGH for 10 minutes.

Carefully remove the plastic wrap (watch for steam), stir the potatoes, recover, and microwave for another 5 minutes.

Continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the potatoes are fork tender. Total cooking time is usually around 15 minutes, depending on your microwave.

Microwave Fried Potatoes cooking in a microwave-safe dish covered with plastic wrap. — Cover the potatoes tightly and microwave until tender, stirring between cooking intervals for the best results.

Serving Suggestions

These potatoes are incredibly versatile.

Try serving these Microwave Fried Potatoes with:

Eggs & Bacon
Pork Chops
Grilled Chicken
Steak
Meatloaf
Fresh Vegetables

They’re also delicious reheated the next morning for breakfast.

Easy Microwave Fried Potatoes served with fried eggs and bacon for a hearty homemade breakfast. — Serve these Easy Microwave Fried Potatoes with eggs and bacon for an easy homemade breakfast or enjoy them as a simple dinner side dish.

Amy’s Tips

Slice the potatoes as evenly as possible for even cooking.
Red potatoes hold their shape best.
Don’t skip the butter—it helps create that rich “fried potato” flavor.
Cooking times will vary depending on your microwave, so check for tenderness after about 25 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use russet potatoes?

Yes! Red potatoes hold together a little better, but russets work well too.

Do I have to use plastic wrap?

You’ll need to tightly cover the dish to trap the steam. A microwave-safe lid also works well.

Can these be made ahead?

Absolutely. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the microwave.

Can I make these without onions?

Yes! Simply leave them out if you prefer. The potatoes will still be buttery and delicious.

Layered red potatoes and onions seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper before cooking Microwave Fried Potatoes.

Easy Microwave Fried Potatoes

Easy Microwave Fried Potatoes are a simple family recipe made with red potatoes, onions, butter, salt, and pepper. Perfect for breakfast or dinner and ready in about 30 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

2½ pounds red potatoes thinly sliced
1 large onion thinly sliced
½ stick butter
2 –3 tablespoons water
Salt
Pepper

Instructions

Step 1
Thinly slice the potatoes and onion.
Layer the potatoes in a large microwave-safe dish. Add a few onion slices, pats of butter, about a tablespoon of water, then season with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Repeat the layers until all of the potatoes, onions, butter, and seasonings have been used.
Step 3
Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid.
Microwave on HIGH for 10 minutes.
Carefully remove the cover (watch for steam), stir the potatoes, recover, and microwave another 5 minutes.
Continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the potatoes are fork tender. Total cooking time is usually about 15 minutes.
Serve immediately.

Notes

• Slice the potatoes as evenly as possible for even cooking.

• Cooking times vary by microwave.

• Red potatoes hold their shape best.

• Delicious served with eggs and bacon, pork chops, grilled chicken, or steak.

• Leftovers reheat beautifully for breakfast.

Keyword Microwave, Potatoes

Did You Make This Recipe?

I’d love to hear how it turned out!

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and tell me what you served with your Microwave Fried Potatoes.?

Microwave Fried Potatoes | Easy Family Potato Side Dish

A Family Favorite Since Mom’s Kitchen

Ingredients