How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

Microwaving a sweet potato is the quickest and easiest way to prepare it.

You can make fluffy and soft sweet potatoes with small, medium, or large sweet potatoes in about 10 minutes from start to finish!

What Makes This Recipe So Special?

• Microwaving sweet potatoes is the quickest and easiest way to get a perfectly cooked sweet potato with little effort. Microwave sweet potatoes have the most exquisite texture. Perfectly tender and fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
• Microwaving a sweet potato requires no additional equipment or attachments. Although some people prefer to use a microwave rack or potato holder, it is not required. To avoid any hard areas and for even cooking, we’ll flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking period.
• Sweet potatoes are quite adaptable. This is an excellent foundation upon which to build, and each sweet potato can be distinct. With just a little salt, pepper, and butter, we kept the toppings simple. Rosemary and thyme are also excellent savory herbs. Sweet potatoes with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and browned butter are very delicious. Add a little honey or maple syrup to make the potato even sweeter. Like in our Healthy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes dish, you could also stuff the sweet potato with protein and garnishes.

Questions Frequently Asked

Once you know how to do it correctly, cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave may be a breeze! We have the answers to your sweet potato cooking questions, from “how long do I cook it?” to “can I eat the skin?”

How long should a sweet potato be cooked?

Start with 6 minutes on high for a medium potato that weighs around 4-5 ounces. 7 12 for big. Start with 8 minutes in the microwave for 2 medium sweet potatoes.

Depending on the strength and age of your microwave, you may need to make adjustments, so keep a watch on the potatoes.

Do I need to use a fork to poke my sweet potato?
You should absolutely do so. The sweet potato may explode in the microwave if you don’t. While I have never had a potato erupt on me, it is possible! By poking holes in your sweet potato, the steam may escape rather than build up inside.

What are the signs that my sweet potato is ready?
The skin of the sweet potato will bubble up, and it will feel soft when you press it with a fork. Continue cooking in 30-second increments if it still feels hard.

You can also use a cloth to grab the potato and compress it until it’s completely soft. Just be careful not to overheat yourself while checking.

Is it possible to eat the skin of a sweet potato?
The sweet potato skin is completely edible. While the orange flesh of the potato contains the majority of the nutrients, the skin does include fiber. So go for it if you like it!

Should I use aluminum foil to wrap my sweet potato?
Don’t do it! Microwaving aluminum foil poses a significant fire risk. However, you can wrap your sweet potato in a damp paper towel before microwaving it. Some of the heat and moisture can be retained by using a paper towel.

How many sweet potatoes can I microwave at the same time?
I suggest cooking no more than two medium sweet potatoes at once. Microwaving numerous sweet potatoes can take an excessive amount of time.

You’ll probably end up with some undercooked and some overcooked sweet potatoes as well.

How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

Microwaving a sweet potato is the quickest and easiest way to prepare it. You can make fluffy and soft sweet potatoes with small, medium, or large sweet potatoes in about 10 minutes from start to finish!

Ingredients

• 1 medium sweet potato weighs roughly 4-5 ounces
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• butter optional

Equipment

• Fork
• Microwave-safe plate
• Microwave

Instructions For Sweet Potato

1. Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly and wipe dry. Place sweet potato on a microwave-safe platter and pierce skin all over with a fork to create vents.
2. Microwave 1 medium sweet potato on high for 6 minutes, flipping halfway during the cooking time. Note: If your potato isn’t soft after 6 minutes, keep microwaving in 30-second intervals, checking after each one.
3. Sweet potatoes should be cut open in the middle like a hot dog bun. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve with butter if desired. Additional topping suggestions can be found in the notes.

Notes

• Time to Cook: Preparing times will vary depending on the size of sweet potatoes you’re cooking and your microwave. This is a recipe for one medium sweet potato. Start with a 7 12 minute cook time if you’re preparing 1 large sweet potato. Start with an 8-minute cook time if you’re preparing two medium sweet potatoes.
• Sweet Potato Toppings: A pinch of salt and pepper goes a long way. Rosemary and thyme are also excellent savory herbs. Sweet potatoes with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and browned butter are very delicious.
• Add a little honey or maple syrup to make the potato even sweeter. Like in our Healthy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes dish, you could also stuff the sweet potato with protein and garnishes.
• A 1200-watt microwave was used to test and perfect this procedure. Depending on your microwave, you may require a longer or shorter cook time or lower power.

This recipe makes one sweet potato. Your desired portion sizes will determine the number of servings.
The nutritional values presented are for 1 medium sweet potato without butter and are meant to be used as a guide.

The exact macros will vary depending on the brands and types of ingredients utilized.

Prepare the recipe as directed to get the weight of one serving.

Weigh the final recipe, then divide the weight (not including the weight of the container in which the food is stored) by the desired number of servings. The weight of one serving will be the result.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sweet potato, Calories: 122kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 78mg, Potassium: 478mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 20110IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 1mg, Net Carbs: 25g