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Looking for the best way to cook a sweet potato fast? Follow this easy microwave sweet potato recipe to have perfectly baked taters ready in less than 10 minutes.
One of the biggest barriers to eating more vegetables (and healthy food in general) is not knowing how to prepare them…or not having the tools to do so. Time can also be a limiting factor, of course!
That’s why I’m so excited to share my new favorite cooking hack – making a baked sweet potato in the microwave. This foolproof method is incredibly fast, which means no more excuses not to try delicious, nutritious sweet potatoes!
I think it’s even safe to say that learning this trick can transform how you spend your time in the kitchen. Need an easy side dish for dinner? Make a sweet potato.
Want to make a recipe that calls for cooked sweet potatoes but don’t have an hour to prep them (who does!)? Ding ding ding. Microwave sweet potatoes to the rescue!
How Long to Microwave a Sweet Potato
Depending on the size of your sweet potato, and how many you plan to cook at once, microwave sweet potatoes can take anywhere from 5 to 8 minutes broken up into shorter timer intervals.
Important Steps For Making Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave
Scrub the sweet potatoes clean, then use a fork to poke holes in the skin. I usually pierce them 5-7 times at different parts of the skin. Do not skip this step! It’s super important to let steam escape during cooking.
Place the sweet potato(es) on a microwave-safe plate and cook for 5 minutes total on high. Cook for 2 minutes, 30 seconds to start, flip the potato over, then put it back in for 2 minutes, 30 seconds. Slice it open, and you’ll find delicious, creamy flesh inside!
I recommend cooking 1 sweet potato at a time, since they cook more evenly that way. But you can cook 2 at once. It will just take longer.
The sweet potato is finished cooking when the skin is soft and sinks in a bit when you touch it. If it’s not soft after 5 minutes, put it back in the microwave for 30-second intervals until it’s cooked through.
Some of you may wonder if microwave sweet potatoes are still healthy for you. The short answer is yes! Details below.
Does microwaving sweet potatoes destroy nutrients?
Since sweet potatoes are exposed to heat for a shorter time in the microwave than when they’re cooked in the oven, they may actually retain more nutrients.
For more information on this topic, check out my post on steamed veggies.
Can you eat the skin of a sweet potato?
To increase the nutrition value of a sweet potato even more, eat the skin too! It’s completely edible and loaded with fiber.
Sweet Potato Recipes
Sweet potatoes taste delicious with a slab of butter and a sprinkle of salt. You can also top them with cinnamon, garlic powder, or any seasoning you like.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that call for cooked sweet potatoes:
Silver Dollar Sweet Potato Protein Pancakes
Spiced Sweet Potato Latte
Sweet Potato Blueberry Flax Muffins
Sweet Potato Skins with Barbecue Beans
Oatmeal Raisin Sweet Potato Cookies
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers
I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube,Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.
📖 Recipe
Microwave Sweet Potato
The easiest way to make perfectly baked sweet potatoes!
Scrub the sweet potato clean and use a fork to pierce it 5-7 times on different areas of the skin.
Put the sweet potato on a microwave-safe plate and cook for 2.5 minutes on high. Flip it over and put it back in the microwave for another 2.5 minutes on high. Check to see if it's soft to the touch. If not, put it back in the microwave for 30-second intervals until tender.
Slice the cooked sweet potato in half and top with butter and sea salt.
Notes
You can make up to 2 sweet potatoes at a time, but it will likely take closer to 7 minutes total. Microwave in shorter intervals so that you can check the progress along the way, and be sure to flip the sweet potatoes over at the halfway point.
Store cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave (of course)!
Pierce the sweet potato skin with a fork 5 to 6 times.Place the sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 5-10 minutes—five minutes to cook one sweet potato in the microwave, and add two minutes for each additional potato—rotating them halfway through.
Can You Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave? Yes, you can! In fact, the shorter cook time will help the sweet potatoes retain more nutrients that are often lost in the long oven-baking process. It's not all that different than baking a sweet potato in the oven, except it's a whole lot faster.
If your sweet potato turns out too hard, it is probably undercooked. To make sure your potato is cooked right, check it after five minutes by poking it with a fork. If it is not easy to poke, put it back in for a minute and then continue cooking in 30-second increments until it is soft enough.
Your sweet potato is done cooking when a sharp knife slides easily into the center of the potato. If you're met with resistance, continue cooking in 30-second increments.
This may sound tedious, but you'll want to avoid overcooking the sweet potato, which can make it dry on the outside and soggy on the inside. The timeframe for cooking may depend on the size of your sweet potato and the wattage of your microwave, so it's essential that you check for doneness yourself.
These little holes allow steam to escape while the potato is cooking. Forget to poke, and your potato could end up exploding in your microwave from the pent-up steam. It's both messy and a serious dinner let-down.
Microwaving might be convenient, but it's one of the worst ways to cook a starchy potato. Published Feb. 12, 2024. Warm, fluffy baked potatoes are hands off, simple to make, and super versatile, working as a main course when they're dolled-up or as a side for proteins or vegetables.
Maple Syrup, Cinnamon, and Butter – ok, I'm a big fan of savory but this combo is also a favorite! ghee is an excellent (and delicious!) substitute for butter if you need it.
How Do I Prep a Sweet Potato for the Microwave? Poke holes. The only thing you have to do is poke small holes in the potato, which provides a place for the steam to escape. Use a fork or a thin knife to pierce the potato all over four to five times.
How to tell if sweet potatoes have gone bad. If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.
Do you have to poke holes in sweet potatoes before baking? Typically holes are poked into a sweet potato to prevent a potato exploding in your oven. However, the chance of that happening is low, and according to Lifehacker, sweet potatoes will retain more flavor if you don't poke them.
Nutrition: ``Microwaving retains more nutrients in food than any other cooking method. This is because it cooks faster (and) uses lower heat,'' says Chen. This makes it a nutritious option for cooking sweet potatoes than baking, steaming, or boiling.
Step 1Wash sweet potato thoroughly, pat dry, and pierce 3-4 times with a fork. Place potato on microwave-safe plate and microwave 5 minutes, turning halfway through. Step 2If your potato isn't fork tender after 5 minutes, continue microwaving in 30 second increments.
These minerals - which include iron, magnesium, and selenium – act like tiny pieces of metal and create what is known as an “arcing effect” in microwaves. An arcing effect is when sparks occur as a result of electromagnetic waves in a microwave reflecting or bouncing off metal.
You can eat sweet potato skin. It's a good source of fiber, a nutrient that may help lower the risk of heart disease and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time. The next time you make a sweet potato dish, whether it's a roasted side dish or a hearty, cozy casserole, leave the peel on.
The most important thing to note here is that I DON'T wrap them in foil. If you do, the sweet potato flesh will still cook, but the skin will be very moist and almost slimy. In order to get delectable, puffed up crispy skin and caramelization on the outside of each baked potato, place them onto the baking sheet bare!
Prick the potato all over with a fork. Place the sweet potato, lemon wedge (if using) and 1 tsp of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 8 to 10 minutes. Cut in half and serve with your favorite sweet or savory toppings.
Reheat: To reheat sweet potatoes, you can use the microwave, oven or air fryer. I recommend 2 minutes in the microwave, 10 minutes in the oven or 5 minutes in the air fryer.
Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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