Learn how to microwave a sweet potato (or two) in minutes.
Updated on September 29, 2023
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If you are big on sweet potatoes but short on time, there's an easy solution: Microwave your sweet potatoes. It's really the best way. Microwaving sweet potatoes cuts down cook time by 45 to 55 minutes, and, according to a 2018 study, helps maintain the potato's nutritional value. All cooking methods cause foods to lose some of their nutrients, but the quicker your potato cooks, the more nutrients it will retain. Baking a sweet potato in the microwave preserves far more nutrients (folate, vitamins A and C) than boiling it, for example. To learn how to microwave a sweet potato, read on.
How Long to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave
Because sweet potatoes vary so much in size and weight, there's no one-size-fits-all time limit. In general, it takes five minutes to cook one sweet potato in the microwave, and add two minutes in the microwave for each additional potato.
How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes
Don't bother covering your potato in plastic wrap or with a towel because the sweet potato comes in its own jacket—its skin!
Instructions
- Clean sweet potatoes under running water with a produce scrubbing brush, and pat dry.
- 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.
- You are done microwaving your sweet potatoes when a fork spears into them easily. If they are too firm, continue to cook your sweet potatoes in the microwave in one-minute increments.
Bonus Sweet Potato Recipes
Microwaving sweet potatoes doesn't need to stop with the simple potato in its jacket! Enjoy these microwave-friendly sweet potato side dishes in under 10 minutes.
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Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 1 or more sweet potatoes
- Unsalted butter
- Salt
Instructions
- Cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave as directed above.
- Slice the potatoes in half with a knife.
- Transfer sweet potato flesh to a bowl, and mash with plenty of butter and salt with a potato masher, or just a fork. If you like a rustic look, you can leave in the skins, which also ups the nutrients.
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Sweet Potato Chips
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Ingredients
- 1 or more sweet potatoes
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit a microwave-safe plate; lightly coat parchment with cooking spray.
- Slice a sweet potato very thinly, ideally with a mandolin, also known as an adjustable blade slicer.
- Arrange one-quarter of the potato slices in a single layer on parchment. Season with salt and pepper.
- Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Check for crispness.
- Continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until crisp. Repeat procedure with remaining potato slices, salt, and pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between the terms "baking," "cooking," or "steaming" sweet potatoes in the microwave?
No, in this context there is no difference between these terms. These are all different ways of describing this simple microwave process.
Can I microwave cut up sweet potato?
Yes, you can microwave a sweet potato that has been cut up into smaller pieces. For the best results, cut the potato into similarly sized pieces, such as one-inch cubes. Spread the cubes out in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and loosely tent with a dry paper towel. Cook on high for approximately 3 minutes, then check for doneness using a fork. You’ll know the potato pieces are done when the fork pierces them easily. If the pieces still feel too firm after 3 minutes, microwave them in 30-second increments until they reach your desired texture.
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