This post shows you how to cook a sweet potato in the microwave. It's quick and efficient, and a great way to do it when you're in a rush!
We've showed you how to cook Instant Pot sweet potatoes as well as crock pot sweet potatoes, both of which come out perfectly creamy. But sometimes, you need your sweet potato cooked through quickly, and that's when the microwave is just perfect.
In just 5-7 minutes, you can have delicious sweet potatoes that you can stuff with delicious fillings, scoop out and use in other recipes, or just enjoy with a little bit of melted butter.
Today, I'm showing you how to cook a sweet potato in the microwave!
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Reasons to ♡ this 'recipe':
- it's the fastest way to cook a sweet potato
- you don't need to heat up the oven
- it's great for cooking single sweet potatoes or small batches
Step by step directions
1. Poke sweet potato - Start with clean, scrubbed sweet potatoes. Use a paring knife or fork to poke the sweet potato 8-10 times.
2. Covered dish- Place the sweet potato in a covered microwave-safe dish (like this one!).
3. Cook- Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then carefully flip the sweet potato over. Microwave on high for another 2-4 minutes (longer for large potatoes!)
4. Check- check for doneness by squeezing gently with an oven-mitt covered hand. If sweet potato gives slightly, it is ready to come out. If it is still firm, it needs more time.
FAQ
NO. Please read this article. There have been plenty of scientific studies done on microwaved food and exposure to microwaves and there has been no link to cancer development (or other health issues).
I highly recommend it, as the sweet potato ended up substantially more moist. Sweet potatoes microwaved uncovered on a plate ended up dryer and not as creamy on the inside.
For the sweet potatoes pictured above, it took 5-7 minutes. It's going to depend on the size of your sweet potatoes.
I give them a gentle squeeze with an oven mitt. When they become soft to the squeeze, they should be ready.
Storage & meal prep
Cool sweet potatoes completely before storing in an air tight container.
- fridge- store for up to 4 days.
- freezer- freeze for up to 3 months; for longer storage, you may want to wrap cooled sweet potatoes in parchment or wax paper before storing in a meal prep container.
Check out my favorite meal prep containers!
Use up your sweet potatoes
More easy basics
☆ Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear how it turned out! Leave me a review and star rating in the comments below. Your reviews help so much!
How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato
Instructions
- Poke sweet potato - Start with clean, scrubbed sweet potatoes. Use a paring knife or fork to poke the sweet potato 8-10 times.
- Covered dish- Place the sweet potato in a covered microwave-safe dish.
- Cook- Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then carefully flip the sweet potato over. Microwave on high for another 2-4 minutes (* longer for large potatoes!)
- Check- check for doneness by squeezing gently with an oven-mitt covered hand. If sweet potato gives slightly, it is ready to come out. If it is still firm, it needs more time.
Notes
- fridge- store for up to 4 days.
- freezer- freeze for up to 3 months; for longer storage, you may want to wrap cooled sweet potatoes in parchment or wax paper before storing in a meal prep container.
