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Home Meal Type How To
5
/5
6 minutes

How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

Dairy Free Dairy-Free Gluten Free Gluten Free Nut Free Nut Free Vegan Vegan Vegetarian Vegetarian
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By: Denise Bustard3 Comments
Posted: 6/17/21 Updated: 6/17/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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.

image showing cooked sweet potato on plate how to cook a sweet potato in the microwave
Jump to... show
1 Reasons to ♡ this 'recipe':
2 Step by step directions
3 FAQ
4 Storage & meal prep
5 Use up your sweet potatoes
6 More easy basics
7 How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

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!

Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!

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

poking sweet potato before showing how to microwave a sweet potato

1. Poke sweet potato - Start with clean, scrubbed sweet potatoes. Use a paring knife or fork to poke the sweet potato 8-10 times.

sweet potato in microwave safe dish how long to microwave a sweet potato

2. Covered dish- Place the sweet potato in a covered microwave-safe dish (like this one!).

showing microwave sweet potato

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!)

squeezing baked sweet potato microwave with oven mitt

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

But aren't microwaves bad for you?

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).

Do I need to microwave the sweet potato in a container?

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.

How long do you need to microwave a sweet potato?

For the sweet potatoes pictured above, it took 5-7 minutes. It's going to depend on the size of your sweet potatoes.

How can I tell when my sweet potatoes are cooked through?

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.

Favorite Meal Prep Containers

Our tried and true favorite meal prep containers and jars that will keep your food fresh, help you reheat it evenly, and withstand the test of time. No more wasting your money, these are the absolute best containers out there!

Keep reading

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    Southwestern Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos

More easy basics

  • overhead shot of sweet potatoes cut in multiple ways on gray background
    How to Cook Sweet Potatoes
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    How to Eat a Pomegranate
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    How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
  • close up shot of roasted garlic
    Easy Roasted Garlic Recipe

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

Overhead shot of a cooked sweet potato sliced open with butter on a gray plate

How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 1 min
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 6 mins
Print Rate
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!
1 sweet potato

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.

Tips:

*Exact cook time will depend on the size of your sweet potato
Storage
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.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sweet potato, Calories: 111kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 71mg, Potassium: 438mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 18445IU, Vitamin C: 3.1mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 0.8mg
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Recipe Rating




  1. Lynn says

    Posted on 6/18/21 at Posted on 6/18/21

    This looks great. I can’t wait to try it! In fact, I may try it tonight! I have been getting into microwave cooking more and more. The link for the container you use isn’t working, do you have a different one, or the name?

    Reply
    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Posted on 6/21/21 at Posted on 6/21/21

      Hi Lynn, so glad to hear - I hope you enjoy! Here is another link for the container, I hope this works!

      Reply
  2. rohit aggarwal says

    Posted on 12/31/19 at Posted on 12/31/19

    5 stars
    thank you sweetpeasandsaffron for giving me wonderful information

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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