Perfect Instant Pot sweet potatoes each and every time, with perfect, creamy insides. A time chart based on the width of your sweet potatoes ensures they are perfectly cooked each time.
While I love a baked sweet potato and the convenience of a crock pot sweet potato, sometimes we just need to get it done quickly, right? Enter Instant Pot sweet potatoes. Ready in a fraction of the time, and they come out perfectly creamy, each and every time!
As a sweet potato lover, I know how frustrating they can be to cook due to their inconsistent sizes and shapes. Once I mastered the Instant Pot, I set out to experiment with tons of different sized/shaped potatoes, cooking times, and types/times of release. If you're wondering how serious I took this project, just know... I measured the potatoes. That's right, I'll even be able to give you cooking times based on the actual measurements of your sweet potatoes! There's a reason this recipe has over 100 5-star ratings, and the reviews say things like "Made many times! A no-fail recipe!" or "Absolutely the best sweet potatoes I've ever had." and "I have used this recipe multiple times and it always cooks the sweet potatoes perfectly!"
Why You'll Love These Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- they cook in a fraction of the time as the oven
- they are perfectly tender and creamy
- they are hands off...set the button and go on with your day while they cook!
What Are Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable from the Morning Glory family (yep, they're cousins with that viney flower). Like most potatoes, they are firm and starchy, have thin skin, and are absolutely delicious baked, mashed, steamed, roasted, etc. Most popular sweet potato varieties have orange flesh, but there are white and purple flesh varieties as well.
Recipe Video
Want to see exactly how to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot? Watch this 1-minute video! You can find more recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!
Measure the width of your sweet potatoes
In my experimentation, I discovered that the cook time of your sweet potatoes is completely dependent on the width of your sweet potatoes.
After testing dozens of sweet potatoes, I came up with the following formula:
- small (2 inches or less in width): 15 minutes + 10 minute natural pressure release
- medium (2-3 inches in width): 30 minutes + 10 minute natural pressure release
- large (3-4 inches in width): 60 minutes * + 10 minute natural pressure release
* honestly, depending on what you're going to use those gargantuan sweet potatoes for, you're probably better off cutting them into cubes to cook faster
How to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot
A few simple steps stand between you and your perfect sweet potatoes:
- measure (or estimate) the width of your sweet potatoes
- scrub sweet potatoes, and prick with a fork 4-5 times
- place 1 cup of water in the Instant Pot insert (or 1.5 cups for an 8 quart Instant Pot), and place the trivet on top
- arrange your sweet potatoes on the trivet
- place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to 'sealing'. Pressure cook for the time indicated on recipe card based on the width of your sweet potatoes
- allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure
Ta da! Perfect sweet potatoes
Tips for the Best Instant Pot
You can cook sweet potatoes in a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot with no change to the cook time. The one thing that does change between the two sizes is the amount of water you add to the pot.
- add 1 cup to a 6 quart Instant Pot
- add 1.5 cups to an 8 quart Instant Pot
I have not tested in a mini Instant Pot, and am not sure if the sweet potatoes would fit. If you have tried, would you leave a comment below to let us know how it worked for you?
How to Use Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Whether you use your Instant Pot sweet potatoes as twice baked sweet potatoes, in hummus, breakfast burritos, or any of the recipes, using the Instant Pot to cook them ahead definitely makes your meal prep go a little faster.
- Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Smoky Sweet Potato Hummus
- Freezer Sweet Potato Taquitos
- Freezer Sweet Potato Waffles
- Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
How to Store Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Allow the sweet potatoes to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. For longer storage, place cooled potatoes in a freezer bag, press out as much air as possible, and freeze up to 10-12 months.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes FAQs
No, regular potatoes require a different cook time. See this post forInstant Pot Baked Potatoes.
My testing was done with a single layer, however in theory, you should be able to stack them up without additional cook time. If you find that your sweet potatoes need additional cooking time, you can simply put the lid back on, add more time, and the pot will come back to pressure really quickly.
I've done it both ways, and it worked fine either way. The steam setting simply cooks from full power straight away, since it assumes there is just water in the Instant Pot and there is no risk to burning food in contact with the base.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- 7 Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
- Instant Pot Chickpeas
More recipes to try
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
PERFECT Sweet Potatoes in Instant Pot
Video
Ingredients
- 2-4 sweet potatoes
Instructions
- Measure or estimate the width of your sweet potatoes.
- Scrub sweet potatoes, then prick 5-10 times with a fork.
- Add 1 cup of water to the insert of a 6 quart Instant Pot or 1.5 cups to an 8 quart Instant Pot.
- Add the trivet to the Instant Pot and arrange sweet potatoes on the trivet.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and set the valve to 'sealing'.
- Make sure your Instant Pot is set to 'high pressure', and select manual (or 'pressure cook', depending on your model). Then set the timer depending on the thickness of your sweet potatoes: small- under 2 inches: 15 minutes, medium- 2-3 inches: 30 minutes, large- 3-4 inches: 60 minutes.
- When timer beeps, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before releasing the rest of the pressure.
- If for some reason your sweet potatoes are not fully cooked through, place the lid back on the Instant Pot and add an additional 5-10 minutes. Your Instant Pot will come back to pressure quickly.
Tips:
Nutrition Information
© 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.
Hi, I'm Annie. With a Bachelor of Science degree, a minor in nutrition and nearly 20 year of both classical training, and self-taught experience, I've spent my career proving that home cooking can be practical, delicious and inspiring. What started in 2013 as one food blog has grown into a full-time business. Today, my husband Clayton and I run five food websites that connect with millions of home cooks every month.
When I'm not in the kitchen or behind the camera, I'm using fueling my love of travel, or chasing down new ideas that keep food fun and fresh.
Jill Byrer-Boley says
How much more time do you recommend if I wrap my potatoes in foil? We are camping, and I think it would be easier if they were wrapped.
Sandi says
Were you using the instant pot while camping? If so, why would you wrap them in foil (I mean, why do you think it would be easier if they were wrapped)? Just curious. 😉 If we were camping, I'd probably be cooking them in the campfire wrapped in foil. (OH! Were you going to use the foil for a plate? Is that why it would seem easier?)
Rae says
This was SOOO helpful! Thank you SO much!
I used a stovetop pressure cooker that's a little over 8qts and used 2 cups of water per its instructions. They came out perfectly!
Cynthia says
Right on point. I had no problem
Anna says
I have used this recipe multiple times and it always cooks the sweet potatoes perfectly! I use an instant pot mini with no issues or need to change cook time. I prefer baking them in the oven, but in the summer when my house is hot this is always my go-to.
Jen D says
Thank you for figuring out the cook times! With your times, I finally made perfect IP sweet potatoes! 😋
Julie says
Your recommendations work every time!
Vanessa says
Thanks for making this post, I cooked the sweet potatoes in the mini instant pot and it worked great!!
Debbie Stevenson says
These were the most amazing sweet potatoes I've ever had & I can promise you that I'll never ever make them any other way!!! I had 3 potatoes, so they were different sizes between 2 3/4" & 3 1/4", so I did 40 mins & they were absolutely perfect!
Angi Carlston says
I cooked these today. My potatoes were between 2 and 3 inches but closer to 2 so I cooked them for 25 mins. PERFECT. Thanks for doing all the testing! I also love that the skins split right down the middle. Perfect for taking the skins off.
Elizabeth says
I love that you experimented for the rest of us! What a lifesaver this is for holidays and also my pup who enjoys a good sweet potato.
I especially loved your "ta da Perfect Sweet Potatoes!"
Mike says
The extra large sweet potatoes turned out perfect. Thank you for experimenting and turning it into a very useful recipe.
inge Harding says
I just cooked a medium sweet potato in my Mini Instant Pot and was very happy. Thank you for these instructions.
K of PA says
Loved your approach to making perfect potatoes.
As a new experimenting-cook for-one, I like to get a bit of help optimizing my cooking outcomes.
You didn't clear out all the bumps in the process but gave me a good starting point.
Thx K of PA
Barbara says
I have used this method many times to cook my sweet potatoes. I have to say though, you don't have to poke sweet potatoes or regular potatoes. They don't explode. I don't remember where I read this but ever since then I have never poked any kind of potato and they come out just fine.
Marlyse says
I've used your measurements several times now & my sweet potatoes/yams always come out just right. Thank you.
Dilshan says
This is excellent, thank you
rezwan says
It is lovely to have your new contents on regular basis, I am also working on this niche. Check my blog http://www.kitchennblog.com
Kim says
Just what I am looking for. I don’t want to turn the oven on and get the house hot. Thanks for posting.
Karen says
Hi Denise, Thank you for such an amazingly easy recipe. Normally, I would boil my sweet potato, but today I did not want to wait. Your recipe was chosen because of the cook time and it came out perfectly! Looking forward to trying your other recipe ideas.
Carolyn Hicks says
Potatoes came out perfect!!