How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave

Oh, sweet potatoes in the microwave? Yes, please! This is the ultimate hack for anyone who wants to enjoy deliciously cooked sweet potatoes in just a few minutes. Just pierce them, zap them, and savor the goodness of perfectly cooked sweet potatoes. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s oh-so-delicious!

It’s quick and easy to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave, in less than 10 minutes, you can have fluffy, fully-cooked sweet potatoes, instead of in almost an hour, using the oven or air fryer.

Cooked sweet potatoes can be eaten as-is or used to make sweet potato casseroles for the holidays.

Just like baked sweet potatoes, microwaved sweet potatoes can be used in all sorts of recipes. Their flesh can be scooped out to make mashed sweet potatoes or dozens of other recipes, or you can eat them just as they are (with some butter for good measure!).

How long do you microwave a sweet potato?

If you’re wondering how long to microwave a sweet potato, it only takes about three minutes for one sweet potato. You’ll have to add some time the more you have. There are a few tips and tricks to make sure your baked sweet potato comes out of the microwave perfectly, but it’s really easy to do.

Is it healthy to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave?

Yes! It’s very healthy to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave. In fact, it might be the healthiest way. Sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense vegetables, but the longer you cook them, the more the nutrients deteriorate. So, when they bake in the oven, they lose some of their nutritional value. When you boil them, a lot of the nutrients seep into the water. So microwaving them quickly actually preserves more of their nutrients.

How many sweet potatoes for 1 cup of mashed potatoes?

For every cup of mashed sweet potatoes you need, use 1 medium-sized sweet potato. Just microwave and when cool to the touch, remove the skin. You only need a cup of mashed sweet potatoes to make sweet potato sticky buns. For sweet potato biscuits, streusel muffins or iron skilelt cornbread, you’ll need a little more.

Why you’ll love this method for cooking sweet potatoes

• It’s fast! Just 6 minutes is all it takes.
• It’s convenient since your oven isn’t occupied for an hour (or more).
• It doesn’t heat up your kitchen the way an oven might.
• It helps the sweet potatoes retain their nutrients.
• They are super easy to peel.

Simple steps for cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave

Step 1: Prepare

Wash your sweet potatoes, then poke them with a fork all over. Cover your sweet potatoes with a damp paper towel (you might have to use more than one).

Step 2: Microwave

Place your sweet potatoes in the microwave on a microwave-safe dish or right on the microwave plate (but make sure it’s clean). Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Flip your sweet potatoes over or rotate them and microwave for another 3 minutes. If making a lot, you may need to turn them and microwave for another minute or 2. You should be able to easily squeeze them.

Remove them from the microwave. Be careful! They’ll be hot! Allow them to cool until you can handle them, or serve them piping hot.

Tips for how to bake a sweet potato in the microwave

• Use wet paper towels on top of your sweet potatoes to help them retain their moisture while cooking.
• Before removing them, pierce them with a fork all the way through. Your fork should easily slide through the entire sweet potato. If it doesn’t, microwave for another minute and check again.
• If you’re microwaving more than one sweet potato, try to make sure they’re roughly the same size. This will help them cook more evenly.
• This time frame will work with 2-4 medium-sized sweet potatoes. If you need more than that, increase the time by a few minutes or microwave in batches.

How to store cooked sweet potatoes

You can easily store your cooked sweet potatoes (or mashed sweet potatoes) in the fridge in a covered container. They should stay fresh for 3-5 days. You can use leftover sweet potatoes to make sweet potato casserole with bacon, our favorite for Thanksgiving.

Can I freeze cooked sweet potatoes?

Yes, you can freeze cooked sweet potatoes. Let the sweet potatoes cool to room temperature, then scoop out the flesh. Place it in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw in the fridge before using them in your recipe.

Sweet potato FAQs

How long to cook a sweet potato in the oven?

You can cook sweet potatoes in the oven. Just pierce them with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. You can top them with a spread of butter if you’d like. Bake them at 425°F for 50 minutes or until the flesh is easily pierced with a fork.

Can you cook sweet potatoes in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook a sweet potato in the air fryer. It will come out just as delicious as if you baked it. A Southern Soul has all the tips you need to make the best air fryer sweet potatoes.

What can I do with leftover sweet potatoes?

Now that you have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes in less than 10 minutes, what can you do with them. Here are some of my favorite ways to use cooked sweet potatoes.

More delicious sweet potato recipes to love

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