Microwave sweet potato is an easy and healthy lunch option for when you want something quick and tasty. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fibre. They are also low in fat and calories too and there are so many topping options. Cooking sweet potato in the microwave is the BEST way to cook them.
Microwaving sweet potatoes is a fast and efficient way to cook them. It saves time compared to traditional baking methods, which can take up to an hour.
Microwaving sweet potatoes also helps to retain more of their nutrients, as they are not exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time. This makes them a healthier option. Follow all our tips for how to microwave sweet potato.
If you are looking for more sweet potato recipes, why not try our crispy Baked Sweet Potato Chips, easy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad or our comforting Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup.
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Sweet potatoes - Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and versatile vegetable that are a great addition to any diet. They are often confused with yams, but they are actually two different vegetables. Sweet potatoes are native to South America and are a member of the morning glory family.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make microwave sweet potato - Step by step
One: Wash and dry the sweet potatoes.
Two: Use a fork or knife to pierce the skin of the potatoes all over.
Three: Put on a microwave safe plate and cook on high for 8 minutes (based on a 1000w microwave).
Four: Slice open lengthways and serve with butter, salt and pepper (all optional).
Toppings
The great thing about a microwave sweet potato is that the toppings are almost endless. We kept it simple with some butter and plenty of salt and pepper, but we have lots of other options for you.
Sweet Toppings - Microwave sweet potatoes are a versatile and delicious food that can be enjoyed in many ways. One of the easiest ways to enjoy them is by adding sweet toppings. Here are a few ideas:
- Honey and cinnamon: Drizzle honey over the sweet potato and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
- Maple syrup and pecans: Drizzle maple syrup over the sweet potato and sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
- Brown sugar and butter: Sprinkle brown sugar on top of the sweet potato and add a pat of butter.
Savoury Toppings - Sweet potatoes are also great with savoury toppings. Here are a few ideas:
- Black beans and salsa: Top the sweet potato with black beans and salsa for a Mexican-inspired dish.
- Bacon and cheddar cheese: Sprinkle cooked bacon and shredded cheddar cheese on top of the sweet potato.
- Sour cream and chives: Top the sweet potato with a dollop of sour cream and chopped chives.
No matter how you choose to enjoy your sweet potato from the microwave, it's sure to be a delicious and satisfying meal.
Serving suggestions
Sweet potato microwaved is great for a quick and easy lunch, but it's also the perfect addition to so many other meals. Here are some of our main recipes that would go well with this:
- Chicken Kiev
- Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Air Fryer Steak
- Creamy Dill Salmon
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Tomato, Chilli and Basil Marinated Chicken
- Vegetable and Halloumi Skewers
Frequently Asked Questions
8 minutes gave us the perfect sweet potato in our microwave. It was perfectly fluffy inside. However, every microwave is different, so if after 8 minutes it isn't quick cooked, then cook it for an extra 30 seconds at a time. Our microwave is 1000w. The size of your sweet potato can vary the cooking time too.
Sweet potatoes are a good source of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly high in vitamin A, which is important for eye health, and potassium, which is important for heart health. They are also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese.
Use a fork to pierce the potato in the thickest part. If the fork goes in easily, the potato is cooked. If it's still hard in the centre, return it to the microwave and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, 30 seconds at a time.
Microwave sweet potatoes is a great way to cook a few of them and then keep them for meals throughout the week. Store them in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave at 50% power until heated through.
Extra tips
• When selecting sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm and free from cracks or soft spots. Store them in a cool, dry place and use them within a week or two of purchase. Sweet potatoes can be cooked in many different ways, including baking, boiling, or microwaving. They can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, making them a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
• Make sure the sweet potato is washed and dried before microwaving. Then, pierce the skin with a fork to allow steam to escape. This helps prevent the sweet potato from exploding in the microwave.
• Let the sweet potato rest for a few minutes after microwaving. This allows the heat to distribute evenly throughout the sweet potato, making it easier to handle and preventing burns.
• There is no need to peel the sweet potato first. The skin is edible and delicious.
• If you are cooking more than 2 sweet potatoes, you will need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. If you are only cooking one, it will only need 6-7 minutes.
More microwave recipes
If you’ve tried this sweet potato in microwave recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Microwave Sweet Potato
Ingredients
- 2 Sweet potatoes
- Butter - (optional)
- Sea salt - (optional)
- Black pepper - (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and dry the sweet potatoes.
- Use a fork or knife to pierce the skin of the potatoes all over.
- Put on a microwave safe plate and cook on high for 8 minutes (based on a 1000w microwave).
- Slice open lengthways and serve with butter, salt and pepper (all optional).
Recipe tips
- When selecting sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm and free from cracks or soft spots. Store them in a cool, dry place and use them within a week or two of purchase. Sweet potatoes can be cooked in many different ways, including baking, boiling, or microwaving. They can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, making them a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
- Make sure the sweet potato is washed and dried before microwaving. Then, pierce the skin with a fork to allow steam to escape. This helps prevent the sweet potato from exploding in the microwave.
- Let the sweet potato rest for a few minutes after microwaving. This allows the heat to distribute evenly throughout the sweet potato, making it easier to handle and preventing burns.
- There is no need to peel the sweet potato first. The skin is edible and delicious.
- If you are cooking more than 2 sweet potatoes, you will need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. If you are only cooking one, it will only need 6-7 minutes.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Katherine
Microwaves make it so easy to cook sweet potatoes! Then allllll the toppings. Yum!
Jacqueline
Microwaves are so handy for baked spuds. Very quick and easy.
tavo
Your post was truly enlightening! The instructions were clear, precise, and well-articulated, ensuring a fuss-free preparation. I absolutely loved the bit about adjusting cooking times according to the size of the sweet potato - it worked like a charm for me. The result? A perfectly cooked, nutritious, and delicious sweet potato that brightened up my dinner plate. Keep sharing such delightful and easy-to-follow recipes!
Stephanie
These microwave sweet potatoes where so simple and quick to make - and the potatoes cooked perfectly. So nice to not have to turn my oven on during our heat wave!
Ava M
Quick, easy, and delicious! The microwave is a game-changer for making sweet potatoes - a perfect side dish!
Stacey Crawford
Great idea! I love sweet potatoes, but they take so long to bake. These I can make in minutes.
Liz McCray
I love a nice and simple way to make something that doesn't leave a huge mess!
TAYLER ROSS
I used this method to make sweet potatoes for dinner last night, and they were delicious! They turned out perfectly.
Elizabeth
Shortcuts like this are great for busy nights. I've been trying to eat healthier so making a sweet potato in the microwave is a quick and easy way to help accomplish that.
dana
This looks perfect! I love sweet potatoes but never kept them simple like this so I'm excited to give this a go.