Microwave sweet potato is an easy and healthy lunch option for when you want something quick and tasty. Filling, comforting and nutritious - there are so many topping options that you will never get bored of them. Follow all out tips for how to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave for best results.
Microwave baked sweet potatoes are a fast and efficient way to cook them. It saves time compared to traditional baking methods, which can take up to an hour and you still get light and fluffy potatoes.
Microwaving sweet potatoes also helps to retain more of their nutrients, as they are not exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time. Load them with your favorite toppings (lots of options below) and you have a comforting and budget friendly meal.
If you are looking for more sweet potato recipes, why not try our quick Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes, crispy Baked Sweet Potato Chips, easy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad or our comforting Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup.
You can also make an Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato too!
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- 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.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave - Step by Step
- Step 1: Wash and dry the sweet potatoes.
- Step 2: Use a fork or knife to pierce the skin of the potatoes all over.
- Step 3: Put on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 8 minutes (based on a 1000w microwave).
- Step 4: Slice open lengthways and serve with butter, salt and pepper (all optional).
How Long To Cook Sweet Potato in the Microwave
A microwave baked sweet potato takes around 8-10 minutes at high power in the microwave. However, this depends on your microwave and the size of your sweet potato.
A larger potato could take around 12-14 minutes, whilst a small one could take only 6-7 minutes.
After microwaving, use a fork to check how tender the potato is. The fork should slide into the sweet potato easily. If the sweet potato isn't soft enough, continue microwaving in 1-minute increments until it reaches the desired tenderness.
If cooking multiple sweet potatoes, increase the cook time by 2-3 minutes per additional potato.
Microwave Sweet Potato 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 - These 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.
Serving Suggestions
A microwave baked sweet potato 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
Tips For Making The BEST Microwave Sweet Potatoes
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave at 50% power until heated through.
More Microwave Recipes
If you’ve tried this sweet potato in microwave recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
How to Cook Sweet Potato in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 2 Sweet potatoes
- Butter - (optional)
- Sea salt - (optional)
- Ground 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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Katherine says
Microwaves make it so easy to cook sweet potatoes! Then allllll the toppings. Yum!
Jacqueline says
Microwaves are so handy for baked spuds. Very quick and easy.
tavo says
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 says
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 says
Quick, easy, and delicious! The microwave is a game-changer for making sweet potatoes - a perfect side dish!
Stacey Crawford says
Great idea! I love sweet potatoes, but they take so long to bake. These I can make in minutes.
Liz McCray says
I love a nice and simple way to make something that doesn't leave a huge mess!
TAYLER ROSS says
I used this method to make sweet potatoes for dinner last night, and they were delicious! They turned out perfectly.
Elizabeth says
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 says
This looks perfect! I love sweet potatoes but never kept them simple like this so I'm excited to give this a go.