How to Make Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave

Sweet potatoes are super versatile, healthy, and flavorful, and if you’ve been wondering how to microwave a sweet potato and get it cooked, ready to be put to use, you’ve come to the right place.

It actually takes just a few minutes to microwave a sweet potato and transform it into a delicious side or snack.

Ideal for any occasion, and even work as a snack that will leave you with a rich taste in your mouth.

See below to make them with my pictured step-by-step, enjoy and let me know in the comments section below how they turned out!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why I Love to Microwave a Sweet Potato

• It is the easiest way to cook sweet potatoes
• It needs minimal kitchen equipment
• Less cleanup after you’re done
• The texture is similar to that of a baked potato

How to serve the Microwave Sweet Potatoes

Microwave sweet potatoes are super versatile, and you can serve and enjoy them in a ton of ways. 

• Once they are done, you can cut them in half and dig in with a spoon or a fork. 
• For some extra flavor, you can also add a bit of butter and your favorite seasonings into it, right before you serve. 
• Chopped herbs can be a wonderful addition too. Top the microwave sweet potato with chopped spring onions, chives parsley or almost any other fresh herb you can get your hands on. 
• A dollop of sour cream or some salsa can also elevate the flavors of this rather humble side. 
• For a quick, no-fuss serving idea, just top the split microwave sweet potato with a dash of hot sauce. 

And of course, these sweet potatoes can be a great side to any of your main dishes too. 

Tips:

Before you get started making sweet potatoes in the microwave, here are a few additional tips and tricks you might want to take note of. 

• Be careful when you get the cooked sweet potato out of the microwave. It will likely be very hot, so give it a few minutes to cool down. 
• Poking holes in the sweet potato before you microwave it is an absolute must, especially if you’re cooking a whole sweet potato. Doing this will prevent any accidents in the microwave. 
• When reheating a sweet potato that has already been cooked in the microwave, make sure you place it in a microwave-safe dish or sprinkle a few drops of water on it to keep it from drying out. 

Variations:

For this recipe, we’ve used a whole sweet potato, but you can also cut the sweet potato into cubes or wedges or even slice it before you microwave it. 

This way, you’ll be able to enjoy different variations of it too. These chopped sweet potatoes can then be added to your soups, stews, and curries, and the sliced versions can be served as chips.

Ingredients:

• 2 Sweet Potatoes 
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• Olive Oil
• Butter 

How to Make Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave:

Step 1. Wash the sweet potatoes well, and pat them dry. 

Step 2. Poke holes in the potatoes with the tines of a fork. 

Step 3. Pour some olive oil over the potatoes and rub it in completely. 

Step 4. Add salt and pepper to taste to the outside of the potatoes. 

Step 5. Cook for 5 minutes in the microwave. 

Step 6. Continue to cook for one minute at a time until the sweet potatoes reach your desired level of doneness. 

Step 7. Slice open and garnish with butter or your favorite toppings before serving. Enjoy!

PIN this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

How long should a sweet potato cook in the microwave?

In general, a medium-sized potato can take up to 5 minutes of time to get completely cooked in the microwave. 

Is it OK to microwave sweet potatoes?

The microwave has received a lot of bad rap in the last few years, but research has found the exact opposite. Microwaving food is actually one of the safest ways to cook food. 

Food that is microwaved and cooked tends to have a lot more nutrients than food that was deep or pan fried, and the same holds true for sweet potatoes too. 

So yes, it is completely okay to microwave sweet potatoes. 

Can I cut the sweet potato in half before microwaving it?

Yes, you can do that too. In fact, you can also slice the sweet potato or chop it into cubes before you microwave it. Of course, the cooking time will then be different, and much less in general. 

How long does it take to microwave a sweet potato?

It usually takes about 5 minutes or less to microwave a sweet potato. The time needed depends on the size of the potato and if you have cut it into smaller pieces or not. 

How to store the Microwave Sweet Potatoes?

The best way to store microwave sweet potatoes, in my opinion, is to refrigerate them. You’ll need to make sure you cover them properly. 

You can do this by wrapping them in cling film or placing them in an airtight container. 

How to reheat the Sweet Potatoes?

You can use the microwave again to reheat sweet potatoes, or pop them in the oven for a few minutes if you want that extra crispy texture. 

How Long Do Microwaved Sweet Potatoes Last in the fridge?

The microwaved sweet potatoes can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, when stored correctly. I would not recommend storing them beyond that point. 

Can I Make Microwave Sweet Potatoes Ahead of Time?

You can! The microwaved sweet potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days, so if you want, you can make them in a batch, move them all to an airtight container and prep them ahead of time. 

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy

Sweet Potato Pancakes: Sweet, fluffy and a super healthy and nutritious breakfast. 

Sweet Potato Casserole: An all time favorite comfort food gets a nutritious touch with sweet potatoes. 

Sweet Potato Fritters: A crunchy, ultra flavorful and incredibly healthy snack option.