How to Microwave a Sweet Potato: A Fast, Easy, and Delicious Guide

Microwaving a sweet potato is a game-changer for busy weeknights or when you crave a nutritious and comforting side dish in minutes. This method is not only incredibly quick and easy, but it also yields a perfectly tender and flavorful sweet potato that can be enjoyed in countless ways. Whether you’re looking for a simple side, a base for loaded toppings, or a healthy snack, mastering the microwave sweet potato is an essential kitchen skill.

Just like microwaving other vegetables such as cauliflower, spaghetti squash, or broccoli, using the microwave for sweet potatoes retains their natural goodness and flavor with minimal effort. Forget about long baking times in the oven; with a microwave, you can have a perfectly cooked sweet potato ready to eat in just a fraction of the time. Plus, cooking multiple sweet potatoes at once and storing them for later makes meal prepping a breeze. You can quickly reheat them for a fast and healthy addition to any meal throughout the week.

Simple Ingredients for Microwaved Sweet Potato

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need one key ingredient:

A Medium Sweet Potato: Aim for a sweet potato around 7 ounces for the cooking times provided. If your potato is larger, you’ll simply need to adjust the microwave time accordingly.

For serving, consider these optional additions to enhance the flavor:

Butter: Salted or unsalted, depending on your taste preference. A pat of butter melts beautifully into the warm sweet potato.
Seasonings: From a simple sprinkle of salt to cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup for sweetness, the possibilities are endless.

Step-by-Step Guide: Microwaving Your Sweet Potato

Cooking a sweet potato in the microwave is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfectly cooked result every time:

Prepare the Sweet Potato: Begin by thoroughly washing and drying your sweet potato. There’s no need to peel it at this stage, as the skin is edible and adds valuable nutrients.
Pierce the Skin: Using a fork, pierce the sweet potato skin several times. This crucial step allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing the potato from bursting in the microwave – and making a mess!
Microwave: Place the pierced sweet potato on a paper towel in your microwave. Microwave on high power for 3 minutes.
Flip and Continue Cooking: Carefully flip the sweet potato to the other side. Microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Check for Doneness: The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your sweet potato and your microwave’s power. To check if it’s done, pierce the flesh with a fork. It should be easily pierced and feel tender throughout. If it’s still firm, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until it reaches the desired tenderness. Remember, it’s always better to undercook slightly and add more time rather than overcooking, which can lead to a dry potato.
Cool and Serve: Once cooked, let the sweet potato cool slightly before handling. Then, slice it in half lengthwise. Now it’s ready to be enjoyed plain or with your favorite toppings!

Frequently Asked Questions about Microwaving Sweet Potatoes

Do I need to peel the sweet potato before microwaving?

No, peeling is not necessary! Simply wash the sweet potato thoroughly and microwave it with the skin on. Sweet potato skin is packed with nutrients and completely edible. Whether you choose to eat the skin or not after cooking is a matter of personal preference. Many people enjoy the slightly chewy texture and added fiber the skin provides.

How long does it take to microwave a sweet potato?

For a medium-sized sweet potato (about 7 ounces), it typically takes around 5 minutes in total. This is usually broken down into 3 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the flipped side. Larger sweet potatoes will require more time. Always check for doneness by piercing with a fork – it should be tender when ready.

Why is piercing the skin before microwaving important?

Piercing the skin with a fork is essential for safety and to ensure even cooking. As the sweet potato cooks in the microwave, steam builds up inside. Piercing the skin allows this steam to escape, preventing pressure from building up to the point where the sweet potato could potentially explode. It also helps the potato cook more evenly.

Delicious Variations to Elevate Your Microwave Sweet Potato

Microwaved sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile. Here are a few delicious ways to dress them up:

Sweet Sensations:

Cinnamon and Honey: Sprinkle ground cinnamon and drizzle with melted butter and honey for a classic sweet treat.
Maple Syrup and Pecans: Top with maple syrup and chopped pecans for a richer, autumnal flavor.
Brown Sugar and Marshmallows: For a dessert-like experience, add a pat of butter, brown sugar, and mini marshmallows (briefly microwave again to melt marshmallows).

Savory Delights:

Olive Oil and Herbs: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and your favorite herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Spicy Southwestern: Top with black beans, corn, salsa, avocado, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Mediterranean Style: Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of oregano.
Loaded Baked Potato Style: Add chili, cheese, sour cream, and green onions for a heartier meal.

Serving Suggestions for Microwave Sweet Potato

Microwave sweet potato is an incredibly versatile side dish that pairs well with a wide variety of main courses. Its ease of preparation makes it a perfect choice even when you’re preparing more complex dishes.

Try serving it alongside:

Protein Mains: Baked chicken breast, reverse-seared steak, baked pork chops, grilled salmon, or tofu.
Breakfast or Brunch: Serve with fried eggs or as a side to a breakfast skillet.
Vegetarian Meals: Pair with lentil soup, vegetarian chili, or a hearty salad.

Storing Leftover Microwave Sweet Potato

Leftover microwave sweet potato can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, gently microwave at 50% power until warmed through. You can also repurpose leftover sweet potato in creative ways, such as mashing it for sweet potato mash, adding it to soups or stews, or even incorporating it into baked goods like muffins or bread.

Related Recipes

Microwave Cauliflower

Microwave Spaghetti Squash

Microwave Broccoli

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Recipe Card: Quick Microwave Sweet Potato

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Microwave Sweet Potato

Microwave sweet potato is the perfect side dish. It is easy, quick, and delicious. You can serve it plain or add butter and seasonings.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 178kcal
Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

1 medium sweet potato (7 ounces)

Optional Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

Instructions

Wash and dry the sweet potato. Don’t peel it. Pierce it in a few places with a fork.
Place the potato on a paper towel and microwave it on high for 3 minutes. Turn it to the other side and microwave for 2 more minutes or until fork-tender (see the Notes section below).
Be careful when removing the sweet potato from the microwave – it will be hot. Allow it to rest for 2 minutes, then cut it in half.
If desired, sprinkle the potato with kosher salt and top it with butter. Serve immediately.

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Video

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Notes

Larger potatoes will need more time in the microwave. Start with 3 minutes per side. The potato should be easily pierced with a fork. If its middle is still hard, flip it again and add an extra minute. Check again and add more time as needed.
Microwave ovens vary. You will need to adjust the cooking time according to the results you get in your own kitchen. Start with the recommended time and add more as needed.
Toppings such as butter and salt are optional and were not included in the nutrition info.
I like to simply slice the cooked potato and enjoy its natural sweetness – I don’t even sprinkle it with salt, as I find the saltiness detracts from its natural flavor.
There’s no need to peel the potato. Wash it well and microwave it with the skin on. Sweet potato skin is edible, so it’s up to you if you want to remove it before eating. I like to leave it on.
You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power.
This is not a low-carb recipe.

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Nutrition per Serving

Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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