Microwave Sweet Potato {7 Minutes} - The Big Man's World ®

Name: Microwave Sweet Potato
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: 2 sweet potatoes (I used medium-sized ones)

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My microwave sweet potato recipe is hands-off and guarantees light and fluffy sweet potatoes every time. Ready in 7 minutes, it’s a fast and healthy side dish!

Love all things sweet potato? Try my air fryer sweet potato fries, stuffed sweet potatoes, sweet potato pancakes, and sweet potato muffins next.

Sweet potatoes are a go-to side dish in my house, and as much as we love air frying them, I dare say the microwave is even more convenient.

With minimal prep time, you’ll have tender, perfectly cooked sweet potatoes that are light, fluffy, and easily paired with anything (just ask a certain family member who loves it with marshmallows and honey. Don’t ask).

Table of Contents

Why I love this recipe
Ingredients needed
How to microwave sweet potatoes
Arman’s recipe tips
Storage instructions
Frequently asked questions
More ways to cook sweet potatoes
Microwave Sweet Potato (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

Works as a side or a meal. Serve it as is with a little butter and salt, or top it with all sorts of toppings! I’ll be sure to list some of my favorites below.
Ready in less than 7 minutes. That’s the beauty of microwaving vegetables.
No oil needed. You get all the fiber, vitamins, and minerals but with none of the excess calories or fat.
Great texture. The skin is crisp and hides a warm, fluffy center.
Makes great leftovers. As you can imagine, they’re easy to reheat in the microwave.

microwave whole sweet potato with melted butter.

Ingredients needed

Sweet potatoes. You can use any potato of your choosing, but note that the bigger they are, the longer they’ll take to cook. Pick potatoes that are firm with little to no wrinkles.
Toppings/fillings. Don’t be afraid to experiment. To keep them simple, I mostly use salt, black pepper, and butter. For a sweet version, I use cinnamon sugar. For an all-in-one meal, fill them with ground meat, shredded cheese, beans, and sour cream. I’ll include a few options in the variations section.

How to microwave sweet potatoes

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Clean the potatoes. Scrub each potato and run it under cold water to remove dirt. Pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 2- Prep. Use a fork or paring knife to poke holes all over the potato.

scrubbed and washed raw sweet potatoes on a plate.

Step 3- Microwave. Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 5-7 minutes, depending on its size. The potato is done when it can be easily pierced with a fork.

Step 4- Cool and serve. Let the cooked sweet potato rest for several minutes, then slice in half and serve with desired toppings.

Arman’s recipe tips

Peel the potato if desired. It’s totally up to you. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t! I find without skin yields slightly less tender potatoes (I’d describe it as waxy)..
Microwave them one at a time if the potatoes are quite large.
Check at the 5-minute mark. The cooking time will vary depending on how large the potatoes are. Smaller potatoes may cook in 5 minutes, but if yours is still firm, continue microwaving in one-minute intervals, checking between each.
Oil the skin. While optional, I find brushing olive oil on the skin helps it become more tender.

Variations

Mexican. Fill with taco meat, black beans, salsa, sliced avocado, and sour cream.
Sweet. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Maple. Top with butter, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt.
Peanut butter. Drizzle with peanut butter (or almond butter).

Storage instructions

To store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 -4 days.

To freeze: Place cooked and cooled sweet potatoes in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months.

Reheating: Microwave leftovers in 30-second increments until warm or heat them in a preheated oven or air fryer.

Leftover ideas

I often end up with more sweet potatoes than I need. When this happens, I dice them up to use in vegan chili. Alternatively, mash them until smooth and use them in baking sweet potato blondies, sweet potato muffins, or savory pancakes.

split microwave sweet potato with butter on top.

Frequently asked questions

Should I wrap my potato in a damp paper towel?

While optional, wrapping potatoes in a damp paper towel can help the skin soften and cook the potato while retaining moisture.

Why do you pierce the skin with a fork before microwaving?

It’s always a good idea to poke holes or pierce potatoes with a fork before cooking, because doing so allows the steam to escape during the cooking process. It also prevents any potential potato explosions.

More ways to cook sweet potatoes