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    Home » Side Dishes » Microwave Sweet Potato

    Microwave Sweet Potato

    Last updated: Apr 30, 2022 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    Microwave sweet potato is the perfect side dish. It is easy, quick, delicious, and leftovers are great too!

    You can serve it plain (and it's excellent that way!) or add butter and seasonings to make it a bit more interesting.

    Two microwave sweet potato halves served on a white plate and topped with butter.

    I love using the microwave. It's not suitable for everything, of course, but for cooking vegetables, it's often just as good as other methods. So I often make microwave cauliflower, microwave spaghetti squash, and microwave broccoli.

    "Baking" a sweet potato in the microwave is easy and quick. And you can make several of them, keep the leftovers for a few days in the fridge, and briefly reheat them when you want to enjoy them.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need one ingredient to make this super-easy recipe - a medium sweet potato. It should weigh about 7 oz. If yours is bigger than this, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

    An optional ingredient is some butter to put on the cooked potato (salted or unsalted, depending on your own preferences). Some people also like to sprinkle it with cinnamon or even drizzle it with a little honey or maple syrup.

    Instructions

    How to cook a sweet potato in the microwave? It's so easy and fast! Simply pierce the skin and place the potato on a paper towel.

    Then microwave it for 2-3 minutes per side, depending on its size. You will know it's ready when you can easily pierce the flesh with a fork.

    As always when using the microwave, it's best to err on the side of not cooking it for long enough, then gradually adding more sessions. You can't save it if it's overcooked. But you can cook it for a bit longer if it's not fully cooked.

    Once done to your liking, allow the potato to slightly cool, then cut it in half. The recipe card below provides detailed instructions.

    A photo collage showing the steps for cooking a sweet potato in the microwave.

    Frequently asked questions

    Should I peel the potato before cooking?

    You don't have to. You can simply wash it well, then cook it with the skin on. Sweet potato skin is edible, so it's up to you if you want to remove it before eating or not. I like to leave it on.

    How long does it take to cook a sweet potato in the microwave?

    For a medium potato, it takes about 5 minutes. I cook it for three minutes on the first side, then add 2 more minutes on the second side.

    A bigger potato will take longer, so check for doneness by piercing the flesh with a fork. It should be tender.

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

    The idea is to allow some of the steam created by cooking to escape, thus preventing the potato from exploding in the microwave.

    Variations

    After cutting the cooked potato open, for a sweet treat, you can sprinkle it with a pinch of ground cinnamon and drizzle it with melted butter and honey.

    Alternatively, for a savory option, drizzle it with a little olive oil and sprinkle it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and just a little smoked paprika and/or cumin.

    Serving suggestions

    I enjoy cooked sweet potato just as it is, warm and tender and flavorful. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of kosher salt. Obviously, you can add a pat of butter. My husband likes to sprinkle his with a little fine-grated parmesan cheese.

    I know that many people like a sweet version. I haven't tried it myself, but you could try a pat of unsalted butter or coconut oil, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and perhaps a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

    If you'd like to try other savory seasonings, a few tasty options include cumin, smoked paprika, or a sprinkle of grated parmesan.

    Serving suggestions

    This is such a wonderfully versatile side dish. It goes with so many main courses. And since it's so easy to prepare, it frees you up to cook anything you like, even complex dishes.

    I often serve it with baked chicken breast, as a side to reverse-seared steak, or with baked pork chops. It's also excellent with a couple of fried eggs for a tasty and filling meatless dinner.

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave on 50% power. Sometimes I turn the leftovers into mashed sweet potatoes.

    Microwave sweet potato topped with butter.

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    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe card

    Microwave sweet potato
    4.98 from 525 votes
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    10-Minute Microwave Sweet Potato

    Sweet potatoes are filling and delicious, and they can be quickly cooked in the microwave with incredible results.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 178kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    INGREDIENTS

    • 1 medium sweet potato (7 oz)
    • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

    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.
    • Be careful when removing the sweet potato from the microwave - it will be hot. Allow it to rest for 2 minutes before serving.
    • 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. But obviously, you can cut it in half, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and top it with a little butter.

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    Toppings such as butter are optional and were not included in the nutrition info. 
    There's no need to peel the potato. You can simply wash it well, then 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 or not. I like to leave it on.
    This is not a low-carb recipe. 

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    DISCLAIMERSMost of our 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 our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Serving: 1sweet potato | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Sodium: 71mg | Fiber: 6g
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    More Low-Carb Side Dish Recipes

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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