• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Keto 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 Jump to Video Print Recipe

    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.

    Related recipes

    • Microwave spaghetti squash served on a white plate with a fork.
      Microwave Spaghetti Squash
    • Jicama fries wrapped in a parchment paper cone.
      Baked Jicama Fries
    • Roasted pumpkin on a baking sheet.
      Roasted Pumpkin
    • Mashed pumpkin served in a white bowl.
      Mashed Pumpkin

    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Microwave sweet potato topped with butter.
    4.99 from 558 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    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 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 178kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    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. 

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 1sweet potato | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Sodium: 71mg | Fiber: 6g
    SubscribeI aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon
    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.

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Keto Side Dishes

    • Caramelized onions served on a white plate with a napkin.
      Caramelized Onions
    • Hearts of palm pasta served on a white plate with a fork.
      Hearts of Palm Pasta
    • Three latkes served on a white plate.
      Perfect Latkes
    • Sweet potato patties stacked on a white plate.
      Sweet Potato Patties

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Each comment is reviewed before being published. We reserve the right to publish, delete, or edit comments.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    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.


    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Fall Recipes

    • Roasted pumpkin on a baking sheet.
      Roasted Pumpkin
    • Cabbage casserole served in a white baking dish with a serving spoon.
      Cabbage Casserole
    • Keto pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
      Keto Pumpkin Pie
    • Moroccan chicken served in a white saucepan.
      Moroccan Chicken
    • Pulled chicken served in a white bowl.
      Pulled Chicken
    • Keto pumpkin bread, sliced, served on a white tray.
      Keto Pumpkin Bread
    • Pumpkin curry soup served in a white bowl.
      Pumpkin Curry Soup
    • Roasted butternut squash served in a white bowl with a napkin.
      Roasted Butternut Squash
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked chicken breast served on a white plate with a fork.
      How To Bake Chicken Breast
    • Cauliflower pizza crust topped with cheese and pepperoni.
      Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    • Microwave bacon served on paper towels.
      Microwave Bacon
    • Oven-baked pork chops in a cast-iron skillet.
      Oven-Baked Pork Chops
    • Turkey burger in a bun.
      Turkey Burgers
    • Grilled chicken breast, sliced and served on a white plate.
      Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Pork roast, sliced, and served on a white platter with broccoli.
      Easy Boneless Pork Roast
    • Baked chicken wings served on a white plate with a dip.
      Baked Chicken Wings

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Accessibility Statement


    Copyright © 2023