These microwave sweet potatoes are seriously a game changer if you want a fast, healthy side dish that doesn’t leave a mess. I love that I can have fluffy, tender sweet potatoes in minutes, with no oven or boiling required. Just pop one in the microwave, and by the time I’m ready with my toppings—maybe a sprinkle of salt, a pat of butter, or a dash of cinnamon—it’s perfectly cooked and ready to eat. This recipe is proof that the simplest methods are sometimes the best!
This post contains helpful tips and tricks! If you’re in a rush, please use the “Jump to Recipe” above!
💭 Microwave Sweet Potatoes Without the Mess
This microwave sweet potato recipe is quick, mess-free, and practically effortless! I love how simple it is to make—a few pokes, a wrap in a damp paper towel, and it’s ready in minutes. It’s my secret weapon for busy days when I still want something warm and comforting without waiting for the oven to preheat.
I started using this microwave method back in college when I had almost no kitchen tools, and it’s stayed a go-to ever since for when time is short, but I still want a healthy side that feels like a treat.
- Perfect for a quick meal. Shorter cook time, less effort, and will leave no mess to clean up making it perfect for quick everyday meals.
- Foolproof method. Fluffy and delicious sweet potatoes every time.
Want more easy microwave recipes? Check out microwave asparagus, microwave corn on the cob, microwave baked potatoes, or microwave broccoli.
Wondering what to make with your microwaved sweet potatoes? Make sweet potato waffles, Jamaican sweet potato pudding, double crusted sweet potato pie, or go savory with this savory sweet potato casserole.
📋 Ingredients and notes
To microwave sweet potatoes, you’ll need one sweet potato, salt, and black pepper. You can also add butter to make a creamier sweet potato.
Notes and variations
- Whole sweet potatoes. Use any medium sweet potato with a smooth and firm skin for this recipe.
- Butter. You can use either unsalted or salted butter for this recipe. You can also use margarine as a dairy-free option.
- Seasonings and herbs. To spice up your microwaved sweet potato, you can add garlic powder, paprika, and cumin for a savory flavor. You can also go the sweet way and add butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, and brown sugar.
- Sweet potato toppings. Level up your sweet potatoes by adding delicious toppings like sour cream, black beans, feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, or even your favorite nut butter.
📖 Microwaving sweet potatoes
Wash the sweet potato and poke several holes in it with a fork.
Wrap the potato in a damp paper towel.
Place it on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 10 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Carefully remove the plate from the microwave, cut open the sweet potato and add butter to the center.
Season the cooked sweet potato with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy!
Shruthi’s Top Tip
Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes: Medium potatoes cook best in the microwave. For larger potatoes, increase cooking time; for smaller ones, check for doneness earlier.
- Clean the spuds of the sweet potato thoroughly with a brush under cold running water. You don’t want any additional dirt!
- Rotate halfway through cooking: Turn the sweet potato over at the halfway point to ensure even cooking from all sides.
- Check doneness with a fork: After the initial cook time, pierce the potato with a fork. If it slides in easily, it’s done. If not, continue in 30-second intervals.
- Adjust time for your microwave’s wattage: Cooking times may vary by microwave wattage. High-wattage microwaves may cook potatoes faster, so check periodically after the 5-minute mark.
Looking for creative ways to use sweet potatoes? Try this sweet potato cake or this savory sweet potato casserole – you won’t regret it!
👩🏽🍳 Troubleshooting FAQs
You can cook more than one, but cook one at a time for the best results. If microwaving two, place them side by side and increase the cook time by 1-2 minutes, checking for doneness.
Microwave for additional 30-second intervals, checking with a fork each time. Large or dense sweet potatoes may need extra time.
It’s possible to overcook sweet potatoes. When you cook them too long in the microwave, they can become dry and mushy. You can avoid this by rotating the sweet potato halfway through cooking and checking the microwave in 30-second increments.
🍴 Serve and store microwave sweet potatoes
Serve microwave sweet potatoes while hot. These sweet potatoes make for an easy and healthy meal and they are a great side dish, with any main course!
Store: To store leftover sweet potatoes, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When reheating, heat it in the microwave for 1 minute or until it is heated through.
Freeze: To freeze, let the sweet potato cool completely before wrapping it in an aluminum foil plastic wrap. Put the wrapped sweet potato in a freezer bag before keeping it in the freezer. You can freeze it for up to 6 months.
More Easy Microwave Recipes
For more easy and delicious microwave recipes, try out our favorite recipes!
📖 Recipe
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to comment and rate! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Microwave Sweet Potato
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash the sweet potato and poke several holes in it with a fork.
- Wrap the potato in a damp paper towel.
- Place it on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 10 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Carefully remove the plate from the microwave, cut open the sweet potato and add the butter to the center.
- Season the sweet potato with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Choose a medium-sized sweet potato for even cooking.
- Wrap in a damp paper towel to keep it moist.
- Poke holes all over with a fork to release steam.
- Rotate halfway through cooking for even results.
- Check doneness with a fork and add 30-second intervals if needed
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
First time to cook sweet potato in the microwave. This was quick and easy to make and healthy too! I served mine with a big chunk of butter on top, a little blackpepper and some parsely on top. Yum! thanks for sharing!
Mind blown by how easy this is. I needed a quick side to go with tonight’s dinner and made this. It was perfectly cooked.