How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes [Perfectly Soft & Fluffy!]

Wondering how to microwave sweet potatoes to be perfectly soft and fluffy every time? Try this super simple and quick method for cooking sweet potatoes as a side dish or as a hearty snack, in under 10 minutes!

Why Use the Microwave Instead of the Oven?

It’s a game-changer to be able to cook healthy meals quickly when life is busy. Whether it’s a busy night or a hectic weekend, having a nourishing meal ready in just minutes is a huge win! Plus, a microwave uses less energy and is particularly effective in heating food in a short time. It’s also my go-to cooking tool when there isn’t enough room on the stove or in the oven.

Sweet potatoes (and white potatoes) can take up to an hour or longer to cook in the oven. Since many of us don’t have an hour or more to get lunch or dinner ready every day, the microwave is a life-saver, cooking nourishing food, like sweet potatoes, to be steaming hot in under 10 minutes. This recipe has saved me so much time! It also ensures I can eat nutrient-dense, satiating meal even when I’m in a rush!

Is Using a Microwave to Cook Safe?

Absolutely! We should not be concerned about the microwave’s impact on the food, as we cook the dish very quickly. As always, it is best to use the correct cookware or container so it will not affect the quality of the food.

Using a microwave to prepare a quality plant food like sweet potatoes enables you to make healthy choices even when busy. Sweet potatoes are a valuable source of beta carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. In addition, they have other vitamins and minerals that include Vitamins A, B5, B6, E, and manganese. They’re also high in fiber, low in fat, low glycemic, and even deliver some protein! 

How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes

It’s simple to microwave a sweet potato. There are no special tools or ingredients required.  For this recipe, we are using 1 medium-sized potato. Allow me to walk you through the process of making a soft and tender sweet potato.

• Step 1: Wash the skin thoroughly before cooking or cutting the sweet potato. This vegetable is grown in the ground, and you don’t want any dirt on it, as we are leaving the skin on for this recipe.
• Step 2: Use a fork or knife to poke holes in the sweet potato. This allows steam generated during cooking to escape, which prevents the potatoes from exploding in the microwave. Be sure to place the sweet potatoes on your chopping board or countertop while poking holes. Never hold them on your hand while piercing.
• Step 3: Place the sweet potato on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Put in the microwave on high for 2 minutes, then turn over and set the microwave for another 2 minutes. Microwave for additional increments of 1 minute until the sweet potato turns soft.
  Your sweet potato is ready when when you can easily pierce it with a fork!
  **The amount of time varies based on your microwave, the size of the sweet potato, and how many sweet potatoes are being microwaved at once.
• Step 4: Once soft, carefully remove from the microwave, as it will be hot. You can use a silicone holder or a kitchen towel to avoid burning yourself. Finally, cut the sweet potato open horizontally. Squeeze the sides with your fingers to lift it off the skin and push the insides a little. This will fluff up the potato.

Should I Peel Sweet Potatoes?

I generally don’t peel sweet potatoes. The skin of a sweet potato is edible and safe to eat. It also adds health benefits and nutrients! Preserving the skins while cooking will help maintain the shape of the sweet potatoes and give you a little leeway to cook them longer for that soft and moist results. Also, keeping the skins on retains moisture, which aids in the tenderness of your sweet potatoes after fully cooked.

When buying sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm and free of blemishes, soft, or wrinkled parts. Also, if you’re going to cook more than one sweet potato at a time, make sure they’re all about the same size, so that they take around the same length to cook.

Toppings and Add-Ons

Microwaved sweet potatoes can make an easy side dish or a base for a delicious main course. Here are some ideas to try:

• With butter: Savor the rich flavor of the sweet potato by eating it with just a small amount of salt or vegan butter on top.
• Herbs and spices: Try a favorite herb or spice blend. Sweet potatoes taste great with warm spices like cumin or cinnamon. Make it spicy with some smoked paprika!
• “Nacho” style: Get creative and load your potato with avocado, black beans, vegan cheese, jalapeno, and more!

More Serving Suggestions

Microwaving sweet potatoes can be a great short cut to these yummy recipes:

• Load ’em up!: Make these stuffed sweet potatoes, chickpea sweet potato boats, or top microwaved sweet potatoes as you would sweet potato toast.
• Salad: Top a salad with this hearty veg (even if you don’t have time to roast it), like this roasted sweet potato salad, sweet potato and kale salad, or a sweet potato quinoa bowl.
• Bakes: Use in some delicious bakes from sweet potato bread to sweet potato biscuits to sweet potato corn bread.
• Breakfast: Invite the sweet potato to breakfast with sweet potato pancakes, sweet potato muffins, or a sweet potato smoothie!
• Grab n Go meals: Load your cooked sweet potato into a burrito, tacos, a hearty sandwich, or even hummus to dip your veggies in!
• Desserts (yes, really!): Sweet potato adds great tenderness and flavor to these sweet potato cookies, sweet potato brownies, and sweet potato chocolate cake!

How to Clean Up

If done properly, cooking a sweet potato in the microwave shouldn’t leave much mess. But it’s always a good idea to clean it after use, before food residue has a chance to cook on and stick.

• First, fill a microwave-safe dish part way with water and a generous splash of vinegar. 
• Second, microwave on high for several minutes until the mixture boils vigorously and the window steams up.
• Third, allow the water and microwave to cool to warm or room temperature.
• Finally, use a cloth or sponge to wipe the entire interior of the microwave. It should be easy because of the vinegar steam softening any stuck-on bits. I like to start at the top and work down, to collect any drips. Make sure to remove any sweet potato or other splatters.

How to Store Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Fridge: You can wrap the leftover sweet potato in foil or place in a storage container. Store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Also, be mindful that sweet potatoes produce a sticky, starchy liquid when cooked, which can stain your containers. It can be hard to clean if not stored properly. For easy disposal, use aluminum foil. In addition, you can also use leftover sweet potato in another delectable recipe, like a Sweet Potato Burrito and Easy Sweet Potato Lasagna.

Make More Amazing Sweet Potato Dishes

Vegan Dinners

Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili

Vegan Christmas & Hanukkah

Sweet Potato Latkes

Vegan Dinners

Easy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Vegan Dinners

Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry

If you tried this how to microwave a sweet potato recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla