Free Dinner Recipes E-book!   Download Now

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Almond Eater logo

  • Browse Recipes
    • Recipes by Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sides
      • The Almond Eater Monthly Cooking Challenge
    • Recipes by Diet
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegan
      • Mediterranean Diet
      • Paleo
      • Whole30
  • Meet Erin
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Browse Recipes +
    • Recipes by Course +
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sides
      • The Almond Eater Monthly Cooking Challenge
    • Recipes by Diet +
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegan
      • Mediterranean Diet
      • Paleo
      • Whole30
  • About Erin
  • Contact

Home » Recipes » Dairy Free

How to Microwave a Sweet Potato

By Erin · September 30, 2020 · Updated September 27, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
  • Share
  • Tweet
Gluten FreeDairy FreeVeganVegetarianWhole30Paleo
cooked sweet potato on a plate
potato with text overlay
cooked potato with text overlay

Learn how to perfectly cook a sweet potato in the microwave with this step-by-step tutorial (with photos!). It's quick, easy and will become your new go-to method for cooking potatoes.

cooked potato on a plate

Fact: microwaving a sweet potato is the EASIEST way to cook a sweet potato. It's true! It takes 5-7 minutes total, and it's been my go-to way to cook potatoes for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, my mom would always make us baked potatoes in the microwave, so it's a method I'm familiar and comfortable with, and how I cook potatoes in many of my recipes. .... like my healthy sweet potato muffins and my vegan sweet potato pie.

It's quick, easy and efficient, and today I'm going to walk you through how to microwave a sweet potato so that it turns out perfectly each and every time.

Ingredients

Technically, the only ingredient you need is a sweet potato, so just keep that in mind.

  • Sweet potato - small/medium
  • Butter/ghee/olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Wash potato. Run the potato under water, then use a potato scrubber or vegetable brush to scrub it clean, removing any dirt on the skin. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel or even your hands if you don't own a vegetable scrubber.

sweet potato in a paper towel

Step 2: Poke holes with a fork. Use a fork to poke several holes--15-20--on the outside of the potato, piercing it.

someone poking holes in a sweet potato

Step 3: Microwave. Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate, then microwave it for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Slice potato. Wait 1-2 minutes for potato to cool, then use a sharp knife to slice it down the center. If you plan on eating it, add your toppings and eat it as-is! If you're using it for a recipe, wait another minute or two before scooping out the flesh.

Tips and FAQs

Besides butter or ghee, you could also top your sweet potato with my easy chipotle aioli, or with a little brown sugar and cinnamon.

Why do I have to poke holes in the potato before microwaving it?

The holes allow steam to release. If you don't poke holes, the potato could explode in the microwave from steam being trapped.

How can I tell when the potato is done?

You'll know it's done when the skin is soft and the potato is easy to pierce all the way through with a knife.

cooked potato with butter on a plate

More sweet potato recipes

  • Brown Butter Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Mousse
  • Chorizo Sweet Potato Soup
  • Chocolate Sweet Potato Pudding

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!

cooked potato on a plate

How to Microwave a Sweet Potato

Learn how to perfectly cook a sweet potato in the microwave with this step-by-step tutorial (with photos!). It's quick, easy and will become your new go-to method for cooking potatoes.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Servings: 1
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 1 medium sweet potato
  • 1 tablespoon butter more or less
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Run potato under water, then use a potato scrubber to scrub the potato, removing any dirt on the skin. Pat it dry.
  • Use a fork to poke several holes into the potato, piercing the skin.
  • Place potato on a microwave-safe plate, then microwave it for 5 minutes, or until the skin is soft and it's easy to pierce with a knife. If your sweet potato is on the larger side, continue microwaving it in 1 minute intervals until it's cooked.
  • Wait 1-2 minutes, then use a knife to slice the potato down the center. Add your toppings and enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are an estimation
*Toppings include: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, pepper, ghee, etc. 
*To make ahead of time: wait a few minutes for cooked sweet potato to cool, then store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 32417IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!
« Chipotle Aioli
Fresh Tomato Spaghetti Squash Pasta »

About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

girl in kitchen

Hi, I'm Erin!

I share recipes for ALL diet types because I believe that healthy food should be incredibly delicious without being complicated. Learn more

Seasonal Picks

pasta salad made with mediterranean ingredients

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

bowl with lemon orzo salad beside a small dish of chopped fresh basil

Lemon Orzo Salad

cake on a cake stand with a slice cut out

Vegan Carrot Cake

berries and ice cream in a bowl

Gluten Free Rhubarb Crisp

Popular Recipes

pasta, peas and sausage in a skillet

Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta

bowl with ground pork and vegetables

Banh Mi Bowl (Paleo, Whole30)

a bowl of pasta with lentils and red sauce

Lentil Bolognese Recipe (Vegan + Gluten Free)

sweet potato brownies

Flourless Sweet Potato Brownies

dog eating cake

Mini Dog Birthday Cake

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash | squash filled with onions, mushrooms and kale for a healthy, vegetarian meal | thealmondeater.com

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash

As Featured On

Footer

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • The Almond Eater Monthly Cooking Challenge

Copyright© 2023 | The Almond Eater. Site Credit

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter