Go Back
A whole sweet potato cooked in a microwave sitting on a white plate with parsley in the back. Microwaving sweet potato become super creamy and delicious.

Microwave Whole Sweet Potatoes

Creamy microwaved sweet potato are the perfect side dish. This is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious and nutritious side!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Course Side Dish

Equipment

  • microwave safe plate
  • fork
  • microwave

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sweet potato

Instructions
 

  • Choose Your Sweet Potato
    Pick a sweet potato that is free from bruises or blemishes. Sweet potatoes come in different varieties, so you can choose the one that best suits your taste or dish you are planning to prepare. But because they have different densities and moisture content, some varieties might take longer or need less time in the microwave. Also, a skinnier longer sweet potato might microwave faster than a short round one.
  • Wash the Sweet Potato
    Wash your sweet potato thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. If needed, scrub it gently with a vegetable brush. If it has any blemishes, cut these out. Pat dry with a towel.
  • Pierce the Sweet Potato
    Using a fork, poke several holes into the sweet potato. Make sure to have holes on all sides. No need to go crazy, but don’t be lazy either. Maybe 10 holes or so should be enough. These holes allow steam to escape as it cooks, preventing it from exploding in the microwave. You don’t want that mess!
  • Microwave the Sweet Potato
    Place the sweet potato on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Microwave it on high for 6-8 minutes. Depending on the size of the sweet potato, 6 minutes could be enough for small ones, while a larger one may need closer to 8 minutes. Halfway through cooking, turn the sweet potato over to ensure even cooking. Careful, the sweet potato and the plate it is on will be hot!
  • Check for Doneness
    Use a fork or sharp knife to check if the sweet potato is soft in the center. If the fork slides in easily, the sweet potato is done. If it is still firm in the center, microwave for an additional 1-2 minutes. But do not over microwave it as that will cause the sweet potato to dry out.
  • Ready to Serve
    Once cooked, you can serve the sweet potato immediately. Or you can let the sweet potato sit for a few minutes before cutting into it. This way it cools down slightly and it makes it easier to handle.

Notes

Things to note:
Microwaves vary in wattage/power. You will need to play around with the timing on your microwave. Start with less and work your way up until you figure out what works for you.
Depending on the type of sweet potato, but also the freshness of the sweet potato, the skin may turn a bit leathery. Once the sweet potato is cooked though, it separates from the skin and it is easy to scrape the yummy flesh out of the skin.
Course Side Dish