How to Microwave a Sweet Potato

Perfectly baked sweet potatoes take minutes in the microwave.

By
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Writer
  • Cairn University
  • Rowan University
  • Wine School of Philadelphia
Robin Shreeves is a freelance writer who focuses on sustainability, wine, travel, food, parenting, and spirituality.
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Updated August 29, 2022
When you don't have the time to bake a sweet potato in the oven, the microwave works really well. (Photo: Magdanatka/Shutterstock)

When it comes to nutrition, sweet potatoes beat white potatoes hands down. They have good carbohydrates, the kind with a low glycemic index so they don't produce a sugar crash. The vitamins and minerals in sweet potatoes make them a great addition to your diet, particularly if you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply trying to eat more plant-based foods. There's even a bonus if you eat the skin—you'll get some additional fiber.

With all this nutrition, plus their nutty, sweet taste, it's no wonder people are finding room for sweet potatoes in their diet. Another reason for their popularity is that with the help of a microwave, a "baked" sweet potato can be ready in mere minutes.

How to microwave a sweet potato

woman's hand turning microwave knob
In as little as five minutes, you can have a hot, delicious sweet potato for dinner. (Photo: Andry_Popov/Shutterstock)

It's easy to microwave a sweet potato. North Carolina Sweet Potatoes offers these simple steps:

  1. Scrub the potato clean.
  2. Pierce it with a fork five or six times to help let steam out while it's cooking.
  3. Microwave for five to eight minutes depending on the size. The potato is done when its skin puffs to a crisp finish and a knife slides through the flesh easily.

For each additional potato you put in the microwave, you'll need about two additional minutes of cooking time.

Once your potato is cooked, you can slice it open and eat it as you would an oven-baked sweet potato, or you can scoop out the insides, mash and use in a recipe that calls for sweet potatoes.

Toppings for baked sweet potatoes

baked sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs
By topping a baked sweet potato with other healthy foods, you can turn one into a whole meal. (Photo: Amallia Eka/Shutterstock)

If you're short on time, you can make your microwaved "baked" sweet potato into a quick meat-free meal. Try these toppings:

  • Scrambled eggs, tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese, as in the photo above
  • Feta cheese and herbs
  • Chili and avocado ranch dressing
  • Steamed broccoli and cheddar cheese
  • Cottage cheese and blueberries
  • Spiced Greek yogurt and honey
  • Black beans, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives
  • Arugula and Pecorino