If you are big on sweet potatoes but short on time, there’s an easy solution: Microwave your sweet potatoes. It’s really the best way. Microwaving sweet potatoes cuts down cook time by 45 to 55 minutes, and, according to a 2018 study, helps maintain the potato’s nutritional value. All cooking methods cause foods to lose some of their nutrients, but the quicker your potato cooks, the more nutrients it will retain. Baking a sweet potato in the microwave preserves far more nutrients (folate, vitamins A and C) than boiling it, for example. To learn how to microwave a sweet potato, read on.

How Long to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave

Because sweet potatoes vary so much in size and weight, there’s no one-size-fits-all time limit. In general, it takes five minutes to cook one sweet potato in the microwave, and add two minutes in the microwave for each additional potato.

How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes

Don’t bother covering your potato in plastic wrap or with a towel because the sweet potato comes in its own jacket—its skin!

Instructions

1. Clean sweet potatoes under running water with a produce scrubbing brush, and pat dry.
2. Pierce the sweet potato skin with a fork 5 to 6 times.
3. Place the sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 5-10 minutes—five minutes to cook one sweet potato in the microwave, and add two minutes for each additional potato—rotating them halfway through.
4. You are done microwaving your sweet potatoes when a fork spears into them easily. If they are too firm, continue to cook your sweet potatoes in the microwave in one-minute increments.

How Do I Know When a Sweet Potato Is Cooked Through?

You’ll know your microwaved sweet potato is cooked through when you pierce the potato with a fork and the fork goes through the skin and flesh of the potato easily. Alternatively, you could also use a knife to cut into the sweet potato. If the knife slides easily into the center, your sweet potato is done cooking in the microwave.

If you’d rather not pierce or cut into your sweet potato, you can carefully and gently squeeze the potato on both sides with your hands. If the potato gives a little and feels soft to the touch, it’s ready to eat.

Sweet Potato Toppings

When it comes to toppings for your microwaved sweet potato, the choice is yours. For a simple, yet delicious topping, we love a pat of salted butter and some freshly ground black pepper. For an autumnal take on a sweet potato, opt for a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg on top, or sprinkle some shredded coconut on your potato along with toasted pecans. If savory toppings are more your speed, try grated Parmesan cheese, seasoned black beans, or a dollop of protein-packed Greek yogurt.

Bonus Sweet Potato Recipes

Microwaving sweet potatoes doesn’t need to stop with the simple potato in its jacket! Enjoy these microwave-friendly sweet potato side dishes in under 10 minutes.