Sweet, Fluffy, Delicious and Actually GOOD FOR YOU! Perfect baked sweet potatoes by knowing how to microwave a sweet potato!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy
- Fast
- Perfect Potato Every Single Time
Here’s How It’s Done
STEP 1.
Wash well and then pierce the potato skin all over with a fork.
STEP 2.
Dampen a paper towel with water, squeeze out any extra water.
STEP 3.
Wrap in the paper towel and place into the microwave, set timer for 5 minutes.
STEP 4.
Microwave on high in bursts of 1-3 minutes on microwave safe plate until a fork can pierce the flesh all the way to the center easily. Then enjoy with a pat of butter! This is the fastest way to cook!
What Goes With This Recipe?
Oh who doesn’t just LOVE easy Pot Roast from the Crockpot and some Green Beans? How about an EASY Apple Pie that I KNOW you can do? It’s all so easy! Invite guests! You won’t be sorry!
How to Bake a Sweet Potato in the Microwave
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Step by Step How to Microwave a Sweet Potato
Wash the sweet potato, pierce with fork tines on all sides of sweet potato. Wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 5 minutes on one side. Turn the sweet potato in the microwave and microwave for an additional 3 minutes. Pierce potato with fork and if tender throughout, the sweet potato is done.
What Size Sweet Potato Should I Microwave?
You will want to use one that is about 4-5 inches long and weighs about ½ lb.
Can I Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes with These Baked Sweet Potatoes?
To make mashed sweet potatoes with these, follow steps , cut potato down middle and scoop out insides. Combine potato with butter, milk, salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and then mash sweet potatoes until becomes creamy mashed sweet potato.
Is It Bad to Microwave Sweet Potatoes?
Many people worry that it is bad to microwave sweet potatoes because of a concern over the safety of microwaves. According to the USDA, microwaves are safe for cooking food. You can also refer to the World Health Organization information on if microwave sweet potatoes are bad.
How Do You Reheat a Baked Sweet Potato?
To reheat, wrap the sweet potato in a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. To reheat on the stovetop, place the sweet potato in a saute pan with water to ¼ inch, place the lid and set on low heat for 5 minutes.
How Long Do I Microwave a Sweet Potato?
You will want to start at 5 minutes, turn the potato and then cook in 1-3 minute bursts until the whole sweet potato is tender.
How Do I Know That It is Done?
Your sweet potato is done when the potato gives easily at a squeeze and fork tines inserted into sweet potato at places along the sides glide easily in. Fork tines should glide to the center of a done sweet potato.
Why Cook it in the Microwave Instead of the Oven?
Cooking in the microwave rather than the oven saves space in your oven for other dinner dishes, conserves electricity by using the smaller microwave and will keep your kitchen from heating up substantially.
Can You Microwave It Before Baking?
Absolutely! Microwave according the the recipe listed for 5 minutes, remove the paper towel and place into an oven set at 350 for another 15 minutes.
How to Microwave It Without Drying It Out?
Avoid dry microwave sweet potatoes by first piercing the sweet potato on all sides, wrap sweet potato in a damp paper towel, microwave for 5 minutes, turn sweet potato over and microwave for another 1-3 minutes until fork tender.
Tips and Tricks
- Wash the it well before microwaving! No one wants crunchy pieces of dirt on their sweet potato.
- Pierce the skin well on all sides with the tines of a fork.
- Make sure the paper towel is very damp but not dripping.
- Be careful removing it from the microwave as it might be very hot.
PRO TIP: Microwave multiple sweet potatoes by increasing the microwave time total by 5-6 minutes for each one added.
If you have enjoyed this recipe from Loaves and Dishes, you might also enjoy….
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Crispy Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
YA’LL HELP ME OUT, OK?
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How to Bake a Sweet Potato in the Microwave
Ingredients
- .5 lb sweet potato
- Water
Instructions
- Wash the sweet potato well and remove any dirt.
- Prick the skin of the sweet potato with the tines of a fork on all sides of the potato.
- Dampen a papertowel with water and squeeze out any extra water.
- Wrap the paper towel around the potato.
- Microwave for 5 minutes.
- Turn the potato over.
- Microwave on the other side for another 1-3 minutes.
- The potato is done when you can squeeze the potato and it feels soft and when the tines of a fork glide easily into the potato all the way to the center without meeting resistance.
Notes
- Wash the sweet potato well before microwaving! No one wants crunchy pieces of dirt on their sweet potato.
- Pierce the sweet potato well on all sides with the tines of a fork.
- Make sure the paper towel is very damp but not dripping.
- Be careful removing the sweet potato from the microwave as it might be very hot.
Nutrition
***This post originally appeared on the pages of Loaves and Dishes on August 13, 2019 and has been updated with new alt tags for photos, in recipe instructions and notes and new post information***
A VERSE TO SHARE
This is probably the most difficult thing for me personally. When someone doesn't like me, and I know it, I LOVE to think awful thoughts about them. I LOVE to attribute all kinds of negative stories to them (in my mind) and I love to seeth about them. I'm admitting a lot here.
You might not be like me about that. However, you might be.
That isn't what God calls us to do, is it?
Remember the sermon on the mount? It's a pretty important sermon.
I'll just leave this here....
Mark 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute yo
Wendi Spraker says
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Mari says
What a nice surprise to find a way to make a perfect sweet potato. I love them now, but as a child I was convinced I would not. The only ones I ever saw were the canned ones that our neighbors occasionally had, and they would boil them to death, as they did any vegetable. Even though my daddy was from Kentucky, we never saw a sweet potato on our table. I love them now, but I have never made candied sweet potatoes. I tend to like savory rather than sweet, so I generally eat mine at lunch or breakfast with some salsa on top. If I eat one for breakfast, I am full for the rest of the day. If I’m too busy for breakfast, I have one for lunch. No one else in my family does that I promise you! They eat theirs for dinner with butter - a lot of butter. That is my second favorite way to eat a sweet potato, although I don’t think there is a wrong way to eat them. I do so enjoy your posts. They are fun to read and have so many wonderful recipes, and when I read them, I can almost hear my beloved Aunt Dorothy’s voice in my head. She rarely traveled outside of Kentucky, but when she did, it was always a treat to have her visit. Thank you for giving me back something I have been missing for years. You Southern ladies are a joy, and you totally rock. I don’t comment as often as I should, but I am a faithful reader, and I look forward every week to reading what you are up to. Your humor and zest for life are much appreciated. They are my reward for getting through the week.
Wendi Spraker says
Oh Mari! That is just the nicest thing! I'm so proud to remind you of your beloved Aunt! Thanks so much for leaving me a comment and I'll have to try some sweet potato with salsa on it! Never tried that combo before!!! Have a wonderful weekend sweetheart!