Name: How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 Medium Sweet Potatoes; 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter Softened; 2 tbsp Honey; 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon; A Pinch of Salt

Ingredients

4 Medium Sweet Potatoes
4 tbsp Unsalted Butter Softened
2 tbsp Honey
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
A Pinch of Salt

Quick Summary

To microwave sweet potatoes, pierce them all over before popping them on a microwave-safe plate Microwave for around 10 minutes on high at 900w.

Method

Step 1: Prep the Sweet Potatoes

First, give your sweet potatoes a good wash. Then, pierce each one several times with a fork. This is an important step as it allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing the sweet potatoes from bursting in the microwave.

Ingredients laid out on a marble countertop for microwaving sweet potatoes

Step 2: Microwave

Place the sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave them on high power for about 10 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes. They’re ready when they’re tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork.

Stabbing sweet potatoes with a fork in a glass dish

The timings here are based on cooking four sweet potatoes simultaneously in a 900w microwave. One potato will take around 6 minutes. If you have a lower-wattage microwave, then it will take 8 minutes for one potato and 12 minutes for 4.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, it’s time to prepare your sauce. Combine the softened butter, honey, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir until everything is nicely mixed and you have a smooth, butter mix.

Making a sauce for sweet potatoes in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon

Step 4: Serve

Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, let them rest for a minute or two. Then, slice them open and use a fork to fluff up the insides a bit. Spoon your delicious honey-cinnamon butter sauce over the hot sweet potatoes, and allow it to melt.

Tweaks

Give It Warmth Add a little fresh ginger or dried chilli flakes to the butter to give the sweet potatoes some added warmth, if you love a bit of heat.
Add Cheese Cheese makes everything better so cut the potatoes in half then add a handful of grated cheddar before returning to the microwave for a few minutes to melt.

Substitutes

Make it Vegan Use margarine or vegan butter, and then replace the honey with maple syrup.
Change the Sauce Try combining butter with garlic oil, fresh thyme leaves and black pepper for a completely different flavour from the same method.

Storage

In the Fridge Wrap each cooked sweet potato, without the sauce, in cling film once cooled, then pop into the fridge for up to 3 days. You could also keep them in a resealable bag.

In the Freezer Once cooled, pop the cooked sweet potatoes (without the sauce) into a freezer bag and seal up, removing as much air as possible. Freeze the bag of potatoes for up to 3 months.

Other Types

How to Microwave Sweet Potato Wedges

Slice the sweet potato into wedges, place them in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave on high for 5-8 minutes, turning halfway through until tender. I like them seasoned with paprika, oregano and salt.

How to Microwave Sweet Potato Fries

Cut the sweet potato into fries, arrange them in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave on high for about 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until they are tender and slightly crisp on the edges.

FAQs

Can You Overcook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave?

Yes, you can overcook a sweet potato in the microwave, which may result in a mushy texture or a dried-out interior. It’s important to watch the cooking time closely and adjust based on the size of the sweet potato and your microwave’s power.

Should You Cut a Sweet Potato in Half to Microwave It?

No, you don’t need to. Cutting a sweet potato in half before microwaving it can reduce cooking time and give you more even cooking. However, ensure both halves are placed cut-side down on the microwave-safe dish.

Tips

Pick Uniform Potatoes If you can, try to pick out 4 sweet potatoes that are around the same size, then they will all cook at roughly the same time.

Give them a Bed Pop the sweet potatoes on a bed of herbs, garlic cloves or cinnamon sticks to instantly infuse the sweet potato with flavour as it cooks.

Prick All Over Don’t be shy when it comes to pricking your sweet potatoes. Try to stab them all over and not just on the top. This will give steam plenty of opportunity to escape.

Crisp in the Oven You’re never going to get crispy skins in the microwave, so pop them in the oven for 10 minutes, rubbed in a little oil, to get perfectly fluffy centres with crispy skins.