The Right Amount Of Time To Microwave A Sweet Potato

Sweet potato recipes are undeniably delicious; packing rich flavor, a fluffy interior, and delectably crispy skin. However, they can also take a long time to bake in the oven, and you may find yourself — almost an hour later — poking your potato with frustration, finding that it still isn't tender. But there is a faster way. Microwaving sweet potatoes is a great way to enjoy them without all of the waiting. Plus, it can be a healthier option: According to the National Library of Medicine, shorter cook times can help maintain your sweet potato's nutrient content.

However, it might be difficult to figure out how long to microwave your sweet potato so that it's perfectly cooked. After all, while the microwave is a quick and convenient tool, it can also be a bit finicky when trying to achieve an even cook. To be frank, there is no universal cooking time for microwaving your sweet potato. Instead, you should calculate your exact cooking time by weight.

For example, a small sweet potato weighing 6 to 8 ounces should be cooked between two and three minutes per side, and cooked for one-minute intervals afterward until the potato is tender. This final microwave step is essential, regardless of your potato's size. Medium sweet potatoes, weighing between 9 and 12 ounces, should be cooked for three to four minutes per side; while large sweet potatoes, weighing up to 16 ounces, should be cooked for four or five minutes per side.

In addition to calculating cook time according to weight, you should also check your potatoes frequently to gauge if they're done. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to microwaving sweet potatoes. However, if you don't have a food scale handy at home, start by cooking your potatoes at a baseline of five minutes, which is often recommended for medium-sized sweet potatoes. But if this is the method you choose, you should check your potato frequently to ensure that it does not overcook, and add time as needed.

Of course, there are other ways to achieve a perfectly microwaved sweet potato. For starters, you must properly prep your potato by piercing it all over with a fork. This will allow steam to release from your potato, and help it to cook more evenly. Also, wrapping your potato in a wet paper towel will help steam your potato, a tricky task when cooking with a microwave. The steam from the paper towel will help to infuse your potato with moisture, which prevents an unpleasant shriveled potato. You can tell when your sweet potato is done cooking by piercing it with a fork or knife and checking for tenderness all the way through. And voila! With the ding of a microwave timer, you have yourself a perfectly cooked potato, ready to cover with creative sweet potato toppings of your choice.