Name: Microwave Sweet Potato Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2 persons
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: 2 medium Sweet Potatoes; 2 tablespoons Olive Oil; 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt; 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Closed up shot of Microwave Sweet Potato

Baked sweet potatoes have a fluffy texture and a mildly sweet flavor that is exceptionally addictive. However, sweet potatoes can take nearly an hour to bake in the oven. Luckily you can cut the cooking time to about 5 minutes by making these Microwave Sweet Potatoes. That's right - baked sweet potatoes in under 10 minutes! We also added a zesty yogurt lime sauce, which perfectly complements the sweet potato's sweetness.

Is It Bad To Cook A Sweet Potato In The Microwave?

Some individuals worry that cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave will destroy their nutrients. However, this is a myth. Cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave is not bad. It's good! The USDA asserts that microwaves do not damage the nutrients in food. Microwaving food preserves more water-soluble vitamins, so it is a safe, fast, and healthy way to cook sweet potatoes.

Why Do Sweet Potatoes Catch Fire In The Microwave?

Sweet potatoes can catch fire in the microwave because the cooking time was overestimated or the cooking time was mistakenly altered. Unfortunately, if you cook the sweet potato for a few minutes too long, it could result in a fire leaving you with charred potatoes instead of beautifully baked potatoes. Nevertheless, your sweet potatoes should not catch on fire as long as you follow the instructions.

Do You Need To Poke Holes In Potatoes Before Microwaving?

Yes, you must poke holes in the sweet potatoes before you cook them in the microwave. The holes let steam escape. If you do not pierce the sweet potatoes before you microwave them, they could explode in the microwave because of the accumulation of steam. Not only will it create a giant mess that you will have to clean up, but it's a big disappointment since you will probably have to make something else for dinner.

Equipment Needed

Tongs

Author: Sarah Leadon

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

10 mins

Serves

2 persons

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes

2 medium Sweet Potatoes
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Yogurt Lime Sauce

1 cup Vegan Cashew Yogurt
Juice of 1 Lime
3 tablespoons chopped Chives
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

Sweet Potatoes

Scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly under cold running water using a vegetable brush.

Pat the sweet potatoes dry and use a paring knife to cut any blemishes off the sweet potatoes.

Using a fork, pierce each sweet potato 4-5 times. Make sure you prick the sweet potatoes all over to let steam escape and prevent them from exploding in the microwave.

Rub each sweet potato with a tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle them with salt and black pepper.

Place the sweet potatoes onto a microwave-safe plate and heat them on high for 5 minutes turning the potatoes over with a pair of tongs every 2 minutes.

Remove the sweet potatoes from the microwave using oven mitts and check them for doneness. If a paring knife easily slides into the sweet potato all the way to the center, it is done. If your sweet potatoes are not done cooking, return them to the microwave and cook them in 1-minute increments turning them over every 2 minutes until the sweet potatoes are done.

Yogurt Lime Sauce

Whisk the cashew yogurt, lime juice, two tablespoons of chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until combined. Place the sweet potatoes onto a serving dish, add a dollop of the yogurt lime sauce to each sweet potato and garnish them with the remaining tablespoon of chives.