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How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave

in Desserts, Recipes, Sides, Snacks

A tutorial on how to “bake” a sweet potato in the microwave in under seven minutes.

If you have not already figured it out, I am a big-time sweet potato lover.  I love sweet potato fries.  I love sweet potato in soups.  I love baked stuffed sweet potatoes for dinner and baked sweet potatoes topped with almond butter for dessert.  Clearly, I do not have a problem reaching my necessary vitamin A intake.

With this sweet potato obsession, you can only imagine how frequently I am needing to bake up batches of sweet potatoes.  Who am I kidding?  I never bake up batches of sweet potatoes.  In fact, I do not bake my sweet potatoes at all.  I am far too impatient to wait 45 minutes to an hour when a sweet potato craving hits.  Instead, I “bake” my sweet potatoes in the microwave.

I have had quite a few people ask me over the past year how to turn this:

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.cominto a baked sweet potato in under seven minutes.

Lucky for you, I have decided to feature the sweet potato in my next “How To” post.  Following is a step-by-step pictorial on how to “bake” a sweet potato in the microwave when you just do not feel like actually baking it.

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comHow to “Bake” a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

Step 1

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comBegin by cleaning the sweet potato under running water using a produce scrubbing brush.  This is especially important if you also eat the skin of the potato like I do.

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comYour potato will look like this post-washing.

Step 2

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comPierce the potato with a fork about six to eight times.  This will prevent the potato from exploding in the microwave.  Trust me, you do not want to skip this step!

Step 3

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comWet a full-sized sheet of a paper towel with cold water.  Gently ring out any excess water.  Carefully unfold the paper towel and place it onto a microwave-safe plate.  Place the sweet potato onto the paper towel.

Step 4

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comLoosely fold over both sides of the paper towel to cover the sweet potato.  Covering the sweet potato with the damp paper towel will provide a “steaming” effect when microwaving the potato.

Step 5

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comMicrowave the potato on high for approximately six minutes, flipping once halfway through.  For a medium potato, I normally microwave it for three minutes, flip, and microwave an additional two and a half to three minutes.  Smaller potatoes will take less time.  Larger potatoes will take more time.  Once you experiment a bit, you will find the “right” amount of time for your potatoes.

Step 6

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comAfter cooking, unwrap the potato and let it cool for several minutes.

Step 7

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comUse a knife to cut the potato in half.

Step 8

How to Make a Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comAdmire how pretty your potato looks and then top it with desired toppings.  Some of my favorites include: maple or vanilla almond butter, Melt butter, yellow mustard, salsa, avocado, and dippy eggs- don’t worry, not all at once.  The topping choices are pretty much endless.

Easy peasy, right?

Whether you are making dinner with sweet potatoes, baking with sweet potatoes, eating sweet potatoes as a side, or eating sweet potatoes for dessert, save yourself a whole ‘lotta time and nuke them in the microwave.  This is the lazy girl’s way of cooking!

Side note: This same method works just as well with regular russet potatoes, too!

Other Food How To’s:

Avocado
Cantaloupe

What is your favorite way to eat sweet potatoes?

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{ 172 comments… add one }
  • Rachel October 15, 2014, 11:28 pm
    VERY COOL TIP! I never knew (or even thought to) wrap the potato with a damp cloth/paper towel! This is genius! :) Rachel recently posted...Getting To Know Me in 50 QuestionsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 16, 2014, 8:59 pm
      It really helps to "steam" the potatoes a bit so they don't dry out too much!
      • Irene November 23, 2015, 1:50 pm
        Nice..I will try this as soon as I get home from work! I used the "45 minute" method yesterday...
        • ClnEatingVegGrl November 23, 2015, 2:33 pm
          I hope it works out well for you. It is great in a pinch!
        • Susan Kincaid March 23, 2017, 4:28 pm
          Your recipe yields a steamed sweet potato, not a baked one. I recommend using the microwave for the first 4 minutes (as described by you), then cooking it in the oven until done; should be about 20 minutes. This will result in a baked sweet potato.
          • ClnEatingVegGrl March 23, 2017, 6:41 pm
            Thank you for your reply. However, it is simply title "baked" to show that you can produce similar results in the microwave than in the oven. I assume most people understand it is not truly baked.
      • val December 20, 2016, 5:13 pm
        I just did it this afternoon and the potato came out perfect. Thank you. 6 minutes. Bliss.
        • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2017, 9:56 am
          Yay! I'm so glad to hear that!
    • Beatrice October 25, 2017, 12:46 am
      Sweet potato came out soft and juicy. Bless you, bless you and bless you again!!!
      • ClnEatingVegGrl October 26, 2017, 9:58 am
        I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
  • Debbie @ Live from La Quinta October 15, 2014, 11:31 pm
    I cook russet potatoes all the time in the microwave (though I never wrap them in a damp paper towel..thanks for the tip). I too want my food when I want it. Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted...5 Reasons You Need to Go to BlogFest 2015My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 2:49 pm
      Yes... when you are craving something you need it then, not 45 minutes later!! ;)
  • Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate October 16, 2014, 6:32 am
    This is so helpful, thank you! And it's perfect timing because the only two things in my house to eat right now are avocados and sweet potatoes ;) Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted...Wedding Recap: Our First LookMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 2:49 pm
      Haha, toooo funny! I happen to like combining the two!
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies October 16, 2014, 7:56 am
    Great tip for a yummy potato! Shared with my dorm-living sister :-D Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies recently posted...Homemade Manwich (Sloppy Joe Sauce)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 2:53 pm
      Oh I bet she will love that! I wish I had known to do this back when I was in college... of course I wasn't eating so healthy back then ;)
  • Joanna @Makingmine October 16, 2014, 9:05 am
    I would be doomed without being able to microwave sweet potatoes. Eleanor and I have them for lunch almost every day! Great photo how-to! Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...stroller talk: finding the right ride for babyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:28 pm
      I am so glad to hear that Eleanor is a sweet potato-loving girl! She is a smart cookie :)
  • Katie @ running4cupcakes October 16, 2014, 12:32 pm
    It seems so simple but I had NO idea you could do that!! Mind blown. :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:32 pm
      Awesome, right? Don't feel bad. I didn't start making mine this way until about 2 years ago. Before then I had NO idea either!
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul October 16, 2014, 2:01 pm
    Now I'm craving a sweet potato! Great post! Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...Life in Omaha LatelyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:34 pm
      That sure is a great craving to have!
  • Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious October 16, 2014, 2:18 pm
    I love this. What a great tip! Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted...How to Break Through a Weight Loss PlateauMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:35 pm
      Thanks Megan! I hope you give it a try so that you can have sweet potatoes FAST! :)
  • Angela October 16, 2014, 9:00 pm
    Does it taste the same as baked?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:37 pm
      Honestly, it has been SO long since I have eaten a sweet potato that was actually baked that I don't really remember! ;) I think the microwaved ones might not be quite as soft in the inside and the skin of the potato doesn't get as crispy.
  • Linz @ Itz Linz October 16, 2014, 9:27 pm
    i do this for my dog for her treats! Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted...30 Recipes for Overnight OatsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:38 pm
      Aww, that is so cute!! Next time I am home at my parents' house I will have to make some for my puppies!
  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles October 17, 2014, 5:53 am
    I live on sweet potatoes. Like every night with dinner. I usually cheat the baked potato method by microwaving on the potato setting and not letting it run the entire time and then switch it into the oven at 450 degrees to finish it up quick so the skin gets a little crisp. I also use this cheat method to soften the potato in order to slice it up into wedges to then cook in the oven fast. It works every time and saves so much time! meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted...Meet And Tweet Recap & Off To Runner’s World Half & FestivalMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:41 pm
      Those are both awesome ideas! Thanks Meredith :)
    • Carolyn March 24, 2016, 11:24 am
      Never thought of papertowel wrap. I usually do a baked potato putting it in microwave bowl filled with some water on bottom and cut some slits in it then just lay a dry paper towel over it. Then drain water out of bottom of my bowl and it's moist and taste just like it was baked in oven. Even better.
      • ClnEatingVegGrl March 25, 2016, 7:12 am
        Very cool! I'll have to try out that method too!
  • Liz @ I Heart Vegetables October 17, 2014, 6:40 am
    I went through a sweet potato + almond butter phase for a long time! I almost always made them in the microwave because it was super hot out and I didn't want to turn on the oven! It's such a great short cut!! :) Happy Friday! Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted...Frugal Friday- Vegetarian Crockpot LasagnaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:43 pm
      That is definitely another huge plus to microwaving over using the oven. When it is warm out I have zero desire to turn on my oven! :/
  • Julie @ Running in a Skirt October 17, 2014, 8:03 am
    yum! I love sweet potatoes. My mom always made them in the microwave too. Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted...What to Wear for Fall Running & Pearl iZumi GiveawayMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 17, 2014, 5:46 pm
      You and your mom are smart women! ;)
  • Amanda @ .running with spoons. October 17, 2014, 6:46 pm
    Totally agree -- 45 minutes is WAY too long. But the sad thing is I do it anyways because I grew up without a microwave and now it just feels strange to use one. I use mine to store my extra pots and pans :lol: Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted.... vegan pumpkin hot chocolate .My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 19, 2014, 10:39 am
      That is so funny! I have heard of people storing pots and pans in their ovens, but not microwaves ;) I have a feeling if I tried the oven method I would burn my apartment down when I went to preheat my oven ;)
  • Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl October 17, 2014, 10:38 pm
    Great how to, thank you! Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite parts of Fall!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 19, 2014, 10:40 am
      Aren't they the best?? My Vitamin A consumption is out of control right now ;)
  • Graham Ansell June 18, 2015, 5:08 pm
    Thanks for sharing this, brilliant very useful
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 18, 2015, 8:10 pm
      I'm so glad you think so. I hope you give it a try!
  • Darrelyn June 24, 2015, 7:55 pm
    Have you tried cooking 2 potatoes at once? How much longer do you need to cook them?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 26, 2015, 9:56 am
      I have not, so I'm not sure. Let me know if you try!
      • Darrelyn June 26, 2015, 10:03 am
        I did try to make 2 potatoes & cooked for the same amt of time as 1 & it worked out fine!
  • Iris August 16, 2015, 9:37 pm
    Everyone at my house loves baked sweet potatoes. I use a very large pyrex bowl, wash my potatoes, put them in the bowl with a tablespoon of water (more or less) cover it with a lid or a plate (no plastic) and microwave it. It always comes out perfect.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 17, 2015, 7:33 am
      Whoa! I have never heard of that method. It sounds really easy. Thanks for sharing!
    • geraldine October 27, 2015, 6:21 pm
      Do yo still puncture the potatoes with a fork
      • ClnEatingVegGrl October 27, 2015, 6:31 pm
        I sure do!
    • PK May 5, 2016, 3:53 am
      This is exactly how I cook red potatoes. ?
      • ClnEatingVegGrl May 5, 2016, 7:15 am
        I'll have to try that next!
  • Danielle August 19, 2015, 11:52 am
    This is so helpful for sweet potato hummus! I want hummus in the summer but didn't want to heat up the house. THANKS!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 19, 2015, 8:39 pm
      You are so welcome! Sweet potato hummus sounds fabulous, by the way :)
    • Linda V. September 30, 2017, 5:41 pm
      Wow!! 😋 How do you make sweet potato hummus? I need that recipe, please! 🤗 Lvornheder@yahoo.com
      • ClnEatingVegGrl October 5, 2017, 9:46 am
        Good ole Google is where I find it! You can find quite a few recipes for it!
  • Maya Bloom August 23, 2015, 7:45 pm
    My sis-in-law makes those microwave potato bags. So I tried it. I cleaned, pierced potato (just in case) put it in the bag. Cooked on high for 3 mins turned over potato and bag. Microwaved for 4 mins. Had to add few extra minutes because potato was big. Cut open added 1T butter, cinnamon and sugar and there is supper.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 24, 2015, 9:08 am
      What are the microwave potato bags made out of? It sounds really cool!
  • Maya Bloom August 24, 2015, 9:29 am
    Entirely made of cotton including the thread. That is the important part. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jIarYmIioc. She does not mention cotton thread but my sis-in-law said use the mercerized cotton. This tutorial appears well organized. Hope this helps you. Enjoy.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 24, 2015, 11:07 am
      Huh, very cool! Thanks for sharing!
  • Nanette October 26, 2015, 4:25 pm
    Very concise, well done and it works well! Thanks
  • Tim Cook October 29, 2015, 5:09 am
    Found the process somewhat interesting. If you don't mind me asking, do they taste the same as baked ones?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 29, 2015, 12:41 pm
      They do not taste the same, but are still delicious! I think the microwave version does not get quite as soft as when you bake them. But in a pinch, they work!
  • Shannon November 5, 2015, 5:33 pm
    a coffee filter wet and wrapped around a small to medium sized one works in a pinch. :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2015, 6:33 pm
      That's an awesome and super clever idea. Thanks for sharing!
  • Dwight November 21, 2015, 5:42 pm
    Thanks Hannah! Just got done shoveling 8 inches of snow off the driveway and blood sugar is REALLY LOW! :-) Looking forward to that sweet potatoe in a few minutes! Wishing you well and keep up the great posts!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 21, 2015, 5:51 pm
      We got snow here too! I hope you enjoy the sweet potato :)
  • Andrew Hatecooking April 23, 2016, 7:51 am
    Someone said about not as crisp as an oven-baked one. Instead of the damp cloth or paper towel, how about glazing with egg (or similar if eggs are off your menu?). I bought a sweet potato for the first time today and this is a super idea. I will try tomorrow! :-). Thanks.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 23, 2016, 8:12 am
      Great idea! Let me know how it turns out!
  • Andrew Hatescooking April 24, 2016, 6:32 am
    Feedback on: Sweet potato with an egg coating in the microwave. Mine was a reddish outside with orange innards potato. My microwave (MW) is 700w. I scrubbed the potato and dried it. I broke an egg over it and lathered it with egg with my (clean) hands. In the MW 5mins. I scraped off the egg which had puddled (what else to do with the rest of the egg but leave it swimming on the plate!) and ate the egg - It was similar to fried egg. I turned over the potato and back into the MW. After 1.5mins I sliced the potato length-wise and opened it. This was to ensure the innards cooked properly. In the MW 3.5mins. I cut up the potato into bite-sized chunks and ate (including the skin). It was OK and I don`t think the egg coating added or detracted from the potato at all. Next time I may add some veggies or whatever....:-) Interesting eggsperiment....
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 24, 2016, 9:23 am
      It sounds like it was an interesting experiment! Thanks for sharing :D
  • Suzanne May 12, 2016, 2:49 pm
    Thankyouthankyouthankyou! This is the first sweet potato I've ever enjoyed without adding something sweet. It was perfect; and I stopped eating it to share my happiness. Now, back to the potato...
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 12, 2016, 3:51 pm
      I am SO you are enjoying it! It is a great time-saver!
  • Tara Williams May 21, 2016, 9:08 pm
    I tried this out today. The first time, my potato turned to mush. I'm guessing because my paper towel was drenched and I left in the microwave too long. The second time, turned out fantastic! I added a little cinnamon and butter and it was like eating dessert!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 30, 2016, 1:53 pm
      Gotta love when veggies taste like dessert!!
  • Suzanne Golden June 14, 2016, 9:29 pm
    Thanks for the tip. It really works. It tastes like the sweet potatoes were baked in the oven, not shrivelled up from the microwave.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 15, 2016, 8:16 am
      YES! I'm so glad you are enjoying it!
  • Betsy C June 29, 2016, 5:20 pm
    My husband is peeling and cutting sweet potatoes into cubes and then boiling for about ten mins. I said I was releasing him for this chore. I am going to microwave the potato so every bit of vitamins and nutrients don't end up in the boiling water!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 30, 2016, 9:05 am
      Yes, yes, yes! I hope you enjoyed the method!
  • Michael July 19, 2016, 4:08 pm
    Thanks for sharing this! So much easier then cooking them over a long period of time. I am going to try this for lunch today (as soon as I get to the store and back). Always finding new things to eat on my new journey of eating clean. Michael recently posted...Living Life As a WarriorMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 19, 2016, 7:23 pm
      Sometimes you just need EASY, which is why I love this. I hope you do too!
  • Rachel July 23, 2016, 8:06 pm
    Thank you! I'm in college and it's soo rough trying to eat healthy with only a microwave. It's basically either spending way too much money to eat out or those frozen tv dinners. This is amazing. Life saver!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 24, 2016, 9:06 am
      Yay! I'm so glad you have found it helpful. And good for you for trying to lead a healthy life, even while in college. I wish I had done that!
  • Rebecca August 20, 2016, 12:53 pm
    Hi, Hannah! Thanks for the great post! I've never been a sweet potato fan, but want to try to incorporate some in my diet and hopefully learn to love them! Btw, read your short bio and, although you probably do, just want to recommend drinking LOTS of water! So important for both conditions you are fighting! Thanks again!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 20, 2016, 2:19 pm
      Thank you! Yes, I drink close to a gallon a day so I'm pretty good about that. I hope you learn to love those sweet potatoes!!
  • AnniB October 2, 2016, 6:15 am
    Got my first sweet potato yesterday, so glad I found you. Was wondering how to deal with it and it's almost lunch time. Many thanks
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 3, 2016, 8:11 am
      You are so welcome! I am glad you found your way here, too!
  • Jenny October 5, 2016, 8:28 pm
    I just Googled "how to make a sweet potato in microwave" and this is the first thing that popped up! Can't wait to try it tomorrow! One question - have you every microwaved a sweet potato and ate it the next day? Just wondering how that would be.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 5, 2016, 9:11 pm
      I have done that for both microwaved and baked sweet potatoes. I generally just warm them up again in the microwave and they taste just fine to me!
  • Jane October 17, 2016, 9:57 am
    Does it take a longer baking time with more than one potato?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 18, 2016, 8:42 am
      I have not cooked more than one at a time, but I imagine it would. I would start by adding two minutes to the cooking time and then more if needed.
  • Joe Gomer November 2, 2016, 9:02 am
    I especially like a fairly small potatoe. Scrub and wrap with damp towel, Place in microwave set to 1Potatoe and nuke. Cut an opening and place wedge of butter and a little cinnamon. This is especially good as a snack when you have the munchies. I eat the skin and all.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 2, 2016, 7:11 pm
      Sweet potatoes are SUCH a good snack. You are definitely not alone in that. I also eat the skins!
  • Kenneth Fulford November 9, 2016, 8:22 am
    Here's what I do: With potato and hands wet, I wrap a dry paper towel around potato; wet potato and wet hands take care of the middle, then wetting my hands again I wet and tighten each end. No more undoing a wet, scrunched-up paper towel. Thanks for reminding me to stick the potato with a fork!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 9, 2016, 8:52 am
      You can't forget that important fork-sticking step! ;)
  • EILEEN November 16, 2016, 1:43 pm
    I tried your microwave pre-wet wrapped paper towel method for my sweet potato and it worked out perfectly. Thanks. Then I mixed some butter, cinnamon, and syrup in a microwave dish, and heated it for apx 30 seconds, and drizzed this hot combo over my sweet potato, and it was excellent. First I ate the flesh of the sweet potato, then drizzled a little of the above condiments, put the skin in the microwave again, for a few seconds, and then enjoyed eating the skin. Par excellence.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 17, 2016, 8:33 am
      You bet! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
  • The Lady Barb November 17, 2016, 11:52 am
    Thank You!...on my way to sweet potato heaven now.......
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 23, 2016, 8:01 am
      You're welcome! I hope you enjoy the cooking method!
  • ? November 19, 2016, 2:18 am
    How warm do you set your microwave to?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 23, 2016, 8:00 am
      I leave mine on the "high" setting the entire duration.
  • Wayne Brasler November 21, 2016, 12:27 am
    I do a monthly cooking column for families where both parents work and for some reason this morning decided to add sweet potatoes as a side to a tuna noodle casserole with enough ingredients in it to sink the Titanic. Then I realized baking a potato is the oven can take an hour so I looked on the internet to see if a sweet potato could be prepared in the oven and, sure enough, there you were with your excellent tips and splendid photos. Thank you for helping and thank you for making my readers happier.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 23, 2016, 7:59 am
      You are so welcome. I hope they all enjoy it!
  • Lisa November 24, 2016, 5:57 pm
    Is there I different timeframe if cooking more than one (3-4 small/Med).
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 28, 2016, 8:32 am
      I have not cooked more than one at a time, but I would imagine you would need to add some additional time- maybe a couple of minutes? Let me know if you try it out!
  • Rose January 2, 2017, 5:15 pm
    Great article! Just tried your method and it worked like a dream. I ate my sweet potato with almond butter, which I would have never thought of trying. It was so good! Thank you!!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2017, 9:52 am
      Isn't it such a good combo? Almond butter is definitely one of my most favorite toppings for sweet potatoes!
  • Paul Fidler January 8, 2017, 12:14 pm
    Try making Sweet Potato Jerky for dog treat. Make them for my Labradoodle and his Buds at the dog park. Big hit, easy to make and you can enjoy them for a snack too! Just Google Sweet Potato Jerky for many recipes in oven or dehydrator.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2017, 9:50 am
      Such a cool idea. I have a soft spot in my heart for doodles, so I love that you have a labradoodle!
  • Bill January 16, 2017, 7:15 pm
    We will be trying this tonight as a favorite side to a rack of baby back ribs and a steamed broccoli crown. My wife and I will be 80 this year and since I retired, I have been doing all the cooking. I have been trying to find the utopia of nuked sweet taters and it looks like my quest is over. I have been splitting them open, lengthwise and laying them cut side down in a Pyrex dish with a Tbsp of butter and a little salt and pepper. For our money, butter, salt and pepper are ALL that is needed for a perfect sweet potato. Later from the far northwest. Bill
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 17, 2017, 9:11 am
      I hope you loved it! It is definitely a favorite of mine!
  • Jacob January 24, 2017, 6:18 pm
    Totally worked! Thank you for the very college-friendly method :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 3, 2017, 8:10 pm
      Great! I am so glad it worked for you. This is definitely perfect for someone who only has a microwave!
  • Meidiana April 8, 2017, 11:49 am
    Hi. Should I set the microwave at medium or high?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 8, 2017, 11:55 am
      It should be on high. I will get the post updated to reflect that!
  • Viv April 29, 2017, 5:27 am
    Thank you this worked really well - I have never been successful with ordinary potatoes. The damp paper towel is clearly the key. OK it is not technically baked and the skin is not crisp but it is far more economical than heating conventional oven for one potato and was very tasty!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 29, 2017, 12:47 pm
      I'm so glad you tried it and it worked! Yes, not the same as a true baked potato, but pretty darn good in under 10 minutes!
  • Angel W. May 5, 2017, 2:28 pm
    I will need to cook two or three potatoes for my family. Do I double the cooking time?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 5, 2017, 8:14 pm
      You probably won't need to double the time, but will need to add at least another 2-3 minutes. I'd just try experimenting with it to see what works with your microwave.
  • Peg May 27, 2017, 2:29 pm
    I have been making my "baked" potatoes and sweet potatoes this way for years. I did not know about the damp paper towel, I'll try that. I have put cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar on the sweet potato and it is yummy. Also have tried applesauce with cinnamon.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 31, 2017, 8:41 am
      I definitely think the damp paper towel makes a difference, so you should absolutely try it. Nice idea with the applesauce addition. I'll have to give that a go!
  • CeeCee July 28, 2017, 6:25 pm
    How about oiling the skin instead of water?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 1, 2017, 7:46 pm
      You could definitely try that, but I think the water on the paper towel is important because it helps steam the potato as it cooks.
  • Terri-Anne Millard August 10, 2017, 5:33 pm
    Yes, I too love the damp paper towel tip, which gives the steaming affect! Totally ingenious, makes total sense! Wish I would have thought of it myself!! Lol :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 14, 2017, 6:53 pm
      It's definitely a good one!
  • Susan Brusco January 22, 2018, 9:55 am
    do not like microwaved regular or sweet potatoes because I like crispy skins on them when I eat them so, I'll keep using the oven. But for those who like the "steamed" kind your post is good
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 22, 2018, 2:16 pm
      There's no doubt that baked potatoes are the best, but this is great for when you are in a pinch!
  • Cas February 12, 2018, 9:24 am
    This is the first time I've cooked sweet potato but your easy recipe worked a treat! I wasn't even sure I would like it, but it was really delicious, and I can't wait to cook another. The damp kitchen towel is genius :-) thank you!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 12, 2018, 9:56 am
      I am so glad you found it helpful. It is definitely one of my favorite kitchen hacks!
  • jader July 6, 2018, 1:15 pm
    when the summer is here, too hot to bake my sweet potatoes, thank for the micowave fast enough to cook my sweet potatoes when I wanted to eat, and it turn out yummy, a fast way to cook it. Thank you!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 26, 2018, 10:46 am
      I'm so glad you enjoy this method!
  • Linda July 19, 2018, 7:20 pm
    I have a sweet potato in the microwave right now. It looks delicious. I will let you know later. This is my first time to try your recipe.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 26, 2018, 10:45 am
      Years later and it is still my go-to method!
  • Anna Polys October 10, 2018, 7:29 am
    Congrats to all you living in such luxury to have hours to bake potatoes in the oven and didn't understand the time saving intent of her post.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 26, 2018, 10:34 am
      Sometimes you just have to do what saves time, right?!
  • Ryan Boland September 12, 2021, 2:45 am
    Thanks for sharing this recipe.... I hope these could be helpful to choose the right on to purchase microwave oven among this options.
  • Maureen November 1, 2021, 3:55 pm
    Hi, there are 3 of us in my family. Could I cook all three at the same time in the microwave or do you recommend one at a time?
  • Najmul hasan February 3, 2022, 9:22 pm
    WOW, A very nice technic that I liked very much, I used to be very scared now I will get a little cheaper,
  • Najmul hasan February 3, 2022, 9:22 pm
    WOW, A very nice technic that I liked very much, I used to be very scared now I will get a little cheaper, thank you
  • Najmul hasan February 3, 2022, 9:27 pm
    WOW, A very nice technic that I liked very much, I used to be very scared now I will get a little cheaper, thank you..
  • Najmul hasan February 3, 2022, 10:02 pm
    WOW, A very easy technic that I loved it very much, I used to be very scared now I will get a little cheaper, thank you..
  • Jack Benjamin April 10, 2023, 4:45 am
    Hey there, thanks for sharing this fantastic article on how to make a baked sweet potato in the microwave. As someone who is always on the go and looking for quick and easy meal options, this is definitely going to come in handy. I appreciate the detailed instructions and helpful tips that you provided, especially the reminder to poke holes in the potato to avoid any messy explosions! One thing I particularly love about this recipe is how versatile it is. Sweet potatoes are such a nutritious and delicious food, and they can be paired with so many different toppings and seasonings to create a variety of flavors. Whether you're in the mood for something savory, like bacon and cheese, or something sweet, like cinnamon and honey, the possibilities are endless. Plus, the fact that they can be cooked in just a few minutes in the microwave makes them a great option for a quick and satisfying snack or meal. Overall, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this recipe and for your helpful tips and tricks. I'm definitely going to be giving this a try the next time I'm craving a healthy and delicious sweet potato. Keep up the great work, and I can't wait to see what other tasty recipes you have in store! Jack Benjamin recently posted...Best Shock Collar For Large Dogs with Thick FurMy Profile
  • Xeno Aldencroft November 2, 2023, 7:26 am
    Another great recipe. Xeno Aldencroft recently posted...Empower Your World: 5 Life-Enhancing Hobbies for WomenMy Profile
  • lulu December 22, 2023, 3:59 pm
    This Microwave oven counterpart 2023 is a powerhouse! With its sleek design and 2.2 cubic feet capacity, it easily accommodates large dishes. The inverter technology ensures even cooking, and the smart sensor takes the guesswork out of reheating. It's a kitchen game-changer!

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