How to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave in less than 5 minutes

Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious food that can be incorporated into many different dishes. However, cooking it can be a time-consuming and laborious task.

Luckily, there's a quick and easy solution for those days when you need a quick meal: cooking the sweet potato in the microwave. In this article, we will teach you how to cook perfect microwave sweet potatoes in less than 5 minutes.

You may be wondering: what is the sweet potato?

Given its name, you can imagine why sweet potatoes are called that. This root has a sweet flavor that you don't find in other forms of potatoes. They can also be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small to wide and long.

Why cook sweet potatoes in the microwave

You may be wondering why you want to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave. After all, you can just bake them in the oven or cook them on the stove, right?

Well, the problem is, sometimes you just don't have time or energy to preheat the oven. Maybe you're short on oven space, or maybe you're cooking for a large group and don't want to overcrowd your oven. In these cases, the microwave can be a real lifesaver.

Plus, microwaving sweet potatoes is much faster than cooking them on the stove. In fact, it only takes about five minutes. So if you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook sweet potatoes, the microwave is definitely the way to go.

nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes

You already knew that sweet potatoes are delicious, but did you know that they are also super nutritious?

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins A, C, E, and B-6, as well as potassium, manganese and fiber. Plus, they're packed with antioxidants that can help boost your immune system and keep your skin looking great.

And if you are worried about calories or sugar content, don't worry because they are very healthy for humans.

A portion of 1/2 cup of cooked sweet potatoes contains only 80 calories and less than 2 grams of sugar. So the next time you are looking for a healthier side dish or snack option, then sweet potatoes will be a healthy option to consider.

Safety Tips to Consider When Cooking Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave

When cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave, there are a few safety considerations to take into account.

First: Make sure to wash your potatoes well before you start cooking them. This will help remove any dirt or pesticides from the skin.

Second: Always rinse sweet potatoes under cold water and scrub them with a brush to remove any dirt or residue.

Third: Make some small holes in the skin of the sweet potato with a fork so that it can absorb the water and not burst in the microwave.

Fourth: Wrap the sweet potato in a damp paper towel before placing it in the microwave.

This will help keep the potatoes moist and ensure they cook evenly. Follow these tips, and you'll have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes every time!

list of ingredients

This recipe is quite simple and as such we will only need 2 sweet potatoes of medium size.

In terms of utensils, you will need the following:

• microwave
• some paper towels.
• Microwave-safe dish

How to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave step by step

Below I show you how to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave in a simple and practical way:

1. Wash your sweet potatoes well.
2. Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork.
3. Wrap the potato in a paper towel and soak with a little water until soaked.
4. Place the sweet potato in a microwave-safe dish.
5. Cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave for 5 minutes on high power, or until soft.
6. Remove the sweet potato from the microwave and serve.

Flavor variations of this recipe

The best part about cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave is that there are endless possibilities for flavoring your dishes. You can season with herbs, butter, spices, shoyu sauce or other seasonings. Or try the following ingredients to vary the flavor:

• For a light and healthy dish, try adding some lemon, thyme and rosemary.
• For an Asian touch, add garlic powder, ginger powder and soy sauce.
• If you're craving sweets, try adding cinnamon powder and honey.
• If you want something saltier and tastierThrow in some chopped walnuts and barbecue sauce.

Regardless of what you decide to add to your microwaved sweet potato dish, there are a wide variety of different flavors to try.

What to Serve with Microwave Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Now that you know how to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave, let me show you what to serve with them? Sweet potatoes are versatile enough to be used in almost any meal.

You can use microwaved sweet potatoes a thousand and one wayssuch as:

• To stuff tacos, add a sweet flavor to meats and salads.
• As a nutritional element for your favorite soup.
• You can mix it with other vegetables to prepare a main dish.
• Place on top of fried chicken for a gourmet decoration.
• Add it to your salad recipes and even use it to prepare vegetarian burgers.

For breakfast or an afternoon snack, take advantage of the nutritious benefits of sweet potatoes cooked in the microwave by tossing them into your usual egg sandwich or toast.

If you're leaning toward something healthier, pair it with some whole grains and plain yogurt for a refreshing snack.

Even at night you can choose to serve it alongside your favorite vegetables and roast meat for a great healthy dinner.

Common mistakes to avoid when cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave

Now that you know how to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave, it's important to keep in mind some common mistakes to avoid.

1. Be sure to pierce the shell of the sweet potato before putting it in the microwave – this will help release excess steam during cooking to avoid any nasty explosions!
2. Wrap the sweet potato in a paper towel before putting it in the microwave. This will prevent the potato skin from drying out and becoming tough during cooking.
3. Also make sure there are no plastic film on food as this can resist the high temperatures of the microwave and cause fire inside it!

How to store and conserve

If you have leftover sweet potatoes cooked in the microwave, store them in the refrigerator in a tightly closed Tupperware container. The best way to preserve it is to cut the remaining sweet potatoes into cubes and store them in an airtight container.

This will make the leftovers last until three days in the fridge. If you want to serve leftovers for a later meal, simply place the cooked cubes in a pan with some hot water and heat. Be sure to stir regularly to avoid burning.

Frequently asked questions about sweet potatoes

Do you have any questions about how to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave? We understand! Here are some answers to frequently asked questions you may have:

Can you make sweet potato chips in the microwave?

Yes, you can make sweet potato chips in the microwave. Just cut the potatoes into thin slices, spread them in a bowl and add oil and salt.

How long does it take to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave?

It depends on how much potato you are cooking. Overall, it takes about 4 to 5 minutes to cook one large potato or three small potatoes in the microwave.

Is it possible to bake sweet potatoes in the microwave?

Yes, it is possible to bake sweet potatoes in the microwave, as long as you take the necessary precautions.

What are the best seasonings to use on sweet potatoes?

You can add simple seasonings to your sweet potatoes for an even better dish.

Ideal seasonings include cinnamon, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, sea salt, cayenne pepper and fresh herbs.

Try combining some of these seasonings to create your own special blends for the dish.

So there you have it: a complete guide to perfectly cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave. Follow these simple steps and you'll have mouth-watering sweet potatoes in no time!