A medium sweet potato (about 7 to 8 oz) usually takes about 5 to 8 minutes on high, though sources range from about 5 minutes to about 10. Pierce the skin all over, flip it halfway, and test with a fork. If the fork doesn’t slide in easily, cook in 1-minute bursts. Cubes take roughly 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the method. Your microwave’s wattage and the potato’s size change the time more than anything else.
Read More: How to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave Safely
Sweet Potato Microwave Time Chart
The reviewed sources give different times, so use this as a starting range and adjust by checking doneness.
| What you’re cooking | Time on high | Source |
| 1 medium potato (7 to 8 oz) | About 5 minutes (3 minutes, flip, then 2 to 3 more) | Matt’s Fit Chef |
| 1 medium potato | About 5 minutes, flipping halfway | Live Eat Learn |
| 1 potato (8 oz) | About 5 minutes | Food Republic |
| 1 potato (1000W) | 6 to 7 minutes | Hungry Healthy Happy |
| 1 medium potato (about 7 oz) | About 10 minutes | The Takeout |
| 2 medium potatoes (about 8 oz each) | 5 to 11 minutes total, depending on wattage | My Forking Life |
| 2 potatoes (1000W) | 8 minutes | Hungry Healthy Happy |
| Cubes | 4 to 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes (with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water, covered) | Live Eat Learn |
| Cubes in a steamer, 800W | 5 minutes, shake, then about 3 more (8 total) | Recipe This |
What this means: most sources land around 5 to 8 minutes for one medium potato. The Takeout’s 10 minutes is the outlier, so start with the lower end and add time.
Time by Microwave Wattage
My Forking Life gives starting times for two medium potatoes (about 8 oz each):
| Microwave power | Starting time for 2 potatoes |
| 600W | 10 to 11 minutes |
| 800W | 8 to 9 minutes |
| 1000W | 5 to 6 minutes |
| 1200W | 4 to 5 minutes |
This recipe lists these as initial times, then says to continue in 1-minute intervals until soft. Hungry Healthy Happy’s 8 minutes for two potatoes at 1000W is longer than My Forking Life’s 5 to 6 minutes, which shows how much recipes differ.
How to Microwave a Whole Sweet Potato
- Scrub and dry the potato.
- Pierce the skin all over with a fork. Matt’s Fit Chef suggests three to four holes on each side. Piercing lets steam escape so the potato doesn’t burst (Food Republic, Hungry Healthy Happy).
- Place it on a microwave-safe plate. Live Eat Learn also wraps it in a damp paper towel, which is optional.
- Cook on high. Start with about 3 minutes, then flip.
- Cook 2 to 3 more minutes, or follow the time chart above for your wattage.
- Test with a fork. It should slide in easily. If not, microwave in 1-minute bursts and retest (Food Republic, My Forking Life, Live Eat Learn).
- Let it rest. Matt’s Fit Chef says 2 to 5 minutes before cutting, and Hungry Healthy Happy says a few minutes helps the heat spread and makes it safer to handle.
How Size and Number Change the Time
- Smaller potatoes take less time and larger ones take more. The Takeout says to add a few minutes for a larger one and keep adding time until it is done.
- More than one potato: Food Republic adds about 2 extra minutes per additional potato, and Hungry Healthy Happy suggests adding “a couple of minutes” for more than 2.
- Cook evenly: Choose potatoes of similar size when cooking more than one, so they finish together. This is my practical advice, not a source claim.
How to Microwave Sweet Potato Cubes
Cubes cook faster than whole potatoes, but the sources use different methods.
Method 1 (Live Eat Learn): Put cubes in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water, cover, and microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until fork-tender.
Method 2 (Recipe This): Put cubes in a steamer basket with 1 tablespoon of water, cover with the lid, and microwave for 5 minutes (800W). Shake, fork-test, and cook about 3 more minutes. Cut the cubes as evenly as possible, and let the steam escape before transferring.
The Recipe: This page also gives shorter times for partial cooking: 3 minutes to parboil and 5 minutes to soften.
Cube size: Neither source gives a size, so cut them evenly and check early.
How to Tell When It’s Done
- A fork or sharp knife slides into the center easily (Food Republic, Live Eat Learn).
- The potato feels tender when poked (Matt’s Fit Chef).
- If it’s still firm, add 1 minute at a time and test again.
Tips for Better Results
- Expect soft skin. Food Republic notes that microwaved skin stays soft because the method steams instead of bakes. For crispier skin,n it suggests broiling for a few minutes, or microwaving for a couple of minutes and finishing in a 425°F oven for about 15 minutes.
- The skin slips off easily after cooking, which helps if you’re mashing or pureeing (Food Republic).
- Season after cooking, or rub the pierced skin with olive oil and kosher salt first, as Food Republic suggests.
- Reheat leftovers on medium power for 1 to 2 minutes (Matt’s Fit Chef).
- Store raw sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place and use them within a week or two. Choose firm ones without cracks or soft spots (Hungry Healthy Happy).
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
| Hard center | Not enough time, or the potato is large | Cook in 1-minute bursts and retest |
| Burst potato | Skin not pierced | Pierce all over next time |
| Uneven cooking | Not flipped, or potatoes of mixed size | Flip halfway and match sizes |
| Dry or shriveled | Overcooked | Use shorter bursts and check early |
| Soggy cubes | Too much water | Use only 1 to 3 tablespoons |
The troubleshooting causes are my reading of the sources’ tips, since none of them includes a problem table.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook a sweet potato in the microwave?
About 5 to 8 minutes on high for one medium potato, though sources range from 5 to 10 minutes. Check with a fork.
How long for two sweet potatoes?
My Forking Life gives 5 to 11 minutes total for two medium potatoes depending on wattage. Hungry Healthy Happy gives 8 minutes at 1000W.
How do I know when it’s done?
A fork should slide in easily. If it doesn’t, cook in 1-minute increments.
Can I microwave a sweet potato in a bowl of water?
For cubes, yes: 1 to 3 tablespoons of water, covered, is what the sources use. Whole potatoes are cooked dry in the sources reviewed.
How do I reheat a cooked sweet potato?
Medium power for 1 to 2 minutes, according to Matt’s Fit Chef.
Why is my sweet potato still hard after 5 minutes?
It may be large, or your microwave may be low-wattage. Add 1 minute at a time and retest.
Conclusion
For one medium sweet potato, start with about 5 minutes on high, pierce the skin, flip it halfway, and test with a fork, then add 1-minute bursts until it is tender. Larger potatoes, extra potatoes, and lower-wattage microwaves all need more time, while cubes are faster. Because the sources disagree on exact times, trust the fork test over the clock, and note what works in your microwave so you can repeat it.
