Easy Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes have the quickest cooking time. They come out fluffy, light, and perfect for dinner! Try them today!
Regular Baked Sweet Potatoes are a great hearty Side Dish for any dinner, as are Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Easy as sweet potatoes are, it typically takes an hour to cook them. This Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe brings that cooking time to 30 minutes or less depending on the size of the potatoes!
Once you’ve tried Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes they are sure to become a go-to recipe. The electric pressure cooker brings down the cooking time and makes the sweet potatoes just as silky, fluffy, and flavorful as they should be. Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes are perfect for a dinner side or to enjoy for a simple lunch. They never fail to bring plenty of flavor to any meal.
Table of contents
Sabrina’s Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Along with how delicious they are, sweet potatoes are also a healthy ingredient to add to your diet. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and are good at helping to manage blood sugar levels. They also have anti-inflammatory components. Cook sweet potatoes any time you want a healthy dish that still tastes buttery and sweet. After cooking potatoes, you can add a variety of toppings to your Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes.
This Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe is tasty enough that you can just add some butter and call it good, or use them for Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole. You can also add a variety of new flavors with bacon bits, brown sugar, pecans, or even marshmallows. If you’ve ever tried Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows then you know how delicious that sweet gooey mix can be!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Water: The water is used to create steam in the Instant Pot, which helps cook the sweet potatoes under pressure. It also prevents the sweet potatoes from drying out during cooking. Try to use purified water if you are able.
- 4 Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are the main ingredient of this dish. The fork piercings allow steam to escape and prevent them from bursting during cooking.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
- Instant Pot: This is the primary equipment needed for this recipe. It’s an electric pressure cooker that allows you to cook the sweet potatoes quickly and efficiently.
- Metal Rack Insert: The trivet (metal rack insert) is used inside the Instant Pot to elevate the sweet potatoes above the water. It prevents them from getting soggy and allows steam to circulate.
- Fork: You’ll need a fork to pierce the sweet potatoes before cooking. This helps the steam escape during the cooking process and prevents the sweet potatoes from bursting. Make about 10 piercings in each sweet potato.
- Measuring Cup: A measuring cup is essential to accurately measure and add the required amount of water (1 cup) to the Instant Pot.
How to Make
Time needed: 20 minutes.
- Prepare Instant Pot
Place the metal rack insert (trivet) inside the Instant Pot.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Before you start cooking, take a look at your potatoes, and pick out ones around the same size. Their size will adjust the cooking time. Next, scrub the potatoes before cooking. Pierce each sweet potato about 10 times with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking.
- Add Water
Pour water into the Instant Pot to create steam. The water should cover the bottom but not touch the sweet potatoes.
- Arrange Sweet Potatoes
Place the prepared sweet potatoes on the metal rack inside the Instant Pot.
- Cook Under Pressure
Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high:
– For sweet potatoes 8 ounces and less, set cook time for 15 minutes.
– For sweet potatoes 8-12 ounces, set cook time for 20 minutes.
– For sweet potatoes 12-18 ounces, set cook time for 25 minutes. - Natural Release
Allow the pressure to release naturally after cooking is complete. This will take some time, so be patient. After the pressure has released on its own, the valve will pop and the pressure cooker will unlock. Release any remaining pressure after 10-15 minutes.
- Serve
Carefully open the Instant Pot, and your perfectly cooked sweet potatoes are ready to be served as a side dish. Serve the cooked potatoes with your favorite toppings or add in some heavy cream and butter to make them into mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Can This Be Made Ahead?
Yes, you can make Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven when ready to serve for a quick side dish.
Nutritional Facts
How to Store
Storing
Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes can stay good at room temperature for about 2 hours. After 2 hours, wrap the recipe in tin foil or put the Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes in an airtight container. The recipe will stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Reheating Tips
To reheat Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes, use a microwave for a quick option. Simply place them on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second increments until warmed through.
Freezing
For meal prep, you can wrap the potatoes in tin foil and then put them in a plastic bag to store in the freezer. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 10 months.
Serving Ideas for Sweet Potatoes
Have another brilliant serving idea you want to share? Share it in the comments below!
- Classic Butter and Cinnamon: Serve the sweet potatoes hot, split open, and topped with a pat of butter, a sprinkle of brown sugar, and a dash of ground cinnamon.
- Marshmallow Topping: Create a delightful sweet treat by adding mini marshmallows on top of the hot sweet potatoes and briefly broiling them until golden and gooey. It’s a favorite for kids and adds a lovely contrast of textures.
- Savory Herb Butter: For a savory twist, serve the sweet potatoes with a dollop of herbed butter made by mixing melted butter with chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage.
- Greek Yogurt and Honey: Top the sweet potatoes with a generous spoonful of Greek yogurt and drizzle with honey for a creamy, tangy, and sweet contrast. It’s a healthier and more elegant option!
- Pecan and Maple Syrup: Enhance the dish’s texture and flavor by adding a handful of toasted pecans and drizzling with warm maple syrup. The crunch of the nuts and the richness of the syrup create a delightful combination.
- Dried Fruit Compote: Serve with a side of dried fruit compote, like raisins, cranberries, or apricots, simmered in a bit of orange juice and sugar. The fruity compote complements the sweet potatoes wonderfully.
Frequent Questions
The sweet potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork. If the fork goes in easily, they are done. Cooking times provided are based on the weight of the sweet potatoes. If in doubt, you can use the 20-minute timer. The texture might be more mashed versus baked depending on the actual size.
You can use a makeshift trivet by creating a foil sling by folding a long piece of foil into a thick strip and placing it beneath the sweet potatoes to keep them elevated.
Yes, you can use a different size Instant Pot, but make sure not to overcrowd the sweet potatoes. Adjust the cooking times based on the size and capacity of your Instant Pot.
Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite seasonings or herbs to the sweet potatoes before cooking to infuse them with extra flavor. Check out the Variations list below!
It’s recommended to release the pressure naturally to allow the sweet potatoes to finish cooking and avoid any potential spillover. A quick release may result in unevenly cooked sweet potatoes.
Yes, if they are Russet potatoes. Keep in mind that regular potatoes have different cooking times and textures. The recipe is optimized for sweet potatoes, so results may vary. If you’re looking for a regular mashed potato recipe, check out our Easy Mashed Potatoes.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 4 sweet potatoes , scrubbed clean
Instructions
- To a 6 quart instant pot (pressure cooker) add the metal rack insert.
- Pierce the potatoes with a fork 10 times each.
- Pour in the water, then add potatoes.
- Cook on high pressure.
- For 8 ounces and less per sweet potato: 15 minutes on high pressure
- For 8-12 ounces per sweet potato: 20 minutes on high pressure
- For 12-18 ounces per sweet potato: 25 minutes on high pressure
- Release pressure naturally.
Notes
- Click on the yield amount to slide and change the number of servings and the recipe will automatically update!
- Click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.
- To convert measurements to grams, click on the Metric option next to Ingredients in the recipe card.
Nutrition
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Variations on Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Cheesy Sweet Potatoes: One delicious way to serve Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes is with cheese over the top. Cut the Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes in half length-wise after cooking. Then spread butter over each side. Sprinkle mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, or Swiss cheese over the top.
- Sweet Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes: Another way is to add maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar topping for more sweetness in the sweet potatoes recipe.
- Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes: After piercing the sweet potatoes, drizzle them with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon on top for a sweet and fragrant twist. Follow the same cooking instructions.
- Savory Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Instead of water, use vegetable or chicken broth for added flavor. Season the sweet potatoes with a mixture of herbs like rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder before cooking. Use 1 teaspoon each.
- Spicy Cajun Sweet Potatoes: Season with a Cajun spice blend before cooking to give your sweet potatoes a spicy kick. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for balance.
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