Fail-Proof Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
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Make these Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes for your busy weeknight dinners or holiday meal prep! This naturally vegan and gluten-free sweet potato recipe uses two ingredients for fork-tender sweet potatoes every time.
Making a filling and healthy weeknight meal should not be a chore; that is why I love using my Instant Pot to help me get dinners on the table with minimal dishes and effort. I love that I get fork-tender sweet potatoes every time without any active monitoring.
Especially as we get closer to the holiday season, using a pressure cooker for cooking instead of the oven keeps your kitchen running for the other main dishes you may prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
These easy-to-make Instant Pot baked sweet potatoes also serve as the perfect base for mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, or even a sweet potato pie!
Looking to bake sweet potatoes in the air fryer instead? Check out this easy air fryer baked potato recipe.
Why you will love this recipe
- Two ingredients make this a very budget-friendly recipe.
- Made in one pot means fewer dishes to clean up after cooking.
- Vegan and gluten-free – making it a healthy recipe for everyone!
- Quickly prep sweet potatoes with minimal hands-on time to eat right away or prep for meals during the week. That’s why making it in the Instant Pot is preferred over the oven.
How long does it take to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot?
The time to cook sweet potatoes depends on the size of this vegetable. And their sizes can vary a lot. That’s why it is important to buy the ones that are similar in size so that they cook evenly.
Total time to cook sweet potatoes = Pressure building time (10 minutes) + cooking time below (based on size) + wait for 10 minutes before releasing pressure.
To calculate the pressure cooking time of the sweet potatoes, use the cheatsheet below.
To get a good estimate, it is important to measure the circumference of the potatoes. After a while, you’ll get a hang of it and will be able to cook them without measuring. To get the circumference, find the widest section of the sweet potato and measure the circumference.
- Large (11 inches and more in circumference): 55-60 minutes
- Medium (8-10 inches in circumference): 35-45 minutes
- Small (6-7 inches in circumference): 25-30 minutes.
- Anything smaller than 6 inches – start at 15 minutes and adjust as needed.
If your sweet potato is uncooked, just put it right back in and pressure cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or as required.
How to steam sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot
Ingredients
Two ingredients come together for these tender and filling sweet potatoes. I have tested this recipe multiple times using Garnett potatoes. If you are using any other kind, the timings may differ.
- Sweet Potatoes – 4 sweet potatoes scrubbed to remove any dirt from the skin.
- Water – 1 cup of water provides enough water to help steam the sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot – 6 quart. Use 1.5 cups for 8-quart one.
Note: – You don’t need a steamer basket for this recipe; just use the trivet that came with the Instant Pot.
Directions
- Rinse the sweet potatoes and scrub under running water to remove any dirt.
- With a fork, poke the sweet potatoes evenly to allow the potato to vent and prevent the sweet potatoes from exploding in the Instant Pot.
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot steel pot. Add 1 cup of water for a 6-qt instant pot and 1.5 cups of water for an 8-qt instant pot.
- Place the sweet potatoes on the trivet and cover the Instant Pot. Cook the sweet potatoes on high, using the times listed below, based on the size of the sweet potato. These timings are estimates only – make sure to adjust it for any altitude difference. To make sweet potatoes with a bite, use the lower end of the estimate.
– Large (11 inches and more in circumference): 55-60 minutes
– Medium (8-10 inches in circumference): 35-45 minutes
– Small (6-7 inches in circumference): 25-30 minutes.
– For sweet potatoes smaller than 6 inches, pressure cook for 15 minutes. - Allow the pressure to release naturally on the Instant Pot. If you are in a rush, allow pressure to release for 10 minutes, then release the pressure.
- If the sweet potato is still uncooked, place the sweet potatoes back in the Instant Pot and pressure cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Enjoy your sweet potato with the toppings of your choosing!
Recipe Notes
- Important: Select sweet potatoes that are the same size so that it cooks evenly.
- It is okay to stack them but no more than 2 layers. Stacking will not impact the cooking time.
- To reduce the cooking time – chop them in half. This allows you to cut the cooking time in half.
Frequently asked questions
I have pressure cooked without piercing the potatoes several times, and it turned out okay. But there was this one time the sweet potatoes just cracked open. I am glad it didn’t explode, so I have been poking it evenly.
To make mashed sweet potatoes, it is better to chop them into 1-2 inch cubes and cook them for 10 minutes. Wait 10 minutes to release pressure, then mash them using a potato masher. This is the fastest way to cook sweet potatoes; it doesn’t matter what their original size was as long as you chop them evenly.
Sweet potatoes are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals. 1 cup of cooked sweet potato makes up over 700 % of the recommended vitamin A daily value. They also contain high levels of Vitamin C and are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber.
The health benefits of sweet potatoes are so great that any way you choose to eat them would be very healthy for you. That said, it’s much healthier to eat baked, boiled, or steamed sweet potatoes over fried sweet potatoes.
What pairs well with sweet potato?
I think sweet potatoes pair well with everything! Here are some of the classic pairings –
- You can make these sweet potatoes and serve them as a side to a chicken dinner.
- Chop sweet potatoes up and roast them with other seasonal vegetables like Brussel sprouts or carrots.
- Blend cooked sweet potatoes to make a sweet potato casserole or even a pie!
- My favorite way is to serve it with butter and sometimes drizzle it with maple syrup.
Other delicious Instant Pot side dishes to try
If you enjoyed making these tender and easy sweet potatoes here are a few other Instant Pot side dishes to try next!
- Instant Pot Steamed and Sautéed Brussel Sprouts– These tender on the inside, pan-crisped Brussels sprouts make the perfect vegetarian side dish for any weeknight meal!
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes– This delicious Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe yields creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes all in one pot and in under 30 minutes.
- Honey Glazed Instant Pot Carrots– Learn how to steam carrots in the Instant Pot and glaze them to make this delicious side dish.
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes – Learn how to cook this classic, comfort food side dish with just two ingredients and very little prep work.
- Instant Pot Corn on the cob – If you’re looking for a healthy side dish or the perfect vegetable to serve at your Summer BBQ party, you’ll love this easy Instant Pot corn on the cob. Flavorful, juicy, and perfectly cooked every time.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Rinse the sweet potatoes and scrub them to remove any dirt.
- Poke the sweet potatoes evenly. This prevents the potatoes from exploding in the Instant Pot.
- Place a trivet in the Instant Pot and then add a cup of water for 6-quarts and 1.5 cups for 8 quarts.
- Place the potatoes over the trivet. Cover the Instant Pot and cook the potatoes on high as per the timings mentioned below. These timings are estimates only – make sure to adjust it for any altitude difference. To make sweet potatoes with a bite, use the lower end of the estimate. – Large (11 inches and more in circumference): 55-60 minutes– Medium (8-10 inches in circumference): 35-45 minutes– Small (6-7 inches in circumference): 25-30 minutes.For sweet potatoes smaller than 6 inches, pressure cook for 15 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally or if you are in a rush, wait for 10 minutes, and then release pressure.
- If your sweet potato is uncooked, just put it right back in and pressure cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or as required.
- Enjoy it with the toppings of your choice.
Notes
- Important: Select sweet potatoes that are the same size so that it cooks evenly.
- This recipe was tested using Garnett potatoes.
- It is okay to stack them but no more than 2 layers. Stacking will not impact the cooking time.
- To reduce the cooking time – chop them into half. This allows you to cut the cooking time in half.
- To make mashed sweet potatoes, it is better to chop into 1-2 inch cubes and cook them for 10 minutes. Wait for 10 minutes to release pressure. Mush them using a potato masher. This is the fastest way to cook sweet potatoes and it doesn’t matter what their original size was till you chop them evenly.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
