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Cooking sweet potatoes doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. With this Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes recipe, you’ll discover a quick and convenient method that turns this nutritious vegetable into a delightful dish.
Looking for more sweet potato recipes? Try our Mini Sweet Potato Pie, a small batch of Sweet Potato Fries, a Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad, or our dreamy Mini Sweet Potato Casserole!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Just set your Instant Pot and enjoy perfectly cooked sweet potatoes without the fuss.
- Quick Prep: Forget waiting for an hour or more in the oven; this recipe will have your sweet potatoes ready in a fraction of the time, making it a perfect option for busy evenings.
- Consistent Results: The Instant Pot ensures that your sweet potatoes are cooked to the same tender perfection every time, taking the guesswork out of cooking.
- Versatile Side Dish: These sweet potatoes can be transformed into a multitude of dishes or enjoyed on their own, fitting seamlessly into any meal plan.
- Healthy Option: Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making this recipe a nutritious choice that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes – An Easy Method
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Use a fork to poke holes into the sweet potatoes, allowing steam to penetrate for even cooking.
- Add Water: Pour 1 cup of water into the 3-quart Instant Pot. This will create the necessary steam for pressure cooking.
- Place the Sweet Potatoes: Position the sweet potatoes on the steaming trivet that accompanies the Instant Pot. The trivet ensures the sweet potatoes are not submerged in the water.
- Seal and Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on high pressure. Follow your appliance’s instructions for exact cooking times based on the size of your sweet potatoes.
This simple method provides a quick and efficient way to enjoy perfectly cooked sweet potatoes.
Cooking Time For Sweet Potatoes In The Instant Pot
The cooking time for sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot will vary based on their size. Here’s a helpful guide to ensure perfectly cooked sweet potatoes:
- Medium-Sized Sweet Potatoes (8 to 10 ounces each): These typically require around 15 minutes of cooking time in the Instant Pot. This duration was found to be perfect for the medium-sized sweet potatoes used in our recipe.
- Smaller Sweet Potatoes (4 to 6 ounces each): For these, reduce the cooking time to 12 minutes.
Keep in mind that it might take a few minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure, so plan accordingly. Adjusting the cooking time according to the size of the sweet potatoes will ensure a tender and delicious result. Experimenting with different sizes? Feel free to adjust the time as needed!
Choosing The Right Size Instant Pot: A Guide
When it comes to picking the right Instant Pot size, consider the number of people you’ll be cooking for and your specific needs:
- 3-Quart Instant Pot: Ideal for individuals, couples, or small households, the 3-quart Instant Pot is the perfect fit if you’re cooking for one or two people. Great for college students, single adults, or empty nesters, this compact model is equipped with most features found in larger versions. It’s also an excellent choice for small kitchens or for those who travel in an RV.
- 6-Quart Instant Pot: If you’re someone who enjoys meal prepping or batch cooking, even if cooking mainly for yourself, the 6-quart size may be more suitable. It offers more capacity and flexibility for various cooking needs.
Keep your cooking habits and kitchen space in mind when choosing the size of your Instant Pot. Both options come with unique advantages tailored to different lifestyles and culinary requirements.
Serving Suggestions
- As a Side: Pair with baked chicken or a juicy steak.
- Stuffed: Top with black beans, cheese, and salsa for a main dish.
- Mashed: Add butter and cinnamon for a comforting mashed version.
- In Salads: Cube and toss with greens and other roasted veggies.
- In a Pie: Use in a mini sweet potato pie.
RELATED: Easy Dinner Ideas For One
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For this easy Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes recipe, I use an Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-quart. For best results, use an Instant Pot of similar size.
If you would like additional information on the dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes we use, please visit our Store page.
Small Batch Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 cup water
- steamer trivet
Instructions
- Scrub skin of sweet potatoes with a brush until clean.
- Add water to the Instant Pot.
- Place the steaming trivet inside, and lay the potatoes on top.
- Place the lid on and secure it. Turn the pressure release knob to a sealed position.
- Use the manual mode and cook at high pressure for 15 minutes.
- When pressure cooking is complete, use a natural release. (After the cooking time has completed, the Instant Pot will automatically turn to "Warm" mode and the pressure will slowly release naturally, this process takes about 10 minutes).
- When this process has completed, remove the lid and remove the sweet potatoes from the Instant Pot.
- Enjoy immediately. Leftovers can be safely stored in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to four days.
Notes
- As a Side: Pair with baked chicken or a juicy steak.
- Stuffed: Top with black beans, cheese, and salsa for a main dish.
- Mashed: Add butter and cinnamon for a comforting mashed version.
- In Salads: Cube and toss with greens and other roasted veggies.
- In a Pie: Use in a mini sweet potato pie.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I just purchased my Instant Pot and this recipe is the second thing I’ve ever made in it. I have a 6 quart one and your recipe worked great even with one 1 sweet potato.
I’m so happy the recipe worked for you. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
i dont have a instant pot but i have a 2 quart pressure cooker can i use that to do this in
It should work just fine. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with your pressure cooker and use the correct amount of liquid specified for your pressure cooker.