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Instant Pot sweet potatoes cook quickly and come out perfectly tender. This easy method is ideal for meal prep or a simple side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Instant Pot sweet potatoes cook in a fraction of the time compared to baking in the oven.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Just add water, set the timer, and let the Instant Pot do the work.
- Perfectly Tender: Consistent, fluffy results every time with no guesswork.
- Versatile: Serve as a side dish, mash them, or use in soups, salads, and casseroles.
- Healthy Choice: Sweet potatoes are naturally nutritious, packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
I love making sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot because it’s the simplest way to get them cooked perfectly every time. I don’t have to turn on the oven, and in just minutes I can have soft, fluffy sweet potatoes ready to enjoy.
Whether I’m using them as a base for a meal, topping them with butter and cinnamon, or saving them for meal prep, the Instant Pot always makes the process quick and dependable.
Looking for delicious single serving and small batch sweet potato recipes? Try our mini sweet potato pie, small batch sweet potato fries, sweet potato and black bean salad, or small sweet potato casserole.
How To Cook Sweet Potatoes In An Instant Pot
Wash and poke the sweet potatoes with a fork, then place them on the trivet inside a 3-quart Instant Pot with 1 cup of water. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure until tender – about 12 minutes for small potatoes and 15 minutes for medium ones. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining steam. You’ll have perfectly cooked Instant Pot sweet potatoes, ready to eat or use in recipes.
Expert Tips
- Choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly in the Instant Pot.
- Place the potatoes on the trivet, not directly in the water, to prevent soggy skins.
- If the potatoes are very large, cut them in half before cooking to reduce time.
- Always allow at least 10 minutes of natural pressure release for the best texture.
- If the sweet potatoes aren’t fully tender, simply return the lid and cook for 2–3 more minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking time depends on size. Small sweet potatoes take about 12 minutes, medium ones around 15 minutes, plus the time it takes for the pot to come to pressure.
Yes. Poking holes with a fork allows steam to escape and helps the sweet potatoes cook evenly.
Yes, as long as they’re in a single layer on the trivet and not overcrowded.
No, cook them with the skin on. Peel after cooking if you prefer.
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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:
Small Batch Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 cup water
- steamer trivet
Instructions
- Scrub the sweet potatoes and pierce each with a fork.
- Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Arrange the potatoes on top.
- Secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining steam.
- Remove the lid and take out the sweet potatoes. Serve warm or store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly in the Instant Pot.
- Place the potatoes on the trivet, not directly in the water, to prevent soggy skins.
- If the potatoes are very large, cut them in half before cooking to reduce time.
- Always allow at least 10 minutes of natural pressure release for the best texture.
- If the sweet potatoes aren’t fully tender, simply return the lid and cook for 2–3 more minutes.
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.