If you have ever wondered how to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot this simple guide covers everything you need to know. Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are incredibly easy to make and a delicious vehicle for all of your favorite toppings. Ready in just 20 minutes!
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes turn out ultra-creamy, smooth and silky every time! Learn this no-fuss, foolproof method and you’ll have an easy and nutritious side ready in just 20 minutes.
One of our favorite easy side dish recipes, sweet potatoes are bursting with flavor and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They’re perfect for meal prep and great served with a variety of toppings or just a sprinkle of salt and a pat of butter.
Why you should try this recipe
- Easy: For this recipe, all you need to do is toss the potatoes in the pressure cooker and cook them to perfection! There are only 3 key ingredients and not many steps in this recipe, which makes it so simple and straightforward for cooks of all levels.
- Delicious: Pressure-cooked sweet potatoes turn out soft, sweet, and fluffy inside with a crispy flavorful outside.
- Versatile: Dress these potatoes however you would like with your favorite seasonings and toppings. They are a tasty addition to a variety of meals, whether you serve them as a side or as a main dish stuffed with chili.
- Healthy: Sweet potatoes are loaded with tons of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. They are also a great source of fiber, meaning they help keep you full.
What you’ll need for this recipe
There’s only one essential ingredient for this recipe: whole sweet potatoes!
- Sweet potatoes: Sometimes called Garnet Yams or Jewel Sweet Potatoes. Look for medium sweet potatoes, about two inches in diameter. Larger potatoes don’t cook as evenly. They should have reddish skin and bright orange flesh inside.
- Water: 1 cup of water is needed to create the steam that will build up and pressurize the cooker.
- Flaky salt & pepper: To flavor the sweet potatoes. Feel free to also add fresh thyme or any other herbs you like. You can also sprinkle on your favorite seasoning and/or spices.
How to make sweet potatoes with an instant pot
This is more of a how-to than an actual recipe. Once you’ve learned how to use your Instant Pot to cook sweet potatoes, it will be your go-to cooking method. Here are the simple steps:
- Prep: Thoroughly clean your sweet potatoes and remove any dirt or grit. Run the sweet potatoes under cool water and use your hands to brush off any residue on the skin. You can also trim off the ends.
- Add water & sweet potatoes to the Instant Pot: Pour the water into your pressure cooker and add in the insert. Arrange the potatoes over the insert.
- Cook: Cook on high pressure for 20-30 minutes (depending on the size of your
potatoes, mine were medium and 20 minutes was enough). Once the time is up,
allow the pot to naturally release the pressure. - Serve: When the potatoes have cooled enough to handle, slice them lengthwise and
season to taste and garnish with fresh thyme.
Expert Tips
A few tips to keep in mind:
- Instant Pot size. You can cook these in a 6 or 8-quart pressure cooker with no change to the cooking time. However, you may want to add 1/5 cup more water, if you’re using an 8-quart size.
- Size of sweet potatoes. The bigger and rounder your sweet potatoes are, the longer they will take to cook and the more likely you will end up with potatoes that are not cooked evenly. Instead, look for longer, uniform, medium sweet potatoes.
- Use the trivet. Always use the trivet to keep the sweet potatoes from sitting in the water and becoming soggy. They can be stacked.
Frequently asked questions
Small sweet potatoes take about 12 minutes, medium potatoes take about 20 minutes and larger ones take about 25 to 30 minutes to cook in a pressure cooker.
Yes, the peel of sweet potatoes is edible and filled with ten times more antioxidants than the flesh. Just be sure to scrub the outside clean before cooking.
A 6-quart Instant Pot will fit about 5 to 6 medium sweet potatoes and an 8-quart Instant Pot will fit up to 10 or more medium sweet potatoes.
Serving suggestions
Sweet potatoes are great with just a little salt & pepper, but they also make the perfect base for both sweet and savory toppings.
You can stuff your sweet potato with things like chili, shredded beef, beef brisket or slow cooker pulled chicken. Try to think outside of the box when it comes to serving sweet potatoes. While they have a different flavor profile than russet potatoes, they still pair well with more than you might think!
Here’s some inspiration:
- Scoop the sweet potatoes out of the skins and mash the flesh for creamy mashed sweet potatoes.
- Add seasonings like chili powder, curry powder, or taco seasoning.
- Make it into a breakfast sweet potato by topping it with granola and a drizzle of almond butter or honey.
- Top with Greek yogurt or sour cream and green onion for a delicious savory option.
- Our favorite sweet option is a topping of maple syrup, cinnamon, and butter. Yum!
Storage & reheating
Store cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 12 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
More instant pot recipes to try
What to serve with sweet potatoes
- Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
- Healthy Shrimp Scampi
- Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Mediterranean Baked Salmon
- Balsamic and Pesto Grilled Chicken
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Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 6 medium sweet potatoes scrubbed clean
- Flaky salt and ground pepper to taste
- Optional fresh thyme
Instructions
- Pour the water into your Instant Pot and add in the insert. Arrange the potatoes over the insert.
- Cook on high pressure for 20-30 minutes (depending on the size of your potatoes, mine were medium and 20 min was enough). Once the time is up, allow the pot to naturally release the pressure.
- Once the potatoes have cooled enough to handle, slice them lengthwise and season to taste and garnish with fresh thyme.
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