When it comes to nutrition, sweet potatoes beat white potatoes hands down. They have good carbohydrates, the kind with a low glycemic index so they don’t produce a sugar crash. The vitamins and minerals in sweet potatoes make them a great addition to your diet, particularly if you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply trying to eat more plant-based foods. There’s even a bonus if you eat the skin—you’ll get some additional fiber.
With all this nutrition, plus their nutty, sweet taste, it’s no wonder people are finding room for sweet potatoes in their diet. Another reason for their popularity is that with the help of a microwave, a “baked” sweet potato can be ready in mere minutes.
How to microwave a sweet potato
It’s easy to microwave a sweet potato. North Carolina Sweet Potatoes offers these simple steps:
- Scrub the potato clean.Pierce it with a fork five or six times to help let steam out while it’s cooking.Microwave for five to eight minutes depending on the size. The potato is done when its skin puffs to a crisp finish and a knife slides through the flesh easily.
For each additional potato you put in the microwave, you’ll need about two additional minutes of cooking time.
Once your potato is cooked, you can slice it open and eat it as you would an oven-baked sweet potato, or you can scoop out the insides, mash and use in a recipe that calls for sweet potatoes.
Toppings for baked sweet potatoes
If you’re short on time, you can make your microwaved “baked” sweet potato into a quick meat-free meal. Try these toppings:
- Scrambled eggs, tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese, as in the photo aboveFeta cheese and herbsChili and avocado ranch dressingSteamed broccoli and cheddar cheeseCottage cheese and blueberriesSpiced Greek yogurt and honeyBlack beans, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chivesArugula and Pecorino
