Sweet potatoes are tasty and healthy, but cooking them in the oven can take a long time. The Instant Pot makes it much faster and easier. In just a few minutes, you can have soft, creamy sweet potatoes that are ready to eat. Whether you want to mash them, bake them, or stuff them, the Instant Pot gives perfect results every time.
I use my Instant Pot all the time, and it takes away the guesswork. You don’t have to check them with a fork or worry about some pieces being undercooked. The Instant Pot keeps the sweet potatoes soft, sweet, and full of flavor. It also helps keep more nutrients compared to other cooking methods, which is great if you want healthy meals fast.
It’s also very simple. You just need sweet potatoes, some water, and your Instant Pot. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or quick sides for family dinners. Once you try pressure-cooked sweet potatoes, you’ll notice how soft, naturally sweet, and delicious they taste—every single time.
Why Cook Sweet Potatoes in an Instant Pot
Cooking sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot is much faster than using an oven or microwave. Small or medium sweet potatoes that take almost an hour in the oven can be ready in 20–25 minutes in the Instant Pot. The texture comes out soft and creamy without being mushy. I’ve tried many ways to cook sweet potatoes, and the Instant Pot always gives perfect results, no matter the size.
Another big benefit is that it keeps more nutrients in the sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have lots of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that can get lost with long cooking times or high heat. The Instant Pot cooks them quickly with steam and pressure, locking in the natural sweetness and healthy nutrients.
It’s also very easy and hands-off. Once you set the cooking time and pressure, the Instant Pot does the work for you. You can make other dishes, clean the kitchen, or relax while it cooks. For busy families or anyone who wants a fast, healthy side dish, this method is a real lifesaver.
Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
| Nutrient | Benefit | Notes |
| Vitamin A | Supports healthy vision and immune system | Sweet potatoes are one of the best natural sources of vitamin A |
| Vitamin C | Helps with immunity and skin health | Cooking in the Instant Pot preserves more vitamin C than boiling |
| Vitamin B6 | Supports brain function and energy metabolism | Found naturally in sweet potatoes, important for overall health |
| Fiber | Aids digestion and helps maintain healthy blood sugar | Instant Pot cooking keeps fiber intact |
| Antioxidants | Protects cells and fights inflammation | Preserved better with fast, pressure cooking |
| Low Fat | Helps maintain a healthy weight | Sweet potatoes are naturally low in fat |
| Natural Sweetness | Provides flavor without added sugar | Pressure cooking brings out natural sweetness without losing nutrients |
From my experience, sweet potatoes cooked this way taste fresh, soft, and creamy while keeping their natural sweetness. Whether you mash them, bake them, or stuff them, they are an easy and healthy addition to any meal.
How to Prepare Sweet Potatoes for the Instant Pot
- Select firm sweet potatoes
- Choose sweet potatoes that feel firm and heavy for their size.
- Avoid any with cracks, bruises, or soft spots, as these can affect cooking and texture.
- Firm potatoes cook evenly and hold their shape better in the Instant Pot.
- Choose sweet potatoes that feel firm and heavy for their size.
- Wash thoroughly
- Rinse each sweet potato under running water to remove dirt, soil, or residues.
- Use a vegetable brush if needed, especially for unpeeled potatoes.
- Clean sweet potatoes ensure no grit ends up in your dish.
- Rinse each sweet potato under running water to remove dirt, soil, or residues.
- Peel if needed
- Peel the sweet potatoes if the recipe calls for smooth mashed potatoes or creamy dishes.
- Leaving the skin on adds extra fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- The skin also helps the sweet potatoes hold together if you plan to bake or stuff them.
- Peel the sweet potatoes if the recipe calls for smooth mashed potatoes or creamy dishes.
- Cut evenly
- For faster and more consistent cooking, cut sweet potatoes into even pieces.
- Cubes of 1–2 inches work best for medium-sized potatoes.
- Uneven pieces may cook at different rates, leaving some mushy and others undercooked.
- For faster and more consistent cooking, cut sweet potatoes into even pieces.
- Check size for cooking time
- Small sweet potatoes (4–6 oz): Cook 10–12 minutes under high pressure.
- Medium sweet potatoes (6–12 oz): Cook 15–20 minutes.
- Large sweet potatoes (12+ oz): Cook 25–30 minutes.
- Adjust timing depending on your Instant Pot model and the number of potatoes.
- Small sweet potatoes (4–6 oz): Cook 10–12 minutes under high pressure.
- Choose the right type
- Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes: Perfect for creamy mashed potatoes, casseroles, or sweet dishes.
- Japanese or white sweet potatoes: Ideal for soups, stews, or baked recipes where a firmer texture is preferred.
- Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes: Perfect for creamy mashed potatoes, casseroles, or sweet dishes.
- Consistency matters
- Cutting all pieces to a similar size ensures every potato cooks evenly.
- Proper preparation makes your sweet potatoes soft, creamy, and delicious every time.
- Small preparation steps save you time and prevent frustration after cooking.
- Cutting all pieces to a similar size ensures every potato cooks evenly.
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Cooking Times
Cooking sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot is fast, easy, and reliable once you know the right times. The size of the sweet potatoes is the main factor for cooking time. Using high pressure ensures they cook evenly and come out soft and creamy. You can choose between a natural pressure release or a quick release, depending on how soft you want your potatoes. In my experience, using natural release gives the best creamy texture for mashed or baked dishes, while quick release works well if you’re short on time.
Cooking Small Sweet Potatoes
- Small sweet potatoes (about 4–6 ounces each) cook quickly in 12–15 minutes on high pressure.
- After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 5–10 minutes to keep them tender.
- Small potatoes are perfect for simple sides or quick mashed dishes. I often use them when I need a fast, healthy dinner because they cook so fast and are always soft inside.
Cooking Medium Sweet Potatoes
- Medium sweet potatoes (6–12 ounces) need 18–20 minutes under high pressure.
- Letting them sit for a few minutes with natural pressure release gives them a smooth, creamy texture.
- Medium potatoes are my favorite for meal prep because they cook evenly, and I can mash, bake, or stuff them without any issues.
Cooking Large Sweet Potatoes
- Large sweet potatoes (over 12 ounces) take 25–30 minutes on high pressure.
- I always use natural pressure release for 10 minutes to avoid overcooking the edges while keeping the center soft.
- Large sweet potatoes are perfect when making stuffed dishes or recipes where you want a full, hearty potato.
Different Ways to Serve Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be served in many delicious ways. You can mash them, bake them, or stuff them with your favorite ingredients. Because they cook evenly and quickly, they work well in both simple weeknight meals and fancy dishes for special occasions. From creamy sides to hearty stuffed meals, there’s a way to enjoy them for every taste and occasion.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Mashed sweet potatoes are soft, creamy, and naturally sweet.
- Add butter, cinnamon, or a splash of cream for extra richness. I like adding a little cinnamon and nutmeg because it brings out the natural sweetness without being overpowering.
- This makes a perfect side for meats, roasted vegetables, or holiday dinners. The Instant Pot version is quicker than boiling or baking and keeps the potatoes smooth and fluffy.
Sweet Potato Casserole
- Sweet potato casserole is a layered dish often topped with nuts, marshmallows, or breadcrumbs.
- Using Instant Pot sweet potatoes for casseroles saves a lot of time because they cook faster and mash more easily than oven-baked potatoes.
- I sometimes prepare the sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot first, then layer them in a casserole dish with toppings and bake for 10–15 minutes. This gives a creamy, flavorful interior with a crunchy topping that everyone loves.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Stuffed sweet potatoes are perfect for a healthy and filling meal.
- You can fill them with black beans, avocado, cheese, shredded chicken, or other proteins. I often make a quick vegan version with black beans, corn, and avocado—it’s easy, colorful, and full of flavor.
- They are great for lunch, dinner, or meal prep because the filling can be customized to your taste, and the sweet potatoes hold everything perfectly without falling apart.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Sweet Potatoes
- Use similar-sized sweet potatoes
- Select potatoes that are close in size to ensure even cooking.
- Cutting into uniform cubes also helps prevent some pieces from being mushy while others stay undercooked.
- Select potatoes that are close in size to ensure even cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the Instant Pot
- Leave space between potatoes on the trivet so steam can circulate evenly.
- Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking or soggy spots.
- Leave space between potatoes on the trivet so steam can circulate evenly.
- Choose the right pressure release method
- Natural release: Best for medium to large potatoes, mashed potatoes, or casseroles; keeps potatoes soft and creamy.
- Quick release: Works for smaller potatoes or when you want tender potatoes fast, but may make them slightly firmer.
- Natural release: Best for medium to large potatoes, mashed potatoes, or casseroles; keeps potatoes soft and creamy.
- Add water and use a trivet
- Pour a small amount of water in the Instant Pot to generate steam.
- Place potatoes on a trivet to prevent them from sitting in water, which keeps them from getting soggy.
- Pour a small amount of water in the Instant Pot to generate steam.
- Prick large sweet potatoes if needed
- Lightly poke the skin with a fork so steam reaches the center faster.
- This helps large potatoes cook evenly without overcooking the edges.
- Lightly poke the skin with a fork so steam reaches the center faster.
- Check for doneness carefully
- Use a fork to test potatoes; they should be soft and easy to pierce.
- If undercooked, reseal and cook for a few more minutes under high pressure.
- Use a fork to test potatoes; they should be soft and easy to pierce.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How Long to Cook in a Pressure Cooker
The cooking time depends on the size of your sweet potatoes. Small ones (4–6 ounces) take about 12–15 minutes on high pressure. Medium sweet potatoes (6–12 ounces) need 18–20 minutes, and large ones (over 12 ounces) take 25–30 minutes. I have tried these times many times, and they always give soft and creamy potatoes. Using a natural pressure release helps make them extra smooth, which is great for mashed or stuffed recipes.
Can You Freeze Sweet Potatoes?
Yes! Cooked sweet potatoes freeze very well. You can mash them or leave them whole, then put them in airtight containers or freezer bags. I often cook extra and freeze the leftovers for quick meals later. When reheating, you can thaw them in the fridge or heat them straight in the Instant Pot or microwave. Both ways make them soft and tasty again.
Reheating Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Reheating sweet potatoes is easy and fast. For mashed potatoes, stirring in a little butter or water helps make them creamy again. Whole or cubed potatoes can be reheated in the microwave or in a steamer basket in the Instant Pot. I like using the steamer in the Instant Pot because it keeps the potatoes moist and soft, almost like freshly cooked.
Conclusion
Cooking sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot is fast and easy. You get soft, creamy, and tasty potatoes every time. It is quicker than baking or boiling and keeps more vitamins and nutrients. You can make mashed sweet potatoes, casseroles, or stuffed sweet potatoes easily with the Instant Pot. Sweet potatoes are very flexible. You can try different flavors, spices, or toppings to make them your way. I like adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or a little cheese and herbs, and it always tastes great. It works well for everyday meals or special dinners.
Using the tips and cooking times we shared makes it easy to get perfect sweet potatoes every time. They are great as a side dish, a main dish, or for meal prep. This Instant Pot sweet potato guide helps you make quick, healthy, and delicious meals that everyone can enjoy.