Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes - perfect fluffy sweet potatoes cooked in a pressure cooker. Use my shortcut to make smaller portions, perfect for children!
I love to serve these sweet potatoes topped with Instant Pot Beef Chili or with the Best Instant Pot Pulled Pork, or simply with Honey Butter.
One of my favorite side dishes to make in the Instant Pot are baked potatoes. My love for potatoes definitely includes sweet ones. Fluffy baked sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar are pure comfort food in my book. Since Fall officially starts tomorrow, sweet potatoes are going to be showing up in our menu more often, and as the true star in my Best Sweet Potato Casserole on our Thanksgiving menu. Today, I want to show you how to cook sweet potatoes in your Instant Pot.
These Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are delicious topped with butter and brown sugar. You can also add mini marshmallows and pop the potatoes under a broiler for an extra treat! Scoop the potato flesh and use to make mashed sweet potatoes, casserole, add to soups or pack and freeze for later.
How to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot?
- Start by prepping potatoes: wash and scrub well. Cut stringy ends if needed. Pierce potatoes with a fork in several places. It helps the steam escape during cooking.
- Add water to your Instant Pot and place trivet in the insert. Arrange potatoes on the trivet. Close the lid and switch the valve to "sealing" position. Press "manual" or "pressure cook" setting and set timer to 16 to 20 minutes for medium potatoes OR 26 to 30 minutes for large potatoes.
- Let the pressure cooker release the pressure naturally. It takes about 12 minutes.
Notice that my sweet potatoes are actually quite big. I shop at Aldi's and they often have large sweet potatoes in bunches, but if you can select each one - pay attention to the size. Mine were 8" in circumference. I would consider those large size potatoes. I set the timer to 28 minutes and the potatoes were melt-in-your-mouth fluffy and the skin was peeling off easily.
Best tips:
- use same size potatoes
- pierce with a fork to let the steam escape during cooking and prevent bursting
- let the pressure release naturally for fluffy and flavorful potatoes
- use my shortcut below to make smaller portions or to cook potatoes in half the time
How to serve them?
Aside from serving them as a vegetable side dish, baked sweet potatoes are perfect for stuffing with pulled pork, BBQ chicken, or even chili. You can also scoop the cooked flesh out, discard the skin, and use mash the potatoes for use in casseroles or soups. It's also a great way to make baby food for little ones!
Can I cook them in half the time?
When I started cooking sweet potatoes in my Instant Pot, I would cut them in half lengthwise and cook that way. It's a perfect portion if you want just half of the potato or for children. Everything depends on the size of your potatoes, of course, so read through the recommendations above. While a whole potato that is 8" in circumference cooks in 28 minutes, if you cut it in half it will cook in 14 minutes. It's a definite time-saver!!
More Instant Pot side dish recipes:
Check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance!
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 sweet potatoes
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare potatoes for cooking: wash and scrub to clean. Pierce with fork in several places.
- Make sure the stainless steel insert is in your IP. Add 1 cup of water to insert and set the trivet inside.
- Arrange potatoes on trivet. Close the lid and set valve to "sealing" position.
- Press "manual" or "pressure cook" setting and set timer to: 16 to 20 minutes for potatoes that are 6" in circumference OR 26 to 30 minutes for potatoes that are 8" in circumference or more (see note how to measure).
- The IP will beep when ready and it will start the cooking process. When the timer is done, let the pressure cooker release the pressure naturally. It will take about 12 minutes.
- Carefully open the lid away from your face and remove potatoes from the Instant Pot.
- Serve.
Debbie says
I received an 6qt Instant Pot for Christmas from our son and his family this year. I am so excite to use it. Sweet Potatoes are going to be the first thing that I make in it.
Anna says
Yay! Welcome to the club! I hope you love the potatoes, Debbie!
Aimee Haney says
Why place your IP on a cutting board while it is cooking? I have used mine many, many times and you are the first to say this. I’m so glad I found you! Your recipes and your step by step instructions make them a joy to use. I no longer “fear” using my IP because failure is not an option-thank you...
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Aimee! I remember reading it somewhere when I got my first IP that it is recommended to keep it on a board because there were instances when people's countertops cracked. If it can damage the countertop, I would rather keep in on a board. I hope this helps! I am so glad you find my recipes helpful. If there is a recipe you are looking for or have any questions about, just let me know! I am always happy to help!
Sharon says
Could I cook a couple of pork chops at the same time in the instant pot?
Anna says
Hi Sharon! Pork chops have different cooking time and they will be overcooked if you pressure cook them with the potatoes.
Lesley says
Brilliant & lovely. Sound like great. Love this. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Lesley!
Tanya Harris says
This sounds right up my alley with my love for sweet potatoes. Pinning for later!
Des says
Now this is a loaded potato!
Jamielyn says
So easy and makes the perfect sweet potato! I just love my instant pot so much!
Abeer says
This is the easiest and the tastiest side dish I make. This sweet potatoes look incredible!
Melanie Bauer says
Oh yum! Love everything about this recipe, looks incredible and so easy to make!
Allison says
Great idea to use the Instant Pot - they usually take forever in the oven. I can't wait to try this!
Kimberly says
Oh yum, those are absolutely perfect and I LOVE sweet potatoes!