Perfect Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes Recipe

When you want to add a starch to your meal, you may first think of having a baked russet potato or mashed potatoes. While these are both wonderfully filling options, there's another commonly overlooked potato that is bursting at the seams with potential: sweet potatoes! Not only does the vibrant-colored root vegetable pair well with plenty of foods like chicken and fish, but it is also packed with nutrients and vitamins, making it a great alternative to other types of potatoes.

Recipe developer and wellness coach Miriam Hahn has found a way to make the perfect sweet potato, and your Instant Pot will do almost all of the work. While sweet potatoes are often baked or microwaved, Hahn's Instant Pot method yields a perfectly tender, healthy sweet potato with great ease. "You don't have to heat up your oven, and it is a much healthier way than using a microwave," Hahn explains of this easy recipe.

Not only are they easy to make, but since they're packed with carbs, they go well with some added fat — and who doesn't love a little butter with their sweet potato? If you're a fan of sweet potatoes but aren't a fan of the effort it takes to cook them, give this Instant Pot recipe a try for ultimate ease. 

Not only is this recipe incredibly easy to make, but the ingredients are super simple too. All you need are a couple of sweet potatoes, some water, and your trusty Instant Pot! Of course, plain sweet potatoes are a little bit bland, so you'll also want something to dress them up a little bit. You can go the simple route and simply use butter and salt. Or, you can take a sweet approach and add some brown sugar or honey. You could also prepare it like a loaded potato and add in beans, avocado, and other vegetables.

Before you begin cooking the sweet potatoes, you'll want to prep both them and your Instant Pot. First, use a fork to poke holes all over both of your sweet potatoes — this will help steam escape and, more importantly, help you avoid a sweet potato explosion. Next, take your Instant Pot's metal trivet and place it inside the pot, with the handles facing up. Then, place both of your sweet potatoes side by side inside the Instant Pot, right onto the metal trivet.

Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure that the nozzle is set to "sealing." Press the "pressure cook" button and set the timer for 20 minutes. Now, the size of your sweet potato will directly correlate to your cook time. So, if you are using small sweet potatoes, you'll cook for 15 to 20 minutes. For medium sweet potatoes, you'll cook for 20 to 25 minutes, and 25 to 30 minutes is appropriate for large ones.

In this recipe, Hahn uses medium sweet potatoes, which also happen to fit perfectly in the Instant Pot. Once the cook time for your sweet potatoes is up, carefully use a utensil to switch the nozzle from "sealing" to "venting" and stand back, as lots of hot steam will rush out. At this point, remove the Instant Pot's lid, and use a fork to make sure that your sweet potatoes are nice and tender.

If your sweet potatoes are done cooking, you can carefully remove them from the Instant Pot and serve them. Slice them open and add the toppings of your choice. If you're having sweet potatoes as a side dish, you can opt for simple toppings like butter and seasoning. If you're having these sweet potatoes as a meal, you can get creative with how you dress them up. Salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, beans, and avocado are all great options for stuffing. 

Considering how easy it is to make these sweet potatoes (or rather, sit back and watch the Instant Pot do all the work), it's safe to say that this recipe will become a go-to for quick and easy lunches and dinners!