Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes: A Perfect Side Dish

Name: Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 6 Medium Size Sweet Potatoes; 1 cup Water; 1 Tbsp Olive Oil; 2 tsp Sea Salt; Toppings:; 3 Tbsp Butter; 1 tsp Salt; 1 tsp pepper

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Make Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes for a soft, fluffy, and perfectly cooked every time side dish recipe! This easy, hands-off recipe is perfect for the holidays or to serve for a quick weeknight dinner side and ready in 25 minutes!

Six Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes with slightly cracked skins rest inside the appliance, while a pair of metal tongs and a kitchen towel sit nearby on the counter.

Making Perfect Sweet Potatoes in the Instant Pot has been a game changer for my family and my go-to cooking method. They turn out perfectly fluffy every single time, and I love that I can make a batch while prepping the rest of dinner.

Whether I’m serving them with butter and cinnamon or topping them with BBQ chicken for a quick lunch, this method has become one of my kitchen staples. It’s the kind of simple recipe that makes healthy eating feel effortless. You can even use these sweet potatoes to make Sweet Potato Casserole.

Save oven space this holiday and pressure cook your sweet potatoes!

Ingredients

Six raw sweet potatoes are placed on a tiled surface, ready to become Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, surrounded by small bowls of olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, and a measuring cup of water.

Sweet Potatoes – Cook about the same size
Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice
Sea Salt – You can also use kosher salt

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Sweet Potatoes in the Instant Pot

Six whole sweet potatoes rest on a white cutting board, surrounded by a small bowl of salt, oil, an empty glass dish, fork, and striped towel—perfect for making Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes with minimal prep.

Step 1 – Wash the sweet potatoes. Dry and stab 6-8 times per sweet potato with a fork in various spots throughout the sweet potato.

Six whole, shiny sweet potatoes sit on a white cutting board, ready to become Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes. They’re surrounded by a small bowl of oil, salt, water in a measuring cup, a pastry brush, and a striped kitchen towel on a light surface.

Step 2 – Drizzle the olive oil over the sweet potatoes flesh and season with the sea salt.

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, topped with herbs and seasoning, are arranged in the inner pot, ready to cook. A striped kitchen towel and small bowls of spices sit nearby on a white countertop.

Step 3 – Place steamer basket in the instant pot and place the cup of water in the instant pot. Place the sweet potatoes in the instant pot on top of the trivet.

Six whole Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are arranged inside an Instant Pot on a kitchen table, surrounded by forks, plates, salt and pepper shakers, a stick of butter, and a striped cloth napkin.

Step 4 – Seal the instant pot with the lid and cook on high pressure for 15-22 minutes with a full natural release (usually takes around 10 minutes for the full natural release). Serve topped with the butter, salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Four Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes topped with butter and black pepper on a white rectangular plate, next to an Instant Pot, a stick of butter, salt and pepper shakers, forks, and a striped kitchen towel.

Review Pin Print

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings 6

Cuisine American

Course Side Dish

Calories 267

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Instructions

Wash the sweet potatoes. Dry and stab 6-8 times per sweet potato with a fork in various spots throughout the sweet potato.
Drizzle the olive oil over the sweet potatoes and season with the sea salt.
Place the trivet in the instant pot and place the water in the instant pot.
Place the sweet potatoes in the instant pot on top of the trivet.
Seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 15-22 minutes with a full natural release (usually takes around 10 minutes for the full natural release).
The cook time will depend on the size of the sweet potatoes. If you have smaller sweet potatoes cook for 15-17 minutes, medium size potatoes cook for 17-20 and larger potatoes cook for 2-22 minutes. Use a full natural release regardless of the size of the potatoes.
Serve topped with the butter, salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Recipe Tips

Cook Same Size – This ensures even cooking.
Sweet Peel – Leaving the skin on helps retain moisture and nutrients.
Test Doneness – A fork should slide in easily when fully cooked.
Meal Prep Tip – Cook a big batch and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Sweet Potato Topping Ideas

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – Add pulled pork, black beans, or chili for a hearty meal.
Sweet Topping – Top with butter, cinnamon, and maple syrup.
Savory Topping – Add sour cream, chives, and shredded cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 267kcal, Carbohydrates 46g, Protein 4g, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 4g, Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 1340mg, Potassium 762mg, Fiber 7g, Sugar 9g, Vitamin A 32240IU, Vitamin C 5mg, Calcium 70mg, Iron 1mg

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What to Serve With Sweet Potatoes

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long does it take to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Instant Pot?

The cook time will depend on the size of the sweet potatoes. If you have smaller sweet potatoes cook for 15-17 minutes, medium size potatoes cook for 17-20 and larger potatoes cook for 2-22 minutes. Use a full natural release regardless of the size of the potatoes.

Can I Cook Multiple Sweet Potatoes at Once?

Yes! Just ensure they’re roughly the same size for even cooking.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Can I Freeze Sweet Potatoes?

Yes! Allow the sweet potatoes to cool and then store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge when ready to reheat in the microwave or the oven.