Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are pressure cooked perfectly for a moist, fluffy, delicious “baked” sweet potato every time. Pressure Cooking sweet potatoes is so fast and easy, you can serve them any time, not just for holidays.

Delicious Sweet Potatoes

As you can tell by all of our sweet potato recipes, we love sweet potatoes around here, whether they are baked, mashed, steamed, slow cooked, or pressure cooked.

Why do we love sweet potatoes? First, we love the flavor. That is the primary reason. They taste delicious, have a wonderful, fluffy texture when perfectly cooked, and we can feel good about eating them because they are good for you. No guilt! They are great to serve at holidays because so many people with restricted diets can eat them because sweet potatoes are naturally gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, sugar-free, and dairy free.

What Is The Difference Between Sweet Potatoes And Yams?

According to Bon Appetit, in most U.S. grocery stores, you will find that there is no difference between yams and sweet potatoes. Back in the 1930’s, Louisiana sweet potato growers called their sweet potatoes yams just to differentiate their sweet potatoes from others. However, they were really sweet potatoes.

However, in reality, real yams, are completely different than sweet potatoes. They are a different root vegetable with bumpy brown skin and they look like tree trunks. They are more similar to a white potato than a sweet potato.

For this recipe you will need sweet potatoes and not yams.

Why Cook Sweet Potatoes In The Instant Pot

When it comes to cooking sweet potatoes, you have many options, such as baking sweet potatoes in the oven, or boiling them on top of the stove. However, I recommend pressure cooking sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot because it is so easy and cooks much faster than baking them in the oven, and you don’t have to peel and cut them first like you do when you boil them.

To Summarize, I like to cook Sweet Potatoes in the Instant pot because:

Pressure Cooking cooks the potatoes faster than in the oven.
The Sweet Potatoes are perfectly cooked.
No peeling, slicing, or cutting potatoes is required.
Set it and forget it.

What Do I Need To Make Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. I use a 6-quart Instant Pot 60Duo (Amazon.com affiliate link.) However, there are many models of this programmable pressure cooker.
Trivet. This trivet or steam rack should come with the Instant Pot. However, if it is lost and you need a replacement, you can get one here. (Amazon.com affiliate link.)
Sweet Potatoes. Yes, you need sweet potatoes. Obviously, you can’t have Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes without sweet potatoes.
Water. Is water really needed? YES, YES, YES!!! Water is MANDATORY in this Instant Pot Sweet Potato Recipe because the Instant Pot will not come up to pressure without water, or some other type of thin liquid. Water is required for pressure cooking.

How To Cook Sweet Potatoes In The Instant Pot

Pour 1 cup of water into the Inner Liner Pot of the Instant Pot.

Place the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot inside the Inner Liner Pot of the Instant Pot with the “feet” facing down and the Handles up. (This keeps the sweet potatoes elevated above the water, and makes it easier to remove the sweet potatoes after pressure cooking by using the handles to lift them out.)

Place the sweet potatoes on the trivet inside the inner liner pot of the Instant Pot. if you need to, you can stack sweet potatoes on top of each other.

Close The Lid of the Instant Pot and move the Pressure Release Valve to the SEALING position. (This is very important because the Instant Pot won’t come to pressure without doing that.)

Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button (depending on model) and then press + or – to select the appropriate time for pressure cooking. Be sure it is set to HIGH PRESSURE. See the infographic below to help determine the length of time to pressure cook the sweet potatoes.

How Long To Cook Sweet Potatoes In An Instant Pot

The width of the sweet potato will help you to determine how long to pressure cook the sweet potato. A smaller sweet potato with a 2-inch width will only require about 15 minutes to pressure cook, whereas a 4-inch width sweet potato may take as much as 35 minutes. See the infographic below for the best time for your specific sweet potato.
Please note that, in addition to the pressure cooking time, the Instant Pot requires time to come up to pressure, usually about 10 minutes, but it depends on the recipe. This time would be like the equivalent of the preheat time required by an oven.
After the Instant Pot has finished pressure cooking, let it do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR) for 10 minutes. Then do a quick release by using a long handled spoon to move the Pressure Release Valve from the Sealing to the VENTING position. This will release any remaining pressure.
Wait until all the pressure has been released and the pin drops and then open the lid and remove the potatoes.

What To Serve With Sweet Potatoes

Serve the sweet potatoes by slicing them open and spreading butter on them and sprinkling them with salt. In addition, try serving them as a side dish to some of these amazing recipes.

Roast Turkey – brined with an apple cider brine, this Roast Turkey makes an excellent holiday main course.
Oven Roasted Chicken – whether for a Sunday supper or holiday dinner, this roast chicken will be a hit with the family.
Crock Pot Chuck Roast – A delicious yet easy, set it and forget it Pot Roast that is a favorite main course.
Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham – A delicious go-to Holiday main dish that is sweet, tender, and juicy, and super easy to make in the slow cooker.
Southern Squash Casserole – A comforting side dish casserole, often served during the holidays, with tender, cooked yellow summer squash, onions, sour cream, and cheddar cheese topped with crushed buttery crackers.
Cajun Herb Prime Rib – Perfect for a Christmas dinner or other special occasion. It pairs well with sweet potatoes.
Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad – Serve as a salad or side dish with sweet potatoes for a vegetarian meal.

Tips For Perfect Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Try to buy sweet potatoes that are roughly the same size and width so they all cook in the same amount of time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need To Peel Sweet Potatoes? No. You do not need to peel the sweet potatoes for this recipe. You can cook the sweet potatoes whole.
Do I Need To Poke Holes In The Sweet Potatoes? No, it is not necessary to poke holes in the sweet potatoes before pressure cooking.
Can I Eat Sweet Potato Skins? Yes. The sweet potato skins are edible. No worries, go ahead and eat them if you wish.
How Do I Store Sweet Potatoes? Before cooking, store the sweet potatoes at room temperature in a dry place, away from a range or oven. After cooking, store in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.
Are Sweet Potatoes Good For You? Yes, According to Medical News Today, the vitamins and minerals in Sweet Potatoes may help improve insulin sensitivity in those with diabetes, help people maintain a normal blood pressure level, reduce the risk of cancer, reduce inflammation, boost immunity and much more.
Can I Mash The Sweet Potatoes? Yes, after the potatoes are cooked, slice the potatoes open, and scoop out the filling into a bowl. Then mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or hand mixer.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows – Make these Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes first, and then slice the potatoes open and scoop out the sweet potato filling into a bowl and mash, and then you can use them in this Sweet Potato Casserole.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips – These crispy, spicy, and healthy Sweet Potato Chips and make a wholesome snack recipe that you can feel good about serving to your family.
Sweet Potato Toast – Topped with bacon, apples, onions and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, this Sweet Potato Toast makes a delicious savory breakfast.
Chipotle Sweet Potato Waffle Fries – These Sweet Potato Fries add a Mexican twist with the addition of chipotle chile powder and queso fresco.
Orange Guajillo Glazed Sweet Potatoes – These Orange Guajillo Glazed Sweet Potatoes will add a little spice and citrusy sweetness to your traditional sweet potato side dish.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – These are the best creamy, buttery and fluffy mashed potatoes and the easiest to make.
Instant Pot Macaroni And Cheese – Creamy, cheesy, and super easy to make in the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes– Southern comfort food at its best.
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce – The easiest and most delicious cranberry sauce you will ever make.
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes – Delicious Scalloped Potatoes that are super fast to make.
Instant Pot Acorn Squash – Perfect for a fall or holiday dinner.
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs – Delicious chicken thighs that are so quick and easy to make you can serve them any time.

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Recipe

One cooked sweet potato with button on a white plate with a green napkin and fall leaves in the background.

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5 from 2 votes

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are fast and easy, pressure cooked perfectly for a moist, fluffy, delicious sweet potato thatyou can serve them any time.

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, IP Sweet Potatoes, Pressure Cooker Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes

Cook Time 15

Pressurization 20

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 112kcal

Author Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Equipment

6-Quart Instant Pot Duo60 from Amazon.com (affiliate link)

Ingredients

1 cup water
4 sweet potatoes (See note below)

Instructions

Pour 1 cup of water in the inner liner pot of the Instant Pot.
Place the trivet with the "feet" down and the handles up in the Instant Pot.
Place the sweet potatoes on the trivet.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn to lock the lid. Move the Pressure release valve to the SEALING position.
Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button (depending on model) and then press the + or - buttons to adjust the time to the appropriate time. Make sure it is set to HIGH PRESSURE. (See note below.) Sweet potatoes with 2"-width, set to 15 minutes, 3" width set to 20 - 25 minutes, and 4" width set to 30 or 35 minutes.

Notes

Water is REQUIRED. Pressure cooking requires water to cook the food. Do NOT leave out the water.
Sweet Potatoes. Try to get sweet potatoes that are equal width and size. That way they will all finish cooking at the same time.
The Pressure Cooking time will vary depending on the width of the sweet potatoes. Skinner sweet potatoes (2-inch width) cook faster, like in 15 minutes, but fatter sweet potatoes (4 inches) may take 35 minutes. If you have gigantic potatoes with a width of over 4 inches, it is possible that they could take longer to pressure cook. I recommend using potatoes with a 2 - 3 inch width in this recipe. See the infographic within the blog post for an easy reminder.
Below are some recipes that pair well with these Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes.
- Roast Turkey - brined with an apple cider brine, this Roast Turkey makes an excellent holiday main course.
- Oven Roasted Chicken - whether for a Sunday supper or holiday dinner, this roast chicken will be a hit with the family.
- Crock Pot Chuck Roast - A delicious yet easy, set it and forget it Pot Roast that is a favorite main course.
- Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham - A delicious go-to Holiday main dish that is sweet, tender, and juicy, and super easy to make in the slow cooker.
- Cajun Herb Prime Rib - Perfect for a Christmas dinner or other special occasion. It pairs well with sweet potatoes.
- Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad - Serve as a salad or side dish with the sweet potatoes for a vegetarian meal.

Nutrition