Are you about to throw away the baked sweet potatoes from your fridge? Do not do that! Just learn how to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave and enjoy them as a side dish.
Whether it’s mashed, baked, or sweet potato chips, I have always loved them. But for some reason, I could never reheat them properly.
The mashed sweet potatoes would turn thick and the chips would get burned in the oven. So, I started experimenting with my microwave and tried different power settings and time intervals.
To my surprise, after a few missed trials, the sweet potatoes became easier to reheat in the microwave. And to save you all from this long experimenting process.
This blog will help you reheat baked and mashed sweet potatoes and sweet potato chips.
So, let’s get started.
Can you reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave?
Yes, you can reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave. And it is one of the easiest ways to reheat any type of sweet potato. It takes less time to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave than any other method.
Moreover, repeating the sweet potatoes in the microwave is a hassle-free job. You will have fewer dishes to clean and fewer ingredients to use.
Lastly, sweet potatoes need to reach up to 165 °F to properly reheat. And an average microwave gets up to 212 °F. So, it will not be a problem to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave.
How do you reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave?
Different types of sweet potatoes are reheated differently in the microwave. Following are the steps to reheat baked sweet potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, and sweet potato fries.
How to reheat baked sweet potatoes?
To reheat baked sweet potatoes in the microwave:
- Take out the sweet potatoes from the refrigerator and put them on the counter till they are at room temperature.
- Now cut each sweet potato into two halves to ensure fast reheating.
- Cover each half with a damp paper towel.
- Put the 2 halves of sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave and rotate it for 2-3 minutes on a 100% power setting.
Don’t be afraid of this multiple-step process. Because reheating baked sweet potatoes is simple.
Ensure you cover the sweet potatoes with a wet paper towel while reheating. The moisture from the damp paper towel keeps the sweet potatoes moist and prevents them from drying out.
Also, do not forget to cut the sweet potato in half before reheating. A whole sweet potato is difficult to reheat evenly.
Lastly, if the baked sweet potato has not reheated after 3 minutes, feel free to microwave it for 30-second intervals until it is done.
How to reheat mashed sweet potatoes in the microwave?
To reheat mashed sweet potatoes in the microwave:
- Transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to a microwave-safe casserole bowl.
- Ensure the mashed potatoes are spread evenly.
- Cover the casserole with the lid.
- Nuke the mashed sweet potatoes for 1 minute.
- Take out the casserole and stir the mashed potatoes.
- Nuke it for another 1 minute.
- Repeat the process till the mashed sweet potatoes are done microwaving.
And here’s a quick tip for you. If the mashed sweet potatoes feel thick, add a tablespoon of butter or a splash of milk to better the consistency.
How to reheat sweet potato fries in the microwave?
To reheat the sweet potato fries in the microwave:
- Preheat a microwave-safe browning tray in the microwave.
- Then place sweet potato fries on the browning tray. Ensure there are spaces between each fry.
- Now nuke the sweet potato fries for 3 minutes.
The process looks simple, right? Well, it is not.
My secret to perfectly reheating sweet potato chips in the oven is arranging them carefully on the tray. Leaving spaces between the chips allows them to reheat from all sides equally.
Another thing to never forget is preheating the browning tray. Because by preheating the tray, you allow the chips to reheat from the bottom without needing to flip them over.
Is it safe to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave as long as you follow the proper instructions and store them correctly.
You already know how to reheat mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato chips, and baked sweet potatoes. But how do you store sweet potatoes?
When storing sweet potatoes, keep in mind that throwing the cooked sweet potatoes in the freezer will turn them mushy. The best way to store sweet potatoes is in an airtight container in the fridge. The low temperature prevents bacterial growth and keeps the sweet potatoes safe for consumption.
Moreover, you can keep the cooked sweet potatoes in the fridge for only 2-3 days. After that, it is time to throw them away and cook a new one.
Also, store them in the fridge only after completely cooling them down.
Do not put hot sweet potatoes in the freezer as it can cause them to turn mushy.
If the sweet potatoes are not appropriately stored and then reheated, it can lead to bacterial growth. And you might even end up getting food poisoning.
How long does it take to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave?
The time it takes to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave depends on the type and amount of sweet potato. But in general sweet potatoes take anywhere from 2 minutes to 3 minutes to reheat in the microwave.
One baked or roasted sweet potato takes around 3 minutes to reheat at 100% power in the microwave. If you want to microwave more than one sweet potato, it can take up to 5-10 minutes.
Similarly, mashed sweet potatoes take 2 x 1-minute nukes to reheat in the microwave properly. Meanwhile, one tray of sweet potato chips takes a 1 x 3-minute nuke to reheat in the microwave.
Keep in mind that different wattage microwaves also affect the time it takes to reheat sweet potatoes. For example, a low-wattage microwave would take 4-5 minutes to reheat roasted or baked sweet potatoes.
How do you know when sweet potatoes are done reheating in the microwave?
When the sweet potatoes are done reheating in the microwave, the most obvious sign would be their internal temperature. Once the internal temperature of the sweet potatoes reaches 165 °F, they are reheated.
Unlike the reheating process, which is different for different types of sweet potatoes, the step to check their doneness is the same. All you will need is a food-grade thermometer. And once the microwaving period is over, check the temperature.
If you do not have a food-grade thermometer, you can also touch the sweet potatoes to check their temperature. However, this method is risky and can burn your fingertips as well.
Tips to Reheat Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave
The process of reheating sweet potatoes in the microwave seems easy. However, it is much more complex than you think. And even one small mistake can ruin the sweet potatoes.
Therefore, here are some tips for perfectly microwaving sweet potatoes in the microwave.
- If you are reheating baked or roasted sweet potatoes, cut them in halves. It will ensure the sweet potatoes reheat evenly.
- Always cover the baked sweet potato halves with a wet paper towel to prevent overheating or drying out.
- Be careful when removing the paper towel from the hot reheated sweet potatoes. If you are not careful, it can quickly burn your fingertips.
- When microwaving mashed sweet potatoes, spread them evenly in the microwave-safe casserole for even reheating.
- While reheating the sweet potato chips, ensure the chips are placed at a distance. The space between them ensures that sweet potatoes reheat from every angle.
- If mashed sweet potatoes turn thick after reheating, add a splash of milk or a tablespoon of butter to revive its cloudy consistency.
Final Words
Congratulations! You have finally learned how to reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave. Different sweet potatoes, e.g., baked, mashed, chips, etc., are reheated differently. So, follow the correct method to reheat sweet potatoes every time perfectly.