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These Instant Pot roasted sweet potatoes are so delicious! Ready in less than 15 minutes!
Have you tried baking whole sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot? Instant Pot baked sweet potatoes turn out amazing, and it takes less than half the time of baking them in the oven! If you haven’t tried it yet, check out my Instant Pot baked whole sweet potatoes recipe. Once I mastered baked sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot, it was time to tackle my next favorite sweet potato recipe – roasted sweet potatoes!
Classic roasted sweet potatoes are baked in the oven. They are first tossed in oil, then layed out on a baking sheet and baked at a high oven temperature until soft and golden-brown. If you are looking for traditional roasted sweet potatoes recipe using your oven, check out my classic oven roasted sweet potatoes recipe.
So how do you mimic roasting in the Instant Pot? I was able to create a process to make roasted potatoes in the Instant Pot that takes less then half the time of roasting them in the oven. Instant Pot roasted sweet potatoes taste so close to the original roasted sweet potatoes, that when I served them at dinner for the first time, nobody even noticed that they weren’t my usual oven roasted ones :) Read on for the roasted potato Instant Pot instructions.
How To Make Roasted Sweet Potatoes In The Instant Pot
Step 1: Saute the sweet potato pieces
First put the sweet potato chunks in the Instant Pot with 2 tbsp of oil, and use the Instant Pot’s “Saute” function to saute the sweet potato pieces to make them golden-brown and bring out caramelized flavor (about 5 minutes).
Sauteing is the “secret step” in this recipe! If you don’t saute first and just pressure cook the sweet potato pieces, they’ll taste like boiled sweet potatoes, not roasted. Sauteing gives sweet potatoes golden-brown exterior and caramelized flavor!
If your Instant Pot doesn’t have a Saute function (most models do), you can pan-fry the sweet potato pieces in a regular frying pan, and then transfer them to Instant Pot. Also, if you are cooking more than 2 sweet potatoes, you’ll either have to saute them in batches, or use a frying pan to speed up the process.
Step 2: Pressure Cook Sweet Potatoes
Add 1/2 cup of water to the Instant Pot, close the lid, select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” option and pressure cook for 3 minutes on High pressure. When it finished cooking, quick release (QR) the steam, drain the roasted sweet potatoes and serve!
If you like Instant Pot roasted sweet potatoes, you will love these other easy recipes:
Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes – bake the whole sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot, super quick and easy!
Instant Pot Baked Apples – stuffed with cinnamon and raisins and ready in 10 minutes! This healthy dessert is a true find!
Instant Pot Corn– make a whole pot of perfect corn on the cob in the Instant Pot! This is the best method for making corn on the cob!
Instant Pot Easy Meatloaf– the quickest and easiest way to make meatloaf! So tender, juicy and delicious!
Instant Pot Beef Chili – just dump all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and get ready for a bowl of steaming hot chili! I love dump dinners!
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Instant Pot Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These Instant Pot roasted sweet potatoes take less then 15 minutes to make from start to finish! So easy to make and so delicious!
Prep Time2 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time12 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Instructions
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
Add the oil and sweet potatoes pieces to the Instant Pot and press "Saute" button and set the time for 10 minutes. Saute the sweet potatoes, flipping them after 3 minutes, until they are golden-brown (about 5 minutes). When done sauteing, press the "Cancel" button on the Instant Pot.
Add 1/2 cup water to the sweet potatoes, close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn the valve to a Sealing position. Press the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" button and set the cooking time to 3 minutes on High pressure. When the Instant Pot finishes cooking, quick release (QR) the steam.
Remove roasted sweet potatoes from the Instant Pot with a slotted spoon and serve.
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FAQs
I've found that sweet potatoes really need space for a truly roasted, crisped-edge result. Aim for about one inch of space between pieces. This leads to good, dry, hot airflow that will let the potato pieces' moisture evaporate while letting them dry and crisp up more.
Why do you soak sweet potatoes before roasting? ›
TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.
Is it better to steam or roast sweet potatoes? ›
Steaming was efficient and hands-off and didn't create a lot of messy pots and pans, and sweet potatoes cooked that way became moist and fluffy and could be easily pureed. (Roasted sweet potatoes might be great as an alt-fry, but they can also become dry and fibrous.)
Why are my roasted sweet potatoes mushy? ›
Typically when you roast sweet potatoes, they end up mushy, not crispy. That's because the high sugar content and moisture in the potato creates a softer result. In this case, they get their crispiness not by deep frying, but by sprinkling a secret ingredient over and baking them!
How do you keep roast potatoes crispy? ›
If you want to make this roast potatoes day before recipe and keep the potatoes crispy, ensure you put them in hot oil before baking them. This will help the potatoes stay crispy. If you're preparing roast potatoes in advance and find they have gone soggy in the fridge.
Why are my roast potatoes never crispy? ›
“You'll never get a crisp result if they are full of water.” In fact, Joe White, head chef at 10 Tib Lane in Manchester, even goes so far as to say “For the perfect roasties make sure to steam or boil them the day before and let them air dry overnight in the fridge.
What happens if you don't soak potatoes before roasting? ›
Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes.
Can you prep sweet potatoes ahead of time for roasting? ›
The choice between orange-fleshed or white-fleshed sweet potatoes is a matter of personal preference. Can I make this dish ahead of time for a holiday meal? Yes, you can absolutely prepare these sweet potatoes ahead of time by roasting them and making the butter.
Why do sweet potatoes go black when roasting? ›
One of the phenols, called chlorogenic acid, is the culprit that makes sweet potatoes, and sometimes, regular potatoes darken when they're cooked. The chlorogenic acid combines with iron ions in the potato and oxygen absorbed from the atmosphere and cooking water, creating the dark pigment.
What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes? ›
Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming. If we compare baking to boiling microscopically, boiling helps thin out the cell walls and gelatinize the starch, which may enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.
But a plain, medium sized roasted sweet potato is a high-fiber, low-carb, low sodium, 100 calorie powerhouse of good stuff like potassium and protein and a wallop of vitamin A.
Which is the best time to eat sweet potatoes? ›
~ Eating sweet potatoes for breakfast or lunch can provide you with sustained energy throughout the day. They can also be a great post-workout meal due to their balance of complex carbs and nutrients.
Does roasting sweet potatoes make them sweeter? ›
The longer and slower you cook a sweet potato, the more maltose is formed and the sweeter it will taste. So if you want a much less sweet potato try steaming it, or cut it into small pieces and roast on a higher heat.
Why are sweet potatoes so hard to get crispy? ›
A standard sweet potato has a lot of moisture, and its structure makes it behave less like a starchy potato, and more like a vegetable like squash or rutabaga. To make a sweet potato crispy, you have to choose the right sweet potato.
Is roasted sweet potato healthy? ›
Sweet potatoes are nutritious, packing a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese into each serving. They also have anticancer properties and may promote immune function and other health benefits.
Why are my sweet potatoes still hard after baking? ›
If the potato is still firm when squeezed, that means it needs to cook more. Baked sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat for 2 minutes in the microwave, at 400°F in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or at 400°F in the oven for 10 minutes.
Why won't my potatoes get crispy in oil? ›
A: This sure sounds a lot like potatoes that have been stored too long, in too cold of an environment before cooking. When potatoes are held below 41°F for too long a period, the starches convert to sugar and it changes the cooking chemistry.
Why are my potatoes soggy and not crispy? ›
Potatoes can react like sponges; too much oil can make your potatoes appear to be soggy. Try placing oil in a spray bottle or using an aerosol to apply the oil to the potatoes. Lastly, ensure that the potatoes are dry before you add the oil.
Why are my potato skins not crispy? ›
Skip rubbing your potatoes in oil and salt until the end of the cooking time. That's when they'll deliver the most texture and flavor benefit for the spuds. If you oil them up early, the skins may not turn crispy. The salt, too, can run off the potatoes in the heat.
