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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
While they are a traditional choice for Thanksgiving, they are healthy and delicious and should be eaten all year long. 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.
Why do you soak sweet potatoes before roasting? ›
Some recipes for homemade sweet potato fries ask you to soak the fries before cooking. The theory is that soaking draws out starch from inside the potatoes, helping them crisp up.
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 soggy? ›
The main reasons for soggy sweet potato wedges are: overcrowding the baking sheet, not tossing in enough oil, having too thick sized wedges, and not roasting at a high enough heat.
Why does vinegar make potatoes crispy? ›
When a small amount of vinegar is added to the soaking water before frying, it can help impart a tangy flavor to the fries without making them taste overly vinegary. The acid in the vinegar can also help to slightly break down the surface of the potatoes, aiding in the development of a crispier texture during frying.
Why are sweet potatoes soggy in air fryer? ›
There are two things that can combat soggy sweet potato fries in the air fryer. First, remove as much moisture from the surface of the potatoes as possible. A quick pat all over the cut potatoes with a paper towel can help with that. Secondly, leave adequate space between each of the fries while air frying.
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.
Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›
There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.
Should you scrub sweet potatoes before baking? ›
While the oven comes to temperature, scrub your sweet potato with a vegetable brush or designated sponge (or, worst case scenario, a paper towel). Remember, these tubers were ripped from the ground, after which they spent a fair amount of time hanging out in transit and in your grocery store. They're dirty!
What type of sweet potato is best for roasting? ›
Orange | Covington. Flavor: when roasted, this variety is slightly sweet and rich and can stand up to high heat and crisp up well.
If you're boiling, make sure to cut your sweet potatoes into equally sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. (Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.)
What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes? ›
The healthiest ways to prepare sweet potatoes are to steam or boil them. You can also bake, roast, or fry sweet potatoes, but you should take care to limit these preparation methods, which will cause the sugars to break down in different ways and often include extra recipe ingredients like oil, butter, or sugar.
Why don't my sweet potatoes go crispy? ›
If you don't evenly space your sweet potatoes so they aren't touching, they will not turn out as well. They need the air flow between them to maximize crisp, and any surfaces that are touching won't get the air they need. Halfway through the cook time, take a minute or two and flip them all with tongs.
Do sweet potatoes get softer the longer you cook them? ›
How Long to Roast Sweet Potatoes. This recipe produces perfectly roasted sweet potatoes after about 30 minutes in an oven preheated to 425 degrees F. If you like your roasted sweet potatoes very soft, you might want to cook them a tad longer.
Why are roasted sweet potatoes so good? ›
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.
Why do my roast potatoes not go crispy? ›
First things first, it's important to not overcrowd the tray, with Curtis saying: “you can't put too many potatoes in the tray because they will steam. You want them to be dry, and that's how you get them crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.”
Why are my oven roasted potatoes soggy? ›
Roasted potatoes can become soggy if the water content in the potato isn't fully cooked. Different potatoes have different water content percentages. Also, be mindful of the oil. Potatoes can react like sponges; too much oil can make your potatoes appear to be soggy.
Why are my baked sweet potatoes not getting soft? ›
Bake sweet potatoes at 400º F.
This temperature is hot enough that they won't take too long, but cooks them slow enough to really soften and sweeten the flesh. High heat, such as baking them at 425º, will result in potatoes that soften but do not get as creamy as my lower temperature method.
Why are my roasted potatoes not getting soft? ›
Tips For Roasted Potatoes
To make them soft and fluffy on the inside, but brown and crunchy on the outside there are three things you need to do. You need to pre-boil the potatoes. This is what gives that super-soft inside. Once you drain them, bash them around a bit.
