Skip to main content
Epicurious

Super-Speedy Sweet Potatoes

If you can’t find 6-ounce potatoes or don’t have them on hand, you can simply use one 12-ounce potato. Add 1 minute to the microwave cook time if the potato isn’t tender after the 5 to 6 minutes, or an additional 10 to 15 minutes in the oven, and use all of the butter and brown sugar for the one large potato. A 12-ounce potato will make two servings, so the recommendation is to eat only half.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 2 servings

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes (about 6 ounces each), scrubbed
1 teaspoon light butter, divided (stick, not tub; I used Challenge Light)
4 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar, not packed, divided

Preparation

  1. Microwave Instructions

    Step 1

    Using a fork, poke each potato 5 times on all sides. Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish large enough for them to lie side by side. Cover the dish loosely with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Flip the potatoes, being careful not to burn yourself, and continue microwaving an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are tender through. Cut an opening about 4 inches long in the top of each potato and open it wide enough to spoon 1/2 teaspoon butter and 2 teaspoons brown sugar evenly into the center. Return the dish to the microwave and cook another 15 to 30 seconds, or until the butter and sugar are melted. Mash the butter and sugar mixture into the cooked potato to distribute. Serve immediately.

  2. Oven Instructions

    Step 2

    Preheat the oven to 400°F. Using a fork, poke each potato 5 times on all sides. Wrap each potato completely in aluminum foil. Bake them for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender through. Unwrap the potatoes. Cut an opening about 4 inches long in the top of each potato, and open it wide enough to spoon 1/2 teaspoon butter and 2 teaspoons brown sugar evenly into the center. Rewrap the potatoes and bake them for an additional 2 minutes, or until the butter and sugar are melted. Mash the butter and sugar mixture into the cooked potato to distribute. Serve immediately.

  3. nutrition information

    Step 3

    Each serving has:

    Step 4

    Calories: 162

    Step 5

    Protein: 3g

    Step 6

    Carbohydrates: 36g

    Step 7

    Fat: 1g

    Step 8

    Saturated Fat: <1g

    Step 9

    Cholesterol: 3mg

    Step 10

    Fiber: 5g

    Step 11

    Sodium: 109mg

Reprinted with permission from I Can't Believe It's Not Fattening! by Devin Alexander. Copyright © 2010 Devin Alexander. Published by Clarkson Potter Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Devin Alexander is the author of The Most Decadent Diet Ever, Fast Food Fix, and coauthor of The New York Times bestsellers The Biggest Loser Cookbook and The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook. She was a chef on NBC's The Biggest Loser and the host of Healthy Decadence on Discover Health and FitTV.
TagsSweet PotatoPotatoRoot VegetableVegetableSideDinnerGluten FreeVegetarianNut FreeQuickEasyWeeknight Meals5 Ingredients or FewerOven BakeMicrowaveCookbooks
Read More
Mango Sticky Rice
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Easy Egg Custard
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
Simple Hot Cocoa for One
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Béchamel Sauce
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Chicken Meatballs With Sesame Green Beans
Baking meatballs and green beans on two sides of the same sheet pan streamlines the cooking process for this saucy, savory dinner.
Dulce de Leche
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Sun Gold Tomato Pasta With Pistachio Gremolata
A garlicky pistachio topping takes this sunny summer pasta from good to great.