# Sweet potatoes cooking times

How long to cook sweet potatoes: **45 min to 1 h in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 35–45 min in an air fryer at 200°C, 6–8 min in the microwave and 10–12 min boiled**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/sweet-potatoes-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook sweet potatoes

Times are for 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 250 g each).

Sweet potatoes: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Whole, baked) | 45 min to 1 h | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Whole, on a lined tray (they leak sticky syrup). |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Wedges or fries) | 25–30 min | 220°C (200°C fan), 425°F, gas 7 | Toss in oil and spread out; turn halfway. A dusting of cornflour helps them crisp. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Whole) | 35–45 min | 200°C (400°F) | Whole, pricked and rubbed with oil. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Fries or wedges) | 12–15 min | 200°C (400°F) | Fries or wedges tossed in a teaspoon of oil; shake halfway. |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) (Whole) | 6–8 min | on full power | One medium, pricked; turn halfway. Add 3–4 minutes for each extra one. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Cubes) | 10–12 min | simmering in salted water | Peeled 3 cm cubes, for mash. |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) (Cubes) | 12–15 min | over simmering water | Peeled cubes. |
| [Slow cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/slow-cooker-cooking-times) (Whole) | 5–7 hours | on low | Whole, wrapped in foil, with no water. |

## Before you start

Scrub. Prick whole ones all over with a fork. For wedges or fries, leave the skin on and cut evenly.

## How to tell it’s done

Completely soft: a knife meets no resistance. Wedges are caramelised at the edges.

## Questions

### How long to cook sweet potatoes in the oven?

Whole, baked: 45 min to 1 h at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Whole, on a lined tray (they leak sticky syrup). Wedges or fries: 25–30 min at 220°C (200°C fan), 425°F, gas 7. Toss in oil and spread out; turn halfway. A dusting of cornflour helps them crisp.

### How long to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer?

Whole: 35–45 min at 200°C (400°F). Whole, pricked and rubbed with oil. Fries or wedges: 12–15 min at 200°C (400°F). Fries or wedges tossed in a teaspoon of oil; shake halfway.

### How long to microwave sweet potatoes?

Whole: 6–8 min on full power. One medium, pricked; turn halfway. Add 3–4 minutes for each extra one.

### How long to boil sweet potatoes?

Cubes: 10–12 min simmering in salted water. Peeled 3 cm cubes, for mash.

### How long to steam sweet potatoes?

Cubes: 12–15 min over simmering water. Peeled cubes.

### How long to cook sweet potatoes in a slow cooker?

Whole: 5–7 hours on low. Whole, wrapped in foil, with no water.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/