How to Bake a Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are easy to bake and be enjoyed any number of ways, whether it’s with butter and cinnamon or leftover taco ingredients.

No matter how you top them, in this post, you’ll learn how to bake sweet potatoes with crispy caramelized skins and fluffy centers every time.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

These are a staple in my house and one of the easiest side dishes to prepare. Cooking them in the oven is an easy way to add a delicious caramelized flavor and achieve the soft, pillowy centers we all love to top with butter, cinnamon, sugar, cheese- you get the idea.

And before we get started, you’ll be glad to know the cooking instructions and tips below will work for yams and other varieties, including Japanese and purple sweet potatoes.

How to Roast a Sweet Potato in the Oven

Grab a fork, a large baking sheet, your sweet potatoes, and let’s get started.

1. Prep
   Preheat the oven to 425F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2. Wash
   Gently give the sweet potatoes a good scrub with warm water. This will remove any dirt and debris from the skin. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
3. Prick
   Using a fork, prick the skin of each potato, and rub with olive oil.
4. Bake
   Place the potatoes onto the baking sheet and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the center is cooked through and easily pierced through with a fork.
5. Serve
   Remove the potatoes from the oven and allow to cook down for 5 minutes before slicing, opening, and loading up with your favorite toppings.

Baked sweet potatoes are a healthy starch for meal prep that you can pop in the oven while preparing the rest of your meal. They last up to 4 days in the refrigerator, and their savory-sweet flavor makes a perfect pair with cooked protein. Is there anything these potatoes can’t do?

More on what to serve with these delicious gems later, but first, let’s address some of the most frequently asked baked potato questions below.

More Ways to Cook a Sweet Potato
Instant Pot | Microwave | Crockpot | Air Fryer

Should You Wrap Sweet Potatoes in Foil?

While wrapping potatoes with foil is a mess-free way to bake them, I’ve found it “steams” the potato and leaves the skin a little soggy. If you are going for baked sweet potatoes with crispy skin and golden, caramelized edges, leave them unwrapped and unsalted.

How Long to Bake a Sweet Potato

The amount of time a sweet potato needs to bake depends on its size. The larger the sweet potato, the longer it takes, reference the chart below for approximate cooking times.

Width	Time
3 inches	25 minutes
4 inches	30 minutes
5 inches	45 minutes
6 inches	60 minutes

Knowing When They’re Done

Test if a sweet potato is cooked, by inserting a knife or fork through the center. If there is no resistance, the sweet potato done. If it’s still a little hard, give the potato a few more minutes before checking again.

Baked Sweet Potato Recipes

Okay, now that you know how to cook sweet potatoes perfectly, it’s time to top them. Below, I’ve shared a video and list of epic sweet and savory baked potato topping ideas that will have you making these on repeat: 

• Buffalo Chicken Loaded Sweet Potatoes
• Taco Loaded Sweet Potatoes
• Almond butter + blueberries
• Broccoli + cheddar cheese
• Sliced avocado + fried egg

More yummy combinations in the video below:

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