Baked Sweet Potatoes

Simple recipes are sometimes the most delicious, and this baked sweet potato recipe is no exception. Baking sweet potatoes in the oven is one of our favorite ways to love sweet potatoes. The starches are slowly converted into sugar, enhancing the potatoes’ natural sweetness and giving them a wonderful caramelized flavor that’s simply to die for. Filling and fluffy, baked sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish for any occasion and can even be a stand-alone meal when stuffed with your favorite baked potato toppings.

No matter how you choose to top your tater, you can rest assured that baked sweet potatoes will provide everyone at the table with ample wholesome nutrition. With their bright orange color, sweet potatoes have health benefits similar to the health benefits of carrots: They’re loaded with tons of beta-carotene and vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are also a great source of potassium and fiber. These are just some of the many reasons why sweet potatoes will forever be one of our favorite vegetables.

How to Bake Sweet Potatoes

This baked sweet potato recipe is the one we turn to most when we need a low-fuss vegetable dish. It’s made with just four ingredients and prepared entirely in the oven. We show how to bake sweet potatoes on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet instead of wrapping the potatoes individually. Similar to the secret to better baked potatoes, baking them uncovered allows the skin to crisp up nicely while the interiors become soft, tender and fluffy.

The recipe comes together in about 45 minutes, so baked sweet potatoes are a great option for weeknight dinners or any time you want a simple side dish to round out a more labor-intensive main course.

Baked Sweet Potato Ingredients

• Sweet potato: Yams and sweet potatoes are not the same vegetable, so don’t get them confused at the grocery store.
• Olive oil: Before baking, we like to rub the outside of each sweet potato with oil to make the skins satisfyingly crisp. Use a high-quality olive oil brand for added flavor.
• Salt and pepper: Sprinkles of salt and pepper season the sweet potatoes. The salt also draws out excess moisture, which results in a fluffier, sweeter-tasting potato.
• Optional toppings: The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to toppings. To keep things simple, go with butter, sour cream and chives. You can also use the toppings from your favorite baked potato recipes, or try one of our fun topping options in the Variations section below.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the sweet potatoes

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Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.

Using a fork, poke holes on all sides of the sweet potatoes.

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Arrange the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and coat them with oil, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Bake the sweet potatoes

Bake the sweet potatoes for 45 to 50 minutes or until fork-tender. Serve warm with the desired toppings.

Editor’s Tip: When learning how to bake sweet potatoes (or other types of potatoes), know that the cooking time can vary greatly depending on their size. This 45- to 50-minute time estimate is for medium-sized sweet potatoes. If your sweet potatoes are small or extra large, they may finish in less (or more) time. For best results, use the fork test to judge doneness.

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Baked Sweet Potato Variations

• Classic sweet potatoes: To make a classic sweet potato (similar to this top-rated sweet potato casserole), top each potato with a generous amount of brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. For a special treat, use honey cinnamon butter.
• Breakfast sweet potatoes: Yep, you can even start your day with a baked sweet potato! Load it up with scrambled eggs, bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of chives.
• Spicy sweet potatoes: For a south-of-the-border twist, top your baked sweet potato recipe with cooked and crumbled chorizo or seasoned taco meat. Add a spoonful of homemade salsa and more of your favorite taco fixings.
• Buffalo-style sweet potatoes: Have some leftover buffalo chicken dip on hand? Add it to the potato along with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onions.
• Avocado sweet potatoes: Add healthy fats and plant-based protein by adding mashed avocado, a spoonful of black bean and corn salsa, and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
• Thanksgiving stuffed sweet potatoes: Looking for new ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers? Stuff leftover turkey, cranberry sauce and even stuffing into your baked sweet potato. Finish it with a drizzle of gravy for a memorable Black Friday feast.
• Curried sweet potatoes: If you love sweet potato curry, try making a stuffed sweet potato version. Instant Pot chicken curry or slow-cooked vegetable curry would taste divine over a tender baked sweet potato recipe.

How to Store Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes should be kept refrigerated in an airtight food storage container.

How long do baked sweet potatoes last?

Baked sweet potatoes may be refrigerated for three to four days. You can even freeze them for up to six months. Let the potato cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How do you reheat baked sweet potatoes?

Baked sweet potatoes may be warmed in the oven or microwave, just as you would reheat a baked potato. To reheat them in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°, then bake until the skin is crisp and the sweet potatoes are heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. To microwave, warm on a microwave-safe plate in 30-second intervals until heated through.

Baked Sweet Potato Tips

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Should you wrap sweet potatoes in foil before baking?

We don’t recommend wrapping sweet potatoes in foil before breaking. Doing so will cause the sweet potato skin to become soggy and slimy due to moisture trapped inside the foil. Unwrapped sweet potatoes are fluffy inside with perfectly crisp, lightly caramelized skin.

What is the right internal temperature of a baked sweet potato?

The ideal internal temperature of baked sweet potatoes is somewhere between 205° and 212° as measured by an instant-read thermometer. At that point, the pectin (which holds the cellular structure of the potatoes together) begins to break down, causing the flesh of the sweet potatoes to soften and release moisture. This process makes the sweet potatoes wonderfully creamy and makes the sugars more concentrated.

Do you need to poke holes in a sweet potato before baking?

When learning how to bake a sweet potato, it’s important to poke sweet potatoes with a fork before baking them. The holes create steam vents for moisture to escape. That way, the skins can crisp up and the potatoes will cook properly. Additionally, poking holes prevents the (very small) risk of the potatoes exploding in the oven.

How can you serve baked sweet potatoes for a crowd?

One of our favorite ways to serve baked sweet potatoes is as a DIY baked potato bar—similar to a sandwich bar or taco board. Bake up a few dozen taters and keep them warm in a 200° oven for up to two hours. Complete the spread with an array of sweet and savory toppings, and allow your guests to stuff their sweet potatoes as desired.

What can you serve with baked sweet potatoes?

Baked sweet potatoes can be served either as a main or as a side dish with just about any meal. Serve them as a side dish alongside homestyle entrees like meat loaf, roasted chicken or stuffed pork loin. If you’re enjoying your loaded baked sweet potato as a main course, serve it with your favorite side salad recipe.