This easy recipe for the perfect baked sweet potatoes in the oven is the best side dish for any meal. The sweet potatoes are cooked on a cast iron skillet and then served with butter, salt, and pepper.
Some of the best sweet potato recipes include sweet potato fries, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and skillet-fried sweet potatoes. There are many different ways to cook sweet potatoes, but my favorite method is to bake them in the oven.
Making the best baked sweet potatoes is easier than you think! Cooking sweet potatoes in the oven allows you to quickly and easily make up the perfectly baked sweet potato!
Sweet potatoes are an excellent addition to your diet as they are high in fiber for optimal digestion. They are abundant in iron, calcium, vitamin B, vitamin C, and beta carotene – the powerful antioxidant that gives the potato its orange hue.
Here is how to make the perfect baked sweet potato in the oven!
How Long to Bake a Sweet Potato
The cooking time for a sweet potato depends on its size; a small potato may take as little as 25 minutes, while a larger sweet potato can take up to an hour.
The best temperature to bake sweet potatoes is 450 degrees, the sweet potatoes turn out perfect! The sweet potatoes bake more quickly and are incredibly creamy with a fluffy interior.
Ingredients for Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes
For the perfect baked sweet potatoes, you only need a few simple ingredients:
- Sweet Potatoes: nutritious and delicious, these root vegetables with tapered ends normally have a reddish-orange skin. However, they can come in a variety of colors ranging from white to orange and purple.
- Salt and Pepper: I like to keep it simple and season the sweet potato with salt and pepper.
- Butter: nothing is more delicious than a pat of butter melted into the natural sweetness of the sweet potato.
How to Bake Sweet potatoes in Oven
For the best oven baked sweet potatoes, they are baked without foil at high heat. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper with a bit of butter for a savory flavor or a cinnamon sugar mixture for a sweet treat.
For complete instructions on how to bake sweet potatoes in the oven, refer to the full recipe card at the end of this post.
Here is how to make the perfect sweet potato in the oven.
Step 1: Wash and Scrub. To prepare your sweet potatoes for baking, clean them with a vegetable brush under running water. If there are any spots or blemishes, use a knife to cut them out.
Step 2: Dry. Once all the dirt has been removed, pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 3: Poke Holes. Before putting them in the oven, use a fork to poke several shallow holes in each of the whole sweet potatoes. This allows the steam to escape.
Step 4: Bake. Lay the sweet potatoes on a cast iron skillet or on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 450°F on the middle oven rack for up to an hour, depending on the size of the sweet potato.
The baking time for the perfect baked sweet potato can vary from 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.
Turning the sweet potatoes over halfway through is a good idea for even baking.
You will know your sweet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender. You can test them by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the potato. If the fork slides in easily, the sweet potato is done.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy. Baked sweet potatoes can be topped with various toppings for added flavor to create a unique flavor that will satisfy your taste buds.
Baked Sweet Potato Toppings
The perfect sweet potato is a great addition to any meal, especially as a side dish. They are delicious, healthy, and can become a quick, easy weeknight main meal.
Top the baked sweet potato with your favorite toppings for a complete meal. Whether you want something sweet or savory, you can find the perfect sweet potato toppings to add a delicious flavor!
- Savory Sweet Potato: Top with a little butter, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Super Sweet Potato: Add honey butter, a little brown sugar, and cinnamon. Or try maple syrup, butter, and toasted pecans.
- Baked Loaded Sweet Potato: add a dollop of sour cream, bacon, and green onion.
- Protein: some great options for adding protein are black beans, pulled pork, bbq chicken, taco meat, or blackened chicken.
Tips for Making Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Crispy Skin: Avoid wrapping the potato in foil if you desire a crispy sweet potato skin. Foil locks in moisture and will prevent the potato from having a crispy skin. Allowing excess moisture to escape during baking is the best way to get a crisp exterior.
- Uniform Size: Select sweet potatoes of similar size and shape. Uniformity in the size of the potato ensures that the potatoes will be done cooking in the same amount of time.
- Prevent a Mess: baking sweet potatoes can be messy – the liquid tends to caramelize and make a sticky mess. To make for easy cleanup, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or use a foil-lined baking sheet before putting in the sweet potatoes.
How to Store and ReHeat
Sweet potatoes are an incredibly versatile and nutritious meal. Bake a few at the beginning of the week to enjoy as an easy side dish or ingredient in various recipes.
- To Store: If you have leftovers, they can be easily stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoyed throughout the week.
- To Reheat: Cook for a couple of minutes in the microwave until warmed through. Or cook in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
FAQs
What to Serve with Baked Sweet Potatoes
Baking sweet potatoes in the oven is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this delicious vegetable! Not only is it simple and easy to do, but it is a healthy way to enjoy sweet potatoes and is a great addition to any meal.
Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
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Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes
This easy recipe for the perfect baked sweet potatoes in the oven is the best side dish for any meal. The sweet potatoes are cooked on a cast iron skillet and then served with butter, salt, and pepper.
Ingredients
- 4-6 medium size sweet potatoes
Instructions
Step 1: Wash and Scrub. To prepare your sweet potatoes for baking, clean them with a vegetable brush under running water. If there are any spots or blemishes, use a knife to cut them out.
Step 2: Dry. Once all the dirt has been removed, pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 3: Poke Holes. Before putting them in the oven, use a fork to poke several shallow holes in each of the whole sweet potatoes. This allows the steam to escape.
Step 4: Bake. Lay the sweet potatoes on a cast iron skillet or on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 450°F on the middle oven rack for up to an hour, depending on the size of the sweet potato.
The baking time for the perfect baked sweet potato can vary from 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.
Turning the sweet potatoes over halfway through is a good idea for even baking.
You will know your sweet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender. You can test them by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the potato. If the fork slides in easily, the sweet potato is done.
Step 5: Serve. Once baked, serve the sweet potatoes and season with butter, salt, and pepper. Or, top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Crispy Skin: Avoid wrapping the potato in foil if you desire a crispy sweet potato skin. Foil locks in moisture and will prevent the potato from having a crispy skin. Allowing excess moisture to escape during baking is the best way to get a crisp exterior.
- Uniform Size: Select sweet potatoes of similar size and shape. Uniformity in the size of the potato ensures that the potatoes will be done cooking in the same amount of time.
- Prevent a Mess: baking sweet potatoes can be messy – the liquid tends to caramelize and make a sticky mess. To make for easy cleanup, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or use a foil-lined baking sheet before putting in the sweet potatoes.