The Ultimate Foolproof Baked Sweet Potato
Learn the simple method for baking sweet potatoes in the oven to achieve a fluffy interior and slightly crisp skin.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water. Scrub the skins well.
- Pat the potatoes completely dry with a paper towel. This helps the skin crisp.
- Prick each sweet potato several times deeply all over with a fork. This allows steam to escape.
- Rub the exterior of each potato lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with coarse salt.
- Place the prepared sweet potatoes directly onto the middle oven rack. Do not use foil for the best skin texture.
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Cooking time depends on the size of the potato.
- The potato is done when you can easily pierce the center with a fork and the skin is slightly wrinkled and firm.
- Remove from the oven. Let them cool for 5 minutes before slicing open lengthwise.
- Serve immediately with your preferred toppings.
Notes
- For a softer skin, you may wrap individual potatoes loosely in aluminum foil before baking. Adjust cook time as needed.
- To make twice baked sweet potatoes, scoop out the flesh after baking, mix with desired ingredients, and return to the skin shells to bake for 10 more minutes.
- For a quick method, microwave the potatoes for 5-7 minutes until soft, then finish in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes to crisp the skin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium potato
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 230
- Fat: 0.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.1
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 41
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 0