How to Perfectly Bake Sweet Potatoes

baked sweet potatoes with a pat of vegan butter

How to Perfectly Bake Sweet Potatoes

A flawlessly baked sweet potato is the perfect side dish. It's simple to make, hassle-free, and loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Here's the ultimate method to perfectly bake sweet potatoes, resulting in a delectably sweet flavor and crispy sweet potato skin.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword bake sweet potatoes, how long does cooked sweet potato last, how long to bake a sweet potato at 350, how long to bake a sweet potato at 450

Prep Time 5

Total Time 40

Servings serving

Calories 135kcal

Author Cindy Newland with Intentionally Eat

Ingredients

1 medium sweet potato approximately 2" diameter x 5" long

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 450℉ and place a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil on the bottom oven rack under the sweet potatoes to catch any drips.
Scrub sweet potato thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Prick the sweet potato about 6 to 8 times with a fork, about ¼ inch deep.
Place the sweet potato directly on the oven rack. Bake 35-45 minutes.
You do not need to wrap the sweet potatoes in aluminum foil because it will trap moisture, leading to soggy skin. By allowing excess moisture to escape during baking, you'll release the natural sweetness while ensuring the skin remains crispy resulting in a perfectly baked sweet potato.
Serve by slicing it open lengthwise and fluff the flesh with a fork. Then, add a pat of vegan butter and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for seasoning.

Notes

Pro Tip: For improved sweet potato skin, rub each sweet potato very lightly with extra-virgin olive oil before baking. Keep in mind this will add additional calories and fat.

Nutritional Information is only an estimate. The accuracy of this recipe may differ depending on the ingredients you use.

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