Here’s a simple, foolproof way to make a baked sweet potato — soft, naturally sweet, and perfect as a side or base for toppings.
🍠 Baked Sweet Potato
Ingredients
- 1–4 medium sweet potatoes
- Olive oil (optional)
- Salt (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
- Preheat to 400°F (200°C).
2️⃣ Prep Sweet Potatoes
- Wash and scrub thoroughly.
- Pat dry.
- Optional: Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork (helps steam escape).
- Optional: Rub lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt for crispier skin.
3️⃣ Bake
- Place on a baking sheet (lined with foil for easier cleanup).
- Bake 45–60 minutes, depending on size.
- Test doneness by inserting a fork or skewer — it should slide in easily.
4️⃣ Serve
- Slice open and fluff the insides with a fork.
- Top with butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup, or savory toppings like sour cream and chives.
Tips
- Smaller sweet potatoes bake faster.
- For extra caramelized flavor, wrap in foil and bake directly on the oven rack.
- You can also microwave for 5–10 minutes as a quicker method, then finish in the oven for a crispy skin.
If you want, I can give a stuffed baked sweet potato recipe — savory or sweet — that turns it into a full meal. Do you want that?
