Foolproof Baked Sweet Potatoes: Crispy Skin and Fluffy Interior
Learn the best way to cook sweet potatoes in the oven for a perfectly fluffy sweet potato interior and crispy skin hack. This easy oven baked potatoes method is a healthy sweet potato side dish staple.
- 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 (about 8-10 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You do not need to wrap the potatoes in foil for this method.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes well under running water to remove any dirt. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
- Pierce each sweet potato 5 to 6 times deeply all over using a sharp fork. This allows steam to escape.
- Rub the entire surface of each potato lightly with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the coarse salt and black pepper evenly over the oiled skins.
- Place the seasoned potatoes directly onto the middle oven rack. Place a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips.
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your potatoes. They are done when the skin is slightly wrinkled and crispy, and a knife inserted into the center meets no resistance.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven. Let them cool for about 5 minutes before slicing them open lengthwise down the center. Gently squeeze the sides to fluff the interior.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings for a simple roasted sweet potatoes experience.
Notes
- For a twice baked sweet potato ideas base, scoop out the flesh after baking, mix with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then return to the skins and bake for 10 more minutes.
- To make a garlic butter sweet potato bake, mix 2 tablespoons of softened butter with 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of dried parsley. Spread this mixture over the cut, hot potatoes before serving.
- These are excellent for baked sweet potatoes meal prep; store cooked potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium potato
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0