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Baked Sweet Potato Recipe

A Baked Sweet Potato is a classic side dish that’s so easy to make yet so versatile. Learn how to bake sweet potatoes in the oven that are perfectly fluffy and creamy in the center.

Four sweet potatoes on a plate topped with butter and chives.

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From our popular Creamy Sweet Potato Soup to Sweet Potato Casserole for Thanksgiving, we love sweet potatoes in our family. With their fluffy-creamy texture and sweet and savory flavor profile, it’s no wonder everyone loves sweet potatoes (including our kids). We especially enjoy them in the cold months – it’s such a comforting and nutritious root vegetable.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

This roasted sweet potato recipe will surely become your go-to side for so many reasons. Here’s why you will love this recipe:

  • Easy to Make – The prep takes just 5 minutes and your oven does the rest.
  • Versatile – The potato may be enjoyed as a side with Steak, Baked Chicken Breast, Pork Tenderloin, and so many different dishes, or enjoyed as a meal if loaded with sweet or savory toppings (see topping ideas below). 
  • Healthy – There are so many health benefits to sweet potatoes, and you definitely want to incorporate this vegetable into your diet. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber as you can see in the nutrition label below.
Sweet potato on a plate topped with butter and chives.

How to Bake Sweet Potatoes

  1. Clean Potatoes – Since the sweet potato is a root vegetable grown underground, you want to thoroughly clean it. Rice and scrub the skin of the potato and pat dry. 
  2. Poke Holes – Once cleaned, poke holes in the potato with a fork. This allows any excess moisture to be released as the potatoes are baked at high a temperature.
  3. Bake – Add sweet potatoes onto your parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet and cook until the thickest part of the potato is tender.
Step-by-step collage how to bake sweet potato in the oven.

How Long to Bake a Sweet Potato

Just like any other roasting method, the baking time will vary depending on the oven itself (all ovens are different), the size of the potato, and the cooking temperature. Here’s a general guide for a medium/large potato and bake until the potato easily pierces in the center:

  • At 375°F – Bake for 60-75 minutes
  • At 400°F – Bake for 45-60 minutes
  • At 425°F – Bake for 40-50 minutes

Pro Tip: You can bake a sweet potato in the Air Fryer or in an Instant Pot if you want them done even faster, just prep potatoes the same way and follow our tutorial for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or Instant Pot Baked Potatoes, adjusting the timing for the size of the sweet potato.

Topping Ideas

A baked sweet potato may be enjoyed plain with some butter, or you can get as creative as you’d like. Here are some of our favorite toppings:

Roasted sweet potato fluffed on a plate with a fork.

Common Questions

Is it better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil?

Wrapping in foil is not necessary for this recipe. The skin is a natural barrier that will keep the center from drying out. It’s also easier to check for doneness if you don’t have to unwrap them.

What is the difference between a yam and a sweet potato?

While yams and sweet potatoes are sometimes labeled interchangeably in US grocery stores, they are actually quite different. Sweet potatoes have a reddish or orange exterior while yams have a brown exterior, can grow significantly larger and are rarely available in American grocery stores.

How do you know when a sweet potato is cooked?

You’ll know a sweet potato is done baking when you pierce a knife into the thickest part of the potato without resistance.

Do you have to poke holes into the sweet potato?

Sweet potatoes should be poked several times through the skin before baking to allow the steam to escape. Otherwise, a sweet potato can explode in the oven.

Poking holes into a sweet potato before baking

Serve With

Roasted sweet potatoes are so versatile and may be enjoyed in so many different ways!

More Sweet Potato Recipes

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Baked Sweet Potato Recipe

5 from 13 votes
Author: Valentina Ablaev
Baked sweet potatoes served on platter
The easiest Baked Sweet Potato Recipe with a fluffy and creamy center. Baked sweet potatoes are perfect as a side dish or main course.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 4 servings
  • 4 medium/large sweet potatoes, (2 pounds potatoes)
  • unsalted butter, optional for topping
  • chopped chives, optional for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
  • Thoroughly rinse and scrub the potatoes then pat dry with a towel and poke holes all over with a fork.
  • Set potatoes on the prepared baking sheet leaving some space between potatoes and bake for 45 minutes, or until easily pierced with a knife or fork.
  • Cool for five minutes before cutting open and adding butter and chives, or your favorite toppings.

Notes

The nutrition label is for the sweet potato only (without toppings).

Nutrition Per Serving

194kcal Calories45g Carbs4g Protein0.1g Fat0.04g Saturated Fat0.03g Polyunsaturated Fat0.003g Monounsaturated Fat124mg Sodium762mg Potassium7g Fiber9g Sugar32063IU Vitamin A5mg Vitamin C68mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Baked Sweet Potato Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
194
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.04
g
0
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.03
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.003
g
Sodium
 
124
mg
5
%
Potassium
 
762
mg
22
%
Carbohydrates
 
45
g
15
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
32063
IU
641
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
68
mg
7
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked sweet potato
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $5-$8
Calories: 194

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Valentina Ablaev

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Read comments/reviewsAdd comment/review

  • C. Marlene Barnett
    June 3, 2023

    I’m a butter & honey fan for my sweet pots‼️🥰💥🇺🇸

    Reply

  • Jacqueline
    May 15, 2023

    Keep inspiring us my dear Natasha with your incredible & tasteful recipes!!

    You make all your dishes look so easy 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 16, 2023

      Thank you so much, Jacqueline! I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes.

      Reply

  • Steve Manos
    January 17, 2023

    Once again, another recipe that knocks it out of the park. Huge fan of this site and all of its contributors! Thank you for your continued inspiration!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 17, 2023

      Thanks so much, Steve! I appreciate the love and support. It means so much to me.

      Reply

  • Robert woodland
    November 18, 2022

    How would I do it with brown sugar an pecons that how I do a big pan like to try this then add mini marshmallows

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 18, 2022

      I have not tested this to provide exact instructions. I think they would work great with those additions. Let us know how they turn out if you experiment.

      Reply

  • bill
    November 9, 2022

    you are my favorite web site for cooking i tried 3 or4 others but you are the best

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 9, 2022

      Thank you Bob, we appreciate your support!

      Reply

  • Dan
    November 8, 2022

    Hi, We love sweet potatoes . I usually do a double cook in the microwave, or a little less depending on the size. Lots of butter with a little cinnamon, or butter and honey.

    Reply

  • Kristen
    November 8, 2022

    These baked sweet potatoes were the best, you don’t even need to add any toppings to eat them.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 8, 2022

      Thank you for the feedback and review. I’m glad you loved them.

      Reply

  • Kristyn
    November 8, 2022

    Sweet potatoes are mine & my hubby’s favorite!!We love this recipe!! The potatoes are sweet & so creamy inside!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 8, 2022

      So glad you loved them! 🙂

      Reply

  • Kara
    November 8, 2022

    So easy and tasty! We like ours sprinkled with a little cinnamon sugar.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 8, 2022

      Sounds delicious! 🙂

      Reply

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