Baked Sweet Potatoes (Perfect Oven Baked Recipe)

A plate of baked sweet potatoes with sour cream and chopped chives on top.

5 from 1 vote

Baked Sweet Potatoes (Perfect Oven Baked Recipe)

Baked sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious side dish that complements any main dish. This oven-baked recipe ensures that the sweet potatoes come out perfectly tender and caramelized every time.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1

Total Time1 10

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 219kcal

Author: Kim Schob

Equipment

Ingredients

5 large sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon avocado oil
Kosher salt

Optional toppings:

Butter slices
Chives

Cups - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes clean, then dry them thoroughly.
5 large sweet potatoes
Poke holes around each potato using a fork, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Rub a bit of oil over each sweet potato skin for crispy skins and sprinkle with a little bit of salt, adding extra seasonings if desired.
1 tablespoon avocado oil
Bake for 45-60 minutes or until fork-tender. If needed, cook for an additional 5 minutes and check again.
Once tender, slice each potato lengthwise with a paring knife and gently spread it open.
Serve with your favorite toppings: a little butter, a dollop of sour cream, or Greek yogurt, and garnish with chives if desired.
Kosher salt, Butter slices, Chives

Notes

Parchment Paper: Line the baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil. I chose parchment paper, and it worked perfectly—the potato skins didn't burn or stick, and makes for an easier cleanup.
Holes in Potatoes: Poking holes in the potatoes before baking is optional. It allows steam to escape and prevents skin tearing, but you can skip this step if you prefer.
Potato Size: Select potatoes of similar size for even cooking, ensuring they all finish roughly simultaneously.
Use a Baking Rack: Place a baking rack on top of your sheet pan for more even cooking. This helps air circulate around the potatoes, leading to crispier skins.
Turn Potatoes Halfway: To achieve a perfectly baked sweet potato, turn the sweet potatoes halfway through the cooking time. This ensures they cook uniformly on all sides.
Flavor Infusion: Rub the potatoes with minced garlic, fresh herbs like rosemary, or a pinch of chili powder before baking to infuse extra flavor.
Check for Doneness: The easiest way to check is to insert a fork or skewer into the thickest part of the potato. If it goes through easily with no resistance, the potatoes are done.
Rest Before Serving: Allow the sweet potatoes to rest for a few minutes after baking. This brief cooling period helps them finish cooking through and makes them easier to handle when slicing open.
Microwave Shortcuts: In a pinch, start the sweet potatoes in the microwave for 5-7 minutes before transferring them to the oven. This reduces the overall baking time.

Nutrition