With this simple baking method, you’ll enjoy restaurant-quality baked sweet potatoes any day of the week!
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There are a few steak joints and supper clubs in my area that have mastered the baked potato, more specifically, the baked sweet potato. With a crispy exterior and tender interior, it’s mouthwateringly good and goes perfectly with a New York Strip steak or lobster. Then I wondered, could I make this delicious baked sweet potato at home? Well, like most of my favorite dishes, it turns out that baking my own sweet potatoes is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
When you bake a sweet potato at 400 degrees, it should turn out beautifully fluffy, almost like a dessert. And don’t forget to eat that crispy skin! Not only is it loaded with nutrients and fiber, it’s yummy, too! The best thing about a sweet potato is that you can serve it sweet or savory. Add a dollop of butter and chives, or sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar. Either way, you’re left with a hearty and healthy dish. But if you’re not into sweet potatoes, that’s okay—we’ve got some great russet baked potato recipes on FFF!
Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
You bet they are! They’re a wonderful source of vitamins A and C. You’ll also get a generous dose of fiber, manganese, beta carotene, and potassium. All these nutrients are essential for vision, immune system function, and metabolic health. And given that this recipe is such a blank slate, you can modify the ingredients to suit practically any diet.
Some reminders for baking the best sweet potato
Getting the right texture and taste for your baked sweet potato is practically an art form. One of the keys lies in choosing sweet potatoes that are similar in size and shape. This helps them cook evenly. Also, before baking, I can’t emphasize how important it is to pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork. This technique does more than just prevent the potatoes from bursting. As the potatoes heat up, these tiny holes allow steam to escape, which is essential for an evenly cooked interior.
And when it comes to sprucing up sweet potato’s natural flavor, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. All you really need to do is lightly brush them with oil and sprinkle them with salt before baking. The oil helps crisp up the skin and also enhances the natural sweetness of the potato.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat
Prepare oven and baking sheet.
Pierce
Clean and poke holes in sweet potatoes.
Season
Optionally oil and season before baking.
Bake
Cook until tender, adjust time for size.
Rest
Cool slightly before serving.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Feel free to bake the sweet potatoes in advance, but make sure to allow them to cool off before you store them. They should last in the fridge for up to five days. You can reheat them in the microwave, but I think they taste best reheated in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake them for 15–20 minutes. You may need to brush them with olive oil again to help them crisp up.
If you’re short on time, you can microwave the sweet potatoes first. If you cook them for just a few minutes, this should help reduce the overall cooking time.
I like to poke them gently with a fork. You know the sweet potatoes are perfectly baked when your fork effortlessly slides in through the skin.
Serving Suggestions
These baked sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile. I like to serve them as a side with our juicy grilled chicken breast recipe. They pair well with fish, too. In fact, try them with our crispy air fried fish. Or make this sweet potato your main course and top them with black beans, cheese, and avocado for a satisfying vegetarian meal. There’s really no limit to this marvelously simple and tasty dish!
Perfectly Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper optional
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
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Thoroughly wash and scrub the sweet potatoes, then pat them dry with paper towels. Pierce the tops of the potatoes several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
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Optionally, brush each sweet potato with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper to taste for added flavor.
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Place the sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45–60 minutes, or until they are tender and fully cooked through.
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Once baked, remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the inside to settle, making them easier to slice open.
Nutrition
The post How Long To Bake Sweet Potatoes At 400 appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
