It is surprisingly easy to make these perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes! They are soft and tender, the ideal base for sweet or savory toppings. With only 5 minutes of hands-on time, you can have these healthy and filling sweet potatoes ready to serve.
For more starchy tuber recipes, see our complete collection of potato recipes!
Over the years I find that my love of sweet potatoes only grows. I didn't used to eat them at all, then I would only eat them if they were covered in a sugary topping at Thanksgiving (don't judge… this is a stage that most sweet potato lovers must go through). But now I have a new-found appreciation for their natural flavor and sweetness!
Besides their delicious flavor, sweet potatoes are incredibly healthy. They are packed with vitamins and fiber, so you can feel good about eating them (even with toppings 😉). And baking them is by far the easiest way to make them. Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes only take a few minutes of hands-on time and there is practically no clean up. I learned the baking method from Empowered Sustenance, then just modified it slightly.
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Ingredients for baked sweet potatoes
- Sweet potatoes: Choose sweet potatoes with smooth skin and minimal blemishes. I prefer the texture of small to medium potatoes, but large will work as well.
- Butter: Just a bit to soften the potato and add flavor before you add your toppings.
- Salt and pepper: No matter what other toppings you add, salt and pepper add a bit of extra flavor.
- Toppings: If serving with toppings, choose whichever ones you would like. There is a whole list of ideas below, but the main pairings I recommend are candied nuts with maple syrup, brown sugar with herbs, and pesto.
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make baked sweet potatoes
- Prep potatoes: First, wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly. No need to peel them.
- Place in oven: Place a piece of tinfoil on the bottom rack of the oven (this will catch any juices that leak from the potatoes). Then place the potatoes in the cold oven directly on the rack above the foil.
- Bake: After putting the potatoes on the rack, close the oven and preheat to 425°F. Bake small-medium potatoes (3-4 inches long) for 45 minutes and large potatoes (5-6 inches long) for 60 minutes.
- Turn off oven: At the end of baking time, do NOT open the oven door. Turn the oven off and leave the potatoes for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour.
- Serve: Take the potatoes out of the oven. They will still be warm. Slice open, pile with toppings, and serve.
Toppings
Sweet potatoes are like a blank canvas just waiting for topping inspiration. Of course, you can serve them simply with butter, salt, and pepper. Or you can take it to a whole new level with toppings, including but not limited to the ideas listed here. It's also easy to make it a meal with the meat options below.
- Candied nuts and maple syrup - Here is a super easy recipe for Maple Pecans!
- Brown sugar and fresh herbs - Try rosemary or thyme.
- Pesto - Just drizzle a little on top and add parmesan cheese if desired.
- Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs - Try thyme, rosemary, or parsley.
- Brown butter and sage - Melt some butter in a saucepan, add whole sage leaves, then cook the butter until golden brown. Then drizzle on the potato and top with the cooked sage.
- Smoked chicken or pork with barbecue sauce - This is a good protein option.
- Pulled Hawaiian chicken and chopped pineapple - Great for a tropical vibe.
- Taco meat with fresh avocado, cilantro, and Monterey Jack cheese - Ground beef or turkey cooked with taco seasoning is super simple.
- Chopped chicken - Chop up leftover grilled or skillet chicken and drizzle with the sauce cooked with the chicken. This Shredded Honey Lime Chicken or this Best Ever Grilled Chicken would be delicious options.
For a crowd
This recipe can easily be adapted to however many you are serving. Just bake as many sweet potatoes as you need. If serving with toppings, I like to prepare a buffet-style set-up with small bowls of different toppings. That way everyone can make their sweet potato just how they like it.
FAQs
Sweet potatoes and yams are often confused, sometimes even mislabeled in stores. They are both tuberous root vegetables, but sweet potatoes are much more commonly eaten. Sweet potatoes typically have brown skin and orange flesh, although they can also have lighter skin and flesh. Yams usually have a darker, rougher skin and white or purple-ish flesh. They cook differently, so make sure to use sweet potatoes for this recipe.
Many recipes require you to prick the outside of the potato with a fork several times before baking in order to help the skin separate from the potato. I personally skip this step, as I have found it unnecessary. But you are welcome to do it if you'd like.
Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Raw sweet potatoes should stay good for 3-5 weeks at room temperature, but once they are cooked they will only last 3-5 days.
You can reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel, or you can bake them at 350° until warmed through.
Other potato recipes
- Savory Sweet Potato Casserole- These sweet, creamy potatoes have the perfect bite with a delicious crunchy pecan topping. Amazing for the holidays!
- Twice Baked Potato Bake - These are creamy potatoes mixed with cheese, bacon, and green onions, then baked to melty perfection. Ideal for the holiday season or barbecue meals!
- Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes - Perfect mashed potatoes aren't always easy to make… but this post includes all the tricks to get them deliciously creamy and smooth every time.
- Duchess Potatoes and Duchess Potatoes Casserole- two takes on an amazing side dish for a dinner party, holiday, or any other celebration.
- Incredibly Crispy Smashed Potatoes - Soft in the center, crispy on the edges, and topped with delicious herbs. These potatoes are always a winner!
Tips and tricks
- Don't open the oven. No peeking! Keep the oven shut the whole time to ensure they cook all the way through.
- Don't forget the tinfoil! The tinfoil on the bottom rack catches the juices and saves a lot of cleanup later. Just throw it away after baking.
What to serve with sweet potato
- Smoked Tri-Tip
- Crispy Baked Bone-In Chicken Thighs
- Brown Butter Chicken Bites
- Cheddar Biscuits with Hot Honey
- Spinach Avocado Salad
- Maple Brussel Sprouts
- Blackberry Lemonade
This also makes an amazing holiday side dish. It's easy, very little hands-on time, and everyone loves getting to customize their own. We include this recipe and many more on our full collection of Thanksgiving recipes!
Recipe
Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sweet and Savory Toppings
Ingredients
- 3 sweet potatoes
- 3 tablespoon butter
- kosher salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- Toppings: brown sugar, chopped herbs, candied nuts, maple syrup, pesto, or other toppings as desired.
Instructions
- Wash and dry sweet potatoes thoroughly.3 sweet potatoes
- Place a piece of tinfoil on the bottom rack of the oven, then position a rack right above it. In the cold oven, place the sweet potatoes directly on rack above the tinfoil.
- Turn the oven on to 425°F. Bake small-medium potatoes (3-4 inches long) for 45 minutes and large potatoes (5-6 inches long) for 60 minutes.
- When done baking, do NOT open the oven door. Turn the oven off and leave the potatoes inside for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour.
- Slice open and add butter, salt, and pepper. Add other toppings as desired.3 tablespoon butter, kosher salt, pepper , Toppings: brown sugar, chopped herbs, candied nuts, maple syrup, pesto, or other toppings as desired.
Notes
- Don't open the oven. No peeking! Keep the oven shut the whole time to ensure they cook all the way through.
- Don't forget the tinfoil! The tinfoil on the bottom rack catches the juices and saves a lot of cleanup later. Just throw it away after baking.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Melanie says
The candied nuts were so good 😍 I used large sweet potatoes and definitely had to cook them for the full hour. But they turned out nice and soft.
Misty says
Those are my favorite topping! Happy that you liked it!