Baking whole sweet potatoes at 400°F for about 50-60 minutes is the best way to prepare whole sweet potatoes if you like tender, fluffy interiors and perfectly crispy skins.
When I want a simple and comforting side dish, I always bake whole sweet potatoes. I like to bake 4-5 potatoes at a time, as I can turn them into different main dishes by adding toppings such as beans, ground turkey, avocado, cheese, and more. This is a great idea for meal prepping for the busy week.
If you are looking for other ways to cook sweet potatoes, try our instant pot cubed sweet potatoes, air fryer baked sweet potatoes, baked sliced sweet potatoes, or air fried cubed sweet potatoes.
And for a more unique side dish, try our mashed purple sweet potatoes with crispy sage.
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Recipe ingredients
Please, see the recipe card at the end of this post for the ingredients quantities.
At a minimum, you will need some sweet potatoes, some kind of fat or oil, and salt to make this recipe.
For traditional baked sweet potatoes, Garnet and Jewel are the top choices due to their moist and naturally sweet characteristics.
If you like a less sweet and drier texture, choose Hannah or Japanese sweet potatoes.
In this recipe, I am using Garnet sweet potatoes. They have reddish skin and deep orange flesh. They have a creamy texture and naturally sweet flavor, making them perfect for baking.
I have always baked my sweet potatoes with butter or olive oil. And while the results were great, I realized that these options aren't ideal for longer baking times at 400°F.
But recently, I have switched to ghee butter. It can withstand higher temperatures for longer times, which helps achieve that perfect crispy skin. It also adds a nice buttery flavor to the potatoes.
How to bake sweet potatoes at 400°F
Step 1. Wash and dry sweet potatoes. Wash sweet potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a paper towel. Poke a few whole with a fork.
Step 2. Melt the ghee butter in the microwave. Rub the potato with a thin layer of melted ghee butter and sprinkle it generously with salt on top.
Step 3. Place the potatoes on the deep dish pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400°F for about 50-60 minutes or until fork tender. You can also check if they are done by squeezing the sweet potatoes using the oven mitten.
Note: I like to bake them in a deep dish because it allows better heat circulation, which helps the sweet potatoes cook evenly.
Step 4. Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Recipe shortcut tips
- To reduce the baking time, slice the potatoes half lengthwise and basket them with the cut side down for about 35-40 minutes or until soft.
- You can also cook them for about 5 minutes in the microwave before baking.
Serving ideas
Sweet potatoes are available throughout the year, so I would like to offer you a seasonal approach to serve them as a side dish with the following meat main dishes:
- Winter: air fryer pork chops, spatchcock chicken.
- Spring: baked lamb chops with herbs, Greek style meatballs with mint.
- Summer: air fryer chicken patties, BBQ pulled chicken, turkey meatloaf with zucchini.
- Fall: whole roasted duck, baked turkey legs, air fryer turkey thighs.
How to store baked sweet potatoes
Let the potatoes cool down completely. Transfer cooled-down sweet potatoes into an airtight container or a bag and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze cooked sweet potatoes for up to 3 months.
You can reheat them in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
I always bake whole sweet potatoes at 400°F. This temperature is perfect for achieving a creamy interior, caramelization, and crispy skin. If you want less caramelization, bake them at 350°F to 375°F for a slightly longer time.
No, you do not need to wrap the potatoes in foil before baking them. However, if you prefer a softer skin, you can choose to do so.
Yes, I recommend piercing holes in sweet potatoes before baking them. I used to think it was unnecessary until I experienced a potato bursting in the oven one day. It only happened once, but it still can happen.
📖 Recipe
How to Bake Perfect Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 baking pan and some parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 Garnet sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon melted ghee butter or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a deep baking dish with parchment paper.
- Wash, dry, and pierce sweet potatoes with a fork. Rub a thin layer of melted ghee butter all over the potatoes and sprinkle them generously with salt.
- Arrange seasoned sweet potatoes in a prepared pan. Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until fork tender.
- Let the sweet potatoes rest for 5 minutes after baking.
Notes
If you are in a hurry, cook the potatoes in the microwave for 5 minutes before baking them.
You can also use any other baking pan, but I like a deep dish pan as it cooks the potatoes more evenly.
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
I always bake whole sweet potatoes at 400°F. This temperature is perfect for achieving a creamy interior, caramelization, and crispy skin. If you want less caramelization, bake them at 350°F to 375°F for a slightly longer time.
No, you do not need to wrap the potatoes in foil before baking them. However, if you prefer a softer skin, you can choose to do so.
Yes, I recommend piercing holes in sweet potatoes before baking them. I used to think it was unnecessary until I experienced a potato bursting in the oven one day. It only happened once, but it still can happen.
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