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Get the most perfect baked sweet potatoes every single time with this foolproof method. Perfect to serve as an effortless side dish, and hearty enough to serve as a main. Dinner has never been so easy!

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On busy weeknights, baked sweet potatoes are my go-to! I pop them in the oven while I prep the rest of dinner—it’s my favorite ‘set it and forget it’ side dish. They’re quick and easy to make, packed with nutrients, and oh-so tasty!
Growing up in Bulgaria, we didn’t eat sweet potatoes because they weren’t available, but once I tried them baked to perfection, I was hooked! Now, they’re a staple in our home, especially when I need a fuss-free side dish.
I’ve tried baking sweet potatoes in so many different ways, and after plenty of experimenting, I’ve figured out what works best. I’m excited to share my tips for perfect results every time!
For more sweet potato recipes, be sure to try my Sweet Potato Wedges, Baked Sweet Potato Chips in Oven, and Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Minimal prep: Just wash, poke, and bake! With hardly any prep work, you get perfectly soft and caramelized sweet potatoes with crispy skin and rich flavor.
- Wholesome: With their delicious flavor and creamy texture, baked sweet potatoes feel like comfort food while still being simple and wholesome.
- A full meal: They are great to serve as a side but you can add your favorite toppings to turn them into a hearty meal.
Ingredients
For a full ingredients list with measurements, check the recipe card below.
- Sweet Potatoes: Just scrub them clean and poke them with a fork before popping them in the oven. So easy!
- Olive oil (optional): Rubbing with olive oil is not necessary but optional if you want your sweet potato to have a crispy skin.
- Butter: I like to add a little salted butter to the baked sweet potato when I serve them. Of course, it’s optional, but it tastes so much better with it!
- Seasonings: I like to finish them with a little salt, pepper and rosemary, added to taste.
How To Bake Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 425º and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On the baking sheet, prick sweet potatoes all over with a fork. For crispy skin, rub each sweet potato very lightly with olive oil before baking.
- Bake until tender, 45 to 50 minutes.
- Let cool, then split the tops open with a knife and top with butter, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
In A Hurry? Quick Tip
If you are in a hurry, you can also cut the sweet potatoes in half, rub them with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake them. Roast them cut side up for about 30 minutes, until they are lightly browned and tender when pierced with a fork.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Top Tips for Baking Perfect Sweet Potatoes
- Poke holes. Use a fork to prick the skin all over – this allows the steam to escape so that they don’t burst during baking, and it helps them cook evenly.
- Don’t wrap in foil. Wrapping the sweet potatoes in foil will trap moisture and make them steam rather than bake.
- Bake at high heat. For the best-caramelized flavor and creamy and fluffy texture, bake sweet potatoes at 400°F to 425°F. Higher heat helps bring out their natural sweetness and gives them a perfect texture.
- For crispy skin. For extra crispy skin, you can rub a little oil on the potatoes before placing them in the oven.
- Let them rest. After baking, let the sweet potatoes sit for a few minutes. This helps the steam redistribute and makes them even softer.
- Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be reheated in the oven.
Topping Suggestions
I usually enjoy mine with just butter and a sprinkle of sea salt, but when I want to make it a full, hearty meal, I’ll top them with lean protein like shredded chicken made in the Instant Pot, ground beef, or even cooked quinoa. You can also try some of these toppings:
- Cottage Cheese or sour cream
- Chili
- Baked Beans
- Tuna White Bean Salad
- Turkey Salad
- Spices (for more flavor, you can sprinkle some ground cumin, black pepper, chives and even chili powder)
You can then serve them alongside a fresh salad for a great well-balanced meal.
Recipe FAQs
The best temperature to bake a sweet potato is between 400°F and 425°F. Baking at high heat helps caramelize the natural sugars, giving you a soft, fluffy interior with perfectly roasted skin.
I’ve tried baking them at lower temperatures before, but they never turned out quite as good – either too dry or not as flavorful, plus it takes longer to bake. Now, I always stick to 425°F for that rich, sweet, and perfectly tender bite every time!
A common misconception when baking sweet potatoes is that you have to wrap them in foil, but there’s really no need to do this. When you wrap them in foil, the moisture can’t escape so the potatoes steam rather than bake, the skin gets moist and you won’t get that crispy skin with caramelization on the outside.
For the best baked sweet potatoes, keep the skin on. The skin helps to hold everything together and it gets nice and crispy when it is baked. The skin is also the part that contains the most nutrients, so definitely keep it on! Just give them a good scrub to remove any dirt and pop them in the oven.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Gratin
- Turkey and Sweet Potato Frittata
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Slices
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Baked Sweet Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 4 Tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Rosemary, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425º and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On the baking sheet, prick sweet potatoes all over with a fork.
- Bake sweet potatoes until tender, 45 to 50 minutes, depending on their size.
- Let sweet potatoes cool, then split the tops open with a knife and top with butter, salt, pepper and rosemary.
Video
Notes
- Poke holes. Use a fork to prick the skin all over – this allows the steam to escape so that they don’t burst during baking, and it helps them cook evenly.
- Don’t wrap in foil. Wrapping the sweet potatoes in foil will trap moisture and make them steam rather than bake.
- Bake at high heat. For the best-caramelized flavor and creamy and fluffy texture, bake sweet potatoes at 400°F to 425°F. Higher heat helps bring out their natural sweetness and gives them a perfect texture.
- For crispy skin. For extra crispy skin, you can rub a little oil on the potatoes before placing them in the oven.
- Let them rest. After baking, let the sweet potatoes sit for a few minutes. This helps the steam redistribute and makes them even softer.
- Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and can be reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.
These baked sweet potatoes were perfect – soft and so easy to make! Definitely a new favorite.
Iโm so happy to hear that! Thanks for trying the recipe and for your comment!