Foolproof Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes
Learn the simple method for baking sweet potatoes until the inside is perfectly fluffy and the skin is slightly crisp.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Scrub the sweet potatoes well under running water to remove any dirt. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
- Prick each sweet potato several times deeply all over with a fork. This allows steam to escape.
- Rub the entire surface of each potato with olive oil and then sprinkle evenly with coarse salt.
- Place the prepared sweet potatoes directly onto the middle oven rack. Do not use a baking sheet for the best skin crispness.
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your potatoes. They are done when the skin is slightly wrinkled and you can easily pierce the center with a fork with no resistance.
- Remove from the oven. Let them cool for 5 minutes before slicing them open lengthwise down the center. Gently squeeze the ends to fluff the interior flesh.
- Serve immediately with your preferred toppings.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, you can bake them directly on the oven rack without oil, but rubbing with oil helps the salt adhere and promotes browning.
- If you prefer a softer skin, wrap the potatoes loosely in aluminum foil before baking.
- To make twice-baked potatoes, scoop out the flesh after baking, mix with desired ingredients, and return to the skins to bake for 10 more minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium potato
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 0.3
- Saturated Fat: 0.0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3
- Trans Fat: 0.0
- Carbohydrates: 41
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 0