Baked sweet potato recipe

Listen to me, you donkey! If you are still serving soggy, pathetic tubers, you are doing it all wrong. A proper Baked sweet potato recipe isn’t just food; it is a masterpiece of texture and natural sweetness. We aren't making a bland Potato salad recipe today; we are creating something rustic, crispy, and absolutely stunning. You need high heat, quality oil, and a bit of discipline. Scrub those skins until they shine, season them like you actually care about flavor, and let the oven do the hard work. It is simple, it is elegant, and it is about time you learned how to cook a potato properly!

Ingredients for Baked sweet potato recipe

• Sweet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Optional toppings: butter, chopped scallions or chives, cooked bacon, and/or sour cream

Instructions to prepare Baked sweet potato recipe

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Don't even think about putting them in a cold oven!
2. Prepare the baking sheet: Line a rimmed sheet tray with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Work smart, not hard!
3. Prep the potatoes: Use the tines of a fork to prick each sweet potato 3 to 4 times. This stops them from exploding like a grenade. Place them in a single layer on the prepared sheet tray.
4. Season: Brush the potatoes all over with the olive oil and sprinkle them evenly with the kosher salt. Seasoning is life!
5. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 45 to 60 minutes. They are done when the skin is crispy and browned, and the tip of a paring knife slips easily into the center of the largest potato.
6. Rest and Serve: Let the potatoes cool for about 5 minutes. Split them open lengthwise and add your favorite toppings, such as a pat of butter, sour cream, or chives.

Baked sweet potato recipe Details

Prep Time: PT5M

Cook Time: PT1H

Total Time: PT1H5M

Servings: 4

Expert Tips

Substitutions for Baked sweet potato recipe

If you don't have olive oil, use avocado oil or melted ghee. For a different flavor profile, swap the kosher salt for smoked sea salt to give it a rustic, campfire finish that screams quality.

Errors to Avoid with Baked sweet potato recipe

Stop wrapping them in foil! If you wrap them, you're steaming them, not baking them. You'll end up with a wet, mushy mess instead of that gorgeous, crispy skin we're looking for. Also, don't forget to prick the skins, unless you want to spend your evening cleaning exploded potato off the oven walls.

Alternative Cooking of Baked sweet potato recipe

If you're in a rush, you can use an air fryer at 400°F for about 35-45 minutes. It circulates the air beautifully. For a smoky, outdoor version, bury them in hot coals at the edge of a fire until tender.

Frequently Asked Questions about Baked sweet potato recipe

Q1: Why is the skin on my sweet potato not crispy?

You probably didn't use enough oil or, even worse, you crowded the pan. The air needs to circulate. Give the potatoes space to breathe and turn up the heat!

Q2: Can I eat the skin of the baked sweet potato?

Of course you can! If you've scrubbed it properly and seasoned it well, the skin is the best part. It's packed with nutrients and flavor. Don't waste it!

Q3: How do I know when the sweet potato is perfectly cooked?

Don't guess! Use a paring knife or a skewer. It should slide into the thickest part of the potato with zero resistance, like a hot knife through butter. If it's firm, it's not done!