How to Bake a Sweet Potato

If you’ve only ever had sweet potatoes in a pie or in a casserole, you might be missing out on their versatility. Learning how to bake a sweet potato is just one step towards rounding out your cooking repertoire. Baked sweet potatoes make a perfect side dish for nearly any dinner, no matter the occasion. In just a few easy steps, you’ll have a baked sweet potato on the table in no time!

Baking a Sweet Potato

Ingredients

• Sweet potato
• Toppings of your choice, like pecans, cinnamon butter or JET-PUFFED Mini Marshmallows

Tools

• Baking sheet pan*
• Foil or parchment paper
• Paring knife

Directions

• Heat the oven to 425°F.
• Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Baking sweet potatoes can be messy, and the foil or parchment will help with clean up.
• Wash and scrub the skins to remove any dirt and grit. Dry the sweet potato skins to get crispy skin.
• Poke holes in each potato with a paring knife. This helps release steam while baking to avoid an exploding sweet potato in the oven!
• Bake the sweet potatoes in the oven for about 1 hour or until fork tender—that is, stick a fork in the sweet potato, and if it slides right in, the potato is done.
• Cool and then spilt open to fluff with a fork. Top your sweet potato with a little salt and pepper and eat plain or add your preferred toppings!

Now that you know how to bake a sweet potato, use your new cooking skill to try recipes like Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, Double-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese or Cheesy BBQ Chicken-Sweet Potato Slices.

If you happen to be in a rush but still want tasty sweet potatoes try Microwaved Sweet Potatoes (almost no one will know you baked them in the microwave!) or Smoky Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.

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