We love sweet potato, it’s soft and fluffy, and when it is just started to caramelize it’s perfect comfort food. When it comes to autumn or the fall and holiday season, our guests always ask for a baked sweet potato, it just seems to go with everything, and it doesn’t matter how many we make, they always get eaten!
Why you’ll love our baked sweet potato
- With little prep time, they are so easy to make!
- Kids love to help prepare baked sweet potatoes or jacket sweet potato as it’s called in the UK!
- They are perfect for game nights, holiday dishes and are pure comfort food.
- They’re really flexible and you can add all of your favorite potato toppings to them!
- They are 100% vegetarian and vegan!
How to pick the best sweet potatoes
With all the sweet potatoes to choose from, how can you be sure that you’ve picked the best?
When making our baked sweet potatoes, we always recommend choosing sweet potatoes that have red or orange-colored skin, these are the sweeter varieties of potatoes.
Look for small to medium sweet potatoes that are firm, and have no cracks or bruises on their skin, these will be sweeter and creamier and will make the perfect baked sweet potato.
Nothing says colder nights than when you start to bake sweet potatoes, they are so sweet, creamy, and delicious. Perfect straight out of the oven with a nob of butter or add toppings to make a tasty main meal.
Why do you prick potatoes with a fork when oven baking them?
The reason your prick sweet potatoes before they are placed in the oven is because sometimes, they can explode.
If you prick a sweet potato, it allows the hot steam to be released from the potato.
It’s rare but you don’t want to risk baked sweet potato all over your oven!
So always prick your oven-baked sweet potatoes!
Can you eat the skin of a sweet potato that is baked?
Yes, you can!
The skin is delicious, especially if you prick sweet potatoes as where the holes have been made, the sweet potato oozes out and starts to caramelize, it’s one of our favorites parts of the potato!
When should you not eat sweet potatoes?
If they are turning black if they have mould growing on them, and if they start to get really soft to the touch.
If your sweet potatoes are like this, then they are past their best and won’t make the best baked sweet potatoes, so use other fresher ones.
Do you have to rub oil onto the skin of a sweet potato?
To keep our baked sweet potato recipe as healthy as we can, we don’t rub oil onto the skin, and we think the potato is delicious!
Some people rub olive oil, coconut oil, or even avocado oil on to make crispy skin.
What should I serve with sweet potatoes?
One of the reasons we love sweet potatoes is that they go with so many different dishes.
Serve them up as part of a thanksgiving meal or Christmas dinner or enjoy them at a fireworks display on a cold night.
Here are some ideas for what to serve your baked sweet potatoes with:
- Serve as a main meal with a tasty topping like BBQ beans, chili or Bolognese sauce.
- Serve as a side dish alongside of a vegan burger, vegetarian stew or nut roast.
- Serve it as a tasty snack and keep it simple and just add a nob of butter, sour cream and chives.
- Spice it up and add a little chili powder to your sweet potatoes!!
- Have a sweetness overload with your baked sweet potatoes add marshmallows and brown sugar!
If you love sweet food, take a look at these air fryer cookies!
How do I store oven baked sweet potatoes?
Store your baked sweet potatoes in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze baked sweet potatoes for up to 12 months.
More ways to cook sweet potatoes
- Roast sweet potato halves.
- Make oven baked sweet potato fries.
- Make sweet potato mash.
- Cook a delicious sweet potato casserole.
- More sweet potato recipes coming soon!
Recipe notes and tips
- Don’t forget your baking sheet!
Always line your rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, when baked sweet potato oozes out, it can be difficult to clean your sheet. - It’s all about the holes!
Don’t forget to poke holes in your sweet potato, they may explode if you don’t!
How to make perfect baked sweet potato with step-by-step instructions
Full measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the printable recipe card below.
Making our baked sweet potato recipe is so simple when you follow our easy instructions!
Preheat your oven to 220°C/425°F and place a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil on a rimmed baking sheet.
Wash your sweet potatoes with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt and then pat dry them.
Using a fork, prick holes in your sweet potatoes.
Place them into the oven and bake for 40 – 60 minutes.
When your baked sweet potatoes are cooked, they will puff up, pierce with a fork should easily pierce the skin and they should be soft inside.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately with vegan butter, sea salt, a sprinkling of chives, or your favorite topping.
Enjoy your delicious sweet baked potatoes!
We hope that you enjoy cooking our baked sweet potato and would love to hear how you got on with it.
Please leave a comment or feel free to ask a question below.
More easy vegetarian recipes for you to try
- Mushroom risotto – absolutely delicious and bursting full of nutty mushrooms, this makes another tasty side dish!
- Cheesy pasta al forno – this gets eaten in moments in our family, it’s such comfort food and a tasty holiday side dish!
- Chickpea burger – tuck into to a satisfying veggie burger full of flavor and perfect to pair with your baked sweet potato!
- Cauliflower cheese – no holiday dinner is complete without a side of cauliflower cheese!
Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, for more tasty inspiration!
EASY BAKED SWEET POTATO
Utensils
Ingredients
- 1 Sweet potato
- 1 Knob of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sprinkle of chives
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220°C/425°F and place a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil on a rimmed baking sheet
- Wash your sweet potatoes with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt and then pat dry them. Using a fork, prick holes in your sweet potatoes. Place them into the oven and bake for 40 – 60 minutes1 Sweet potato
- When your baked sweet potatoes are cooked, they will puff up, pierce with a fork should easily pierce the skin and they should be soft inside. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with butter, salt and pepper, a sprinkling of chives or your favorite topping1 Knob of butter, Salt and pepper, Sprinkle of chives
- Enjoy your delicious sweet baked potatoes!
Notes
- Don’t forget your baking sheet!
Always line your rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, when baked sweet potato oozes out, it can be difficult to clean your sheet - It’s all about the holes!
Don’t forget to poke holes in your sweet potato, they may explode if you don’t!
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
Did you make this recipe?
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Anjali says
Love this super simple recipe for baked sweet potato! We served this up as a side dish for dinner tonight and it was a hit with everyone – even my picky kids!~
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
Oh, that’s wonderful to hear that the kids enjoyed the sweet potato!
Dannii says
You can’t beat a fluffy sweet potato. So many topping ideas too!
sonia says
Very interesting article and explained in detail.
I am cooking baked sweet potatoes tonight!
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
We hope you enjoy them!
The Sudden Cook says
So so healthy – Can’t wait to try these ! Thanks for all the tips too:)
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
You’re more than welcome, let us know how you get on with your baked sweet potatoes!
Tavo says
I made this today and they were soo yummy, I think the chives gave the dish a very nice touch! Thanks for sharing!
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
You’re welcome and we’re pleased that you enjoyed cooking them.