Last updated on August 9th, 2022 at 02:37 pm
Baked white potatoes are delicious, but they’re a thing of the past when you bring baked sweet potatoes into the equation.
Sweet potatoes are not only delicious, but they are an incredibly healthy complex carbohydrate designed to keep you fuller for longer. Not only this, but sweet potatoes are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, and more!
Problem is, not many people know that you can bake sweet potatoes and enjoy them just like a baked white potato. The way to bake sweet potatoes perfectly is also largely unknown, despite the recipe being surprisingly easy.
So, if you’re wondering how to make baked sweet potatoes, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our guide on how to make the perfect baked sweet potatoes!
Baked Sweet Potato Recipe
Let’s put the record straight – here’s the best way to bake a sweet potato!
Step 1: Preheat The Oven
Before you start anything, make sure to preheat the oven to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, or 220 degrees Celsius. Leave this to preheat for at least 10 minutes or until the oven is ready.
Step 2: Wash The Potato
Make sure to clean the sweet potato under cold, fresh water. Not everyone eats the skin of a baked sweet potato, but you don’t want to accidentally chomp down onto gritty, dirty potato skin regardless.
Step 3: Prick The Potato
As with a regular white potato, you’ll need to prick the sweet potato before baking it. Not only does this help to provide an even bake and speed up the baking process, but it also prevents the potato from bursting inside the oven.
Step 4: Place On Prepared Baking Tray
Prepare the baking tray with either aluminum foil or baking paper to prevent the sweet potato from sticking to the tray. Place the potato on the prepared baking tray.
If you use aluminum foil, you can curl the edges slightly upwards to prevent the juices from leaking.
Step 5 (Optional): Season And Oil The Potato
Baked sweet potatoes typically need to be left completely dry because people will often avoid eating the skin. However, if you wish to eat the skin (which is totally safe to eat), then you can make it crispy and tasty with a splash of oil, salt, and pepper. You can also season the skin with smoked paprika, which works beautifully with the sweetness of the potato.
Step 6: Bake
Now, bake the potato in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes. After this time, you need to check the texture of the potato by sticking a knife or fork into it.
If the potato is soft and fluffy, then it’s fully baked. If the potato has some resistance to it, then it needs to be baked slightly longer.
The baking time will depend on the temperature of the oven, the preheating time, the size of the potato, and the strength of the oven.
Step 7: Serve
Now’s the fun part. Take out the baked potato and leave it to sit for a minute in the cool air. Then, slice it down the middle and fill the middle with a nice chunk of salted butter. You can then serve the potato however you like – whether it’s with a yummy filling or by itself.
Baking A Sweet Potato In A Microwave
If you don’t have an hour to bake a sweet potato in the oven, then you can bake it in the microwave. You need to wrap the potato in paper towels and keep it in a bowl, then microwave for 4-6 minutes until the insides are soft. It’s not the tastiest way to eat a baked potato, but it’s certainly the fastest.
Baked Sweet Potato Toppings
You can afford to get creative with baked sweet potato toppings and fillings. However, you might want to think twice about using the same fillings as you would with a white baked potato.
This is because white baked potatoes taste very different to sweet potatoes, so you want to work with the sweetened flavor.
Fortunately, there’s a bountiful variety of toppings that are ideal for baked sweet potatoes. Here are just a handful of toppings you can make:
- Roasted chickpeas and tahini sauce
- Broccoli and melted cheese
- Greek salad (crumbled feta, olives, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, and balsamic vinaigrette)
- Yogurt and vegetables
- Yogurt and meat
- Chili oil and sliced cucumbers
- Bolognese
The key to making a delicious baked sweet potato is to utilize the sweetness of the potato to your advantage. So, if you want something more interesting than melted butter on a baked sweet potato, then try new combinations of flavors.
Sweet and spicy, sweet and savory, and creamy and savory work brilliantly with the sweet flavor.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! Turns out, baking a sweet potato isn’t really that different from baking a white potato. If anything, it’s a healthier and tastier alternative!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Bake Sweet Potatoes At 400 Degrees?
It will take between 45 and 60 minutes to bake a sweet potato at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The baking time will depend on the strength of the oven, how long you preheat the oven for, and the size of the potato – as bigger sweet potatoes are inevitably going to take longer to bake compared to smaller sweet potatoes.
Can You Eat Sweet Potato Skin?
Yes, you can eat sweet potato skin! In fact, it’s actually encouraged to eat the skin of a sweet potato, as it offers a range of nutritional benefits.
The skin is filled in antioxidants and fiber, making it ideal for those with digestive problems to promote a healthy gut. Also, sweet potatoes are complex carbohydrates, leaving you fuller for longer, which is ideal for weight loss.
Not only this, but sweet potato skin is very tasty depending on how you cook it. When you bake a sweet potato, drizzle the skin with a layer of oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. This will encourage the skin to crisp up, making it very tasty to eat.
