How to Bake a Sweet Potato

Baking a sweet potato is super easy and oh-so-delicious. With just a few simple steps, you can have a tender, sweet, and caramelized treat that's perfect as a side dish, for meal prepping, using in purees for baked dishes, and more. Here's How To Bake A Sweet Potato to perfection! Completely Vegan, Dairy-free + Gluten-free.

I'm excited to add more basic recipes to the site, and learning How to Bake a Sweet Potato is a must. They're so easy to make, with the oven doing most of the work!! While they bake, you can relax and do as you please! These baked sweet potatoes turn out silky-smooth, sweet, creamy + absolutely delicious.

I love using sweet potatoes in so many ways—making soup, serving them as a side dish, adding them to grain bowls for meal prep, using them in purees for baked dishes, and one of my favorites: loaded sweet potatoes, similar to my air-fryer baked potato recipe! Best of all, they only require 5 minutes of hands-on time!

If you're a big sweet potato lover and want more inspiration, definitely try my Best Loaded Sweet Potato Mash, Sweet Potato Berry Breakfast Boats, and Blender Maple Sweet Potato Pie next!

Jump to:

• Why You Will LOVE This Baked Sweet Potato Recipe
• Ingredients For Baked Sweet Potatoes
• How To Bake a Sweet Potato
• How To Use Baked Sweet Potatoes
• How To Pick The Best Sweet Potatoes
• Is Sweet Potato a Healthy Carb?
• Baked Sweet Potato Q + A's
• More Easy + Basic Recipes
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• How to Bake a Sweet Potato

Why You Will LOVE This Baked Sweet Potato Recipe

• Just a few simple steps, and the oven does most of the work.
• Perfect for side dishes, soups, grain bowls, purees + more.
• Packed with vitamins, fiber + antioxidants.
• Silky-smooth + creamy all the way through.
• Great for making ahead and using throughout the week.

Ingredients For Baked Sweet Potatoes

• Orange flesh sweet potatoes. You can also use Japanese sweet potatoes or white flesh sweet potatoes.
• Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Spices. Pinch of cinnamon + nutmeg.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS SWEET POTATO RECIPE!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Sweet Potato recipe. Everything from my fave knives, pots, dutch ovens, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Bake a Sweet Potato

This recipe is incredibly straightforward, with just 2 main steps: preparation + cutting, followed by seasoning + baking.

PREP THE SWEET POTATOES:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
• Gather the sweet potatoes, rinse the skins, and poke a few holes all around them using a knife or fork.

BAKE THE SWEET POTATOES:

• Place the sweet potatoes side-by-side, rubbing each sweet potato with olive oil until fully coated and adding a few sprinkles of cinnamon + nutmeg, if desired. NOTE: Adding the spices will allow them to infuse in potatoes as they bake due to the holes.
• Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until their insides begin to bubble outwardly and they become super tender once tested with a fork or knife. Remove from oven and let cool until easily handled when cutting them open and scooping out the flesh.
• You can serve them immediately with a bit of butter in the center or stuff them with your favorite ingredients for a nice meal.

IF MAKING SWEET POTATO PUREE:

• Using a food processor or blender, puree the flesh of the sweet potato along with a bit of water or veggie stock (about ¼ cup or so), until smooth. You can either use this immediately in whatever sweet potato recipe you'd like, store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

How To Use Baked Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Sweet Potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be transformed by your choice of seasonings and spices. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• As a side dish. Baked sweet potatoes make an excellent side dish + it pairs wonderfully with roasted meats. Try it with Jerk Whole Roast Chicken or a Pan seared steak!
• Loaded potatoes. Choose your fave toppings and enjoy!
• In soups. Mash or blend the roasted sweet potato to create a creamy, velvety base for soups. It adds such a depth of flavor and a luscious texture!
• Salads + bowls. Cut up and toss into salads or grain bowls for added sweetness, color, and nutrition. It's a great way to elevate your salad game.
• Breakfast Boats! Try my Sweet Potato Berry Breakfast Boats for a healthy breakfast.
• For Purees. Use them in purees for baked dishes and desserts. Try this 1-Layer Maple Sweet Potato Cake or Blender Maple Sweet Potato Pie!

How To Pick The Best Sweet Potatoes

Choosing the perfect sweet potatoes ensures the best flavor + texture! Here are some tips:

• Look for smooth skin. Choose sweet potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Even color. Opt for sweet potatoes with an even, vibrant color.
• Firm to the touch. Select sweet potatoes that are firm and free of soft spots.
• Medium size. Medium-sized sweet potatoes tend to cook more evenly.
• Avoid sprouts!! Stay away from sweet potatoes with sprouts or signs of aging.
• Organic. Consider organic sweet potatoes for a more natural choice.

Is Sweet Potato a Healthy Carb?

Yes, sweet potatoes are a super healthy carb! They're loaded with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them a great choice for your diet. Unlike simple carbs, sweet potatoes give you long-lasting energy without the sugar crash.

Plus, they're rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. Whether you're roasting, mashing, or baking them, sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy your carbs!

Baked Sweet Potato Q + A's

More Easy + Basic Recipes

If you loved learning How to Bake a Sweet Potato and want to learn more easy + basic recipes try these next:

• Easy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
• How to Roast Butternut Squash
• How to Make Vegan Ranch Dressing
• How to Make Quick Pickled Vegetables
• How To Make Chocolate Oat Milk 
• How To Make Crispy Seasoned French Fries
• Easy Shredded Chicken 

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this How to Bake a Sweet Potato recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

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