The secret to faster, perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes? Cut them in half! They roast quicker and get caramelized outsides with a soft, fluffy center.
Turn Baked Sweet Potatoes into a meal with one of these recipes: Mediterranean Sweet Potatoes, Loaded Sweet Potato, and Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
Baked Sweet Potatoes In Half The Time!
I love sweet potatoes, so it’s time I share the easiest way to bake them!
I first tried this with regular potatoes, then had to try it with sweet potatoes. It worked—and tasted amazing!
This recipe only needs four ingredients: sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can add any toppings you like (I’ll share ideas soon), but the base recipe is really simple.
Quick Tip
Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Their high fiber content makes them filling, and they taste great!
Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: Choose sweet potatoes that are firm, smooth, and free of cracks or soft spots.
- Olive Oil: Makes the potatoes crispy and flavorful. It also helps the seasoning stick.
- Salt and Pepper: Adds flavor, and the salt helps make them crispy.
How To Make Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat Oven: Set to 400°F.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line with parchment paper.
- Clean Potatoes: Scrub 4 sweet potatoes, dry, and cut in half.
- Season Potatoes: Place on the sheet, pierce skins, drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake: Bake flesh side down for 30-37 minutes, until tender.
How To Top Baked Sweet Potatoes
Here are some of my favorite easy ways to top your potatoes:
- Honey Butter: My favorite topping for a sweet finish.
- Sour Cream & Chives: For a tangy and creamy flavor.
- Cheese & Bacon: Perfect for a savory side!
- Meat: I love adding leftover chili or bolognese sauce on top.
- Black Beans & Corn: Great for a filling, Tex-Mex style potato.
FAQS
No, just pop them in the oven! It’s super easy.
Yes! The skin is safe to eat and full of fiber and potassium.
Yams are starchier and drier with rough skin, while sweet potatoes are sweeter with smoother, reddish skin. Learn more here.
They last 3-5 weeks. Baked sweet potatoes last 2-3 days in the fridge but can get soggy.
Storage
Baked sweet potatoes are best on the day they’re made and get softer over time. Let them cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. For longer storage, wrap them in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
- Kale Sweet Potato Salad with a basil-lemon dressing
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito Bowls my favorite vegetarian meal!
- Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets with taco-seasoned beef
- Farro Soup with sweet potatoes
- Sweet Potato Risotto made in the Instant Pot
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large, dark, sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. The parchment paper helps the potatoes cook evenly without the cut side getting too hard.
- Thoroughly scrub potatoes in cold water to remove all dirt and debris. Completely dry potatoes and cut them in half lengthwise.
- Place potatoes flesh-side down on sheet pan. Pierce the skin side of the potato 3 to 4 times with a fork. Flip potatoes flesh-side up. Drizzle oil over potatoes and take your time to rub the oil into both sides of the potatoes so all parts are covered. Evenly sprinkle 3/4 teaspoon salt over potatoes (3/4 teaspoon for all potatoes, not each). Add 1/8 teaspoon pepper to the flesh sides of potatoes. Flip again so potatoes are flesh-side down. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper over skins of the potatoes.
- Bake 30–37 minutes (depending on size of potatoes/personal preference for tenderness) until skin looks shriveled and potatoes are tender. A 5 to 6-ounce potato will cook in around 25–27 minutes, 6 to 8 ounce in around 30 minutes, and 9–11 ounce in around 33–37 minutes. Potatoes are done when a fork inserted into the biggest potato goes in easily. If not, bake 5 more minutes and repeat.
- Remove from oven and serve with your favorite toppings. I like a pat of butter and sprinkle of brown sugar with a little sea salt!
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love sweet potatoes with a bit of salt & cinnamon, some raisins and a drizzle of maple syrup or sprinkle of brown sugar!
Delish! Thanks for sharing Melissa!
These Sweet Potatoes are DELICIOUS.😋…Thanks so much for your recipe !! I will certainly be making these many times for my family…🥰
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Jacquelyn!
I love sweet potatoes with a bit of salt & cinnamon, some raisins and a drizzle of maple syrup or sprinkle of brown sugar!