If you’re looking for an easy side dish to add some nutrient-dense flavor to any meal, we highly recommend adding soft, fluffy, and perfectly baked sweet potatoes. A baked sweet potato as a side dish is a great choice that adds color, nutrients, and is incredibly easy to bake when you follow our fail-proof method.
(Looking for how to make sweet potatoes in your Instant Pot? Check out our Instant Pot Sweet Potato Recipe for more details on that method.)
Highlights: Baked Sweet Potato Recipe
Our oven-roasted sweet potatoes make for an excellent meal prep staple. They can easily be baked ahead, refrigerated, then reheated when on the menu to save you time later in the week.
Not only are they fantastic for meal prep and nutrient-dense, sweet potatoes also make for both a side and a main dish depending on your preparation method and the toppings you choose. They’re one of the most versatile foods on our weekly menu.
Sweet or Savory Oven-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet taste with soft and fluffy baked insides. Depending on the toppings you choose, you can make a sweet treat or a savory side dish.
Adding a small pat of butter, a sprinkle of sea salt or kosher salt, and a crack of coarse ground black pepper is our all-time favorite way of topping baked sweet potatoes for lightly sweet yet savory flavor.
Other sweet and savory topping options to consider for the best sweet potatoes:
- Sour cream or plain yogurt
- Fresh herbs such as Chives
- A sprinkle of seasonings and spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cinnamon
- Taco meat, sloppy joes, bbq chicken or pork
- Maple syrup or honey
- Nut butter (such as almond butter or peanut butter) plus a few chocolate chips
Ingredients for Baked Sweet Potatoes
To make the perfect, no-fuss baked sweet potato recipe every time, all you’ll need is:
- Sweet potatoes: Choose a sweet potato that is medium-sized, has no soft spots, and is solid and heavy (softer, hollow-feeling sweet potatoes are past their prime). Organic sweet potatoes can be found in most grocery stores and farmer’s markets.
- Coconut oil: You can use avocado oil, olive oil, or melted butter in place of coconut oil.
- Sea salt: Use your choice of coarse sea salt, kosher salt, or fine sea salt
Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Bake Sweet Potatoes
If you follow our easy, step-by-step instructions, you can’t go wrong!
Our fail-proof recipe for perfectly baked sweet potatoes uses the same tried-and-true method we use for regular baked potatoes. No fuss, no muss, always crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. The following instructions translate to baking yams and russet potatoes as well.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes under running water using a scrub brush if needed to reach every crevice. Be sure to scrub away any dirt to be able to enjoy the potato skins after baking as well. Pat very dry.
- Rub each sweet potato with your choice of oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a fork easily pierces through the skin. Baking time varies by altitude and oven.
- Remove from the oven and serve or let cool completely, place in a covered container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days for a meal prep option.
For serving size and the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories (kcals), protein, carbohydrates/carb, fiber, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and more per serving.
Tip!
Do I Have to Use Oil on My Sweet Potatoes?
Oiling the sweet potatoes then sprinkling them with salt isn’t necessary. However, if you’ve spent the extra money on an organic potato, you’ll probably want to eat the peel. A crisp, salty sweet potato skin cannot be accomplished without the oil and salt.
Plus, what your mother told you is true: There are lots of vitamins and minerals (and fiber) in that delicious skin. So eat up and enjoy!
How to Store Crispy Skin Baked Sweet Potato Recipe
When waiting 45-60 minutes for baked sweet potatoes isn’t an option, simply bake ahead and reheat. We love to bake up our sweet potatoes on meal prep day and store them in the fridge when we know we’ve got a busy week ahead.
- To reheat: warm them in the microwave for 20-second increments until the right temperature is achieved for you. Or place your cold sweet potato in a covered skillet with a bit of water, and set over medium-high eat until warmed through.
No matter how you reheat it, the skin will not be as crisp as it was coming fresh out of the oven (you’ve been warned!). Plan to savor at least one sweet potato straight out of the oven for the maximum crispy skin effect.
Leftover sweet potatoes are fabulous for mashed sweet potatoes or to be used in a sweet potato casserole or sweet potato pancakes.
How To Meal Prep Baked Sweet Potatoes
Prepare the sweet potatoes as directed in the recipe card below, then allow them to cool completely before placing in a covered container. Place in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How To Warm Up Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes
To warm up the sweet potatoes, place desired amount in the microwave and heat for 35-40 second bursts until heated through.
For stovetop, place in a skillet with a small amount of water (about 2 tablespoons for 1 medium sweet potato), place lid on skillet, and heat over medium-high heat until heated through.
Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
Yes, sweet potatoes are incredibly healthy, nutrient-dense root vegetables. Here at The Real Food Dietitians, we love our sweet potatoes and add them to our weekly menu.
Including sweet potatoes in your diet can offer these fantastic health benefits:
- Rich in vitamins: Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, which support overall health and immune function.
- Great source of beta carotene: Evident by their rich orange color, sweet potatoes are a great source of beta carotene (a nutrient that the body converts into vitamin A), which promotes healthy vision.
- High in fiber: The fiber in sweet potatoes aids digestion, promotes a feeling of fullness, and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
- Antioxidant powerhouse: Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, which may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Heart health: The potassium content in sweet potatoes can help regulate blood pressure and promote cardiovascular health.
- Anti-inflammatory: They contain properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Good for vision: Beta-carotene in sweet potatoes is essential for good vision and may reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.
- Weight management: Their fiber and low-calorie content can aid in weight management and healthy eating.
- Bone health: Sweet potatoes provide calcium and magnesium, vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones.
- Natural sweetness: They can satisfy sweet cravings in a healthier way compared to sugary snacks.
- Digestive health: The fiber and antioxidants in sweet potatoes promote a healthy gut and may reduce the risk of digestive issues.
How To Serve Baked Sweet Potatoes
We’ve all had the traditional Thanksgiving side dish of sweet potatoes topped with gooey marshmallows, butter, and brown sugar. Thankfully, our perfectly baked sweet potatoes are a delicious treat without any added sugar.
Below, we’ve compiled several healthy options for you to top your perfect baked sweet potatoes with some new recipes sure to satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1–2 teaspoons coconut oil (may substitute olive oil, avocado oil, melted butter)
- Coarse or fine salt
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Wash the potatoes and pat dry.
- Rub the potatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Place potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake 45-60 minutes or until fork-tender.
- Remove baking sheet from the oven and serve.
- Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Notes
Do not pierce the flesh of the potatoes with a fork or knife before baking. This will cause the flesh to leak from the skin and burn on the pan.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1 medium
- Calories: 155
- Fat: 2 g
- (Sat Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Carbohydrate: 30 g
- (Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 10 g)
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Dietary
© The Real Food Dietitians
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best temperature to bake a sweet potato?
The best temperature to bake a sweet potato is 375 degrees.
Is it better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking?
It is not better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking, especially if you like a crispy, caramelized skin.
Do you have to poke holes in sweet potatoes when baking?
You do not need to poke holes in sweet potatoes when baking. In fact, we recommend against it to prevent the insides from leaking out.
For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
