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Foolproof Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes: Crispy Skin and Fluffy Inside

Two halves of perfectly baked sweet potatoes, fluffy inside and topped with coarse sea salt.
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Richard shares our simple, reliable method for baking sweet potatoes in the oven. You get perfectly caramelized skin and a soft, fluffy interior every time. This is the best sweet potato cooking method for a simple dinner side.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 8-10 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
  2. Scrub the sweet potatoes well under running water to remove any dirt. Dry them completely with a paper towel. This step helps achieve crispy skin.
  3. Pierce each sweet potato deeply 4 to 6 times all over using a sharp fork. This allows steam to escape and prevents the potato from bursting.
  4. Rub each sweet potato lightly with olive oil. Distribute the coarse salt and pepper evenly over the skins.
  5. Place the seasoned sweet potatoes directly onto the middle oven rack. Do not use foil or a baking sheet, as this traps steam and prevents the skin from crisping.
  6. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The exact oven baked sweet potatoes time depends on the size of your potatoes. They are done when the skin is slightly wrinkled and caramelized, and a knife slides easily into the center.
  7. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Let them cool for 5 minutes before slicing them open lengthwise down the center. Gently squeeze the ends to fluff the inside flesh.
  8. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • For extra fluffy baked sweet potatoes, after slicing them open, you can fluff the inside flesh with a fork and mix in a small pat of butter or a sprinkle of cinnamon before serving.
  • If you are meal prepping, you can bake these ahead of time. Store them whole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, then reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to eat.
  • To make twice baked sweet potatoes, scoop out the cooked flesh, mix it with your desired additions (like cheese, spices, or pecans), stuff it back into the skins, and bake for another 10 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/baked-sweet-potatoes-perfectly-crispy-skin/