Scrub the sweet potato well to remove any leftover dirt. Be careful – you don't want to remove any of the skin. Dry them well. Too much moisture on the skin will affect the overall crispiness of a sweet potato in the oven.
Using a fork, poke holes in the sweet potato. This allows steam to escape as the potato cooks and ensures a fluffy, tender inside. It will also stop your sweet potatoes from exploding in the oven!
Place the sweet potatoes on a baking tray. Optionally, rub a little olive or coconut oil on the outside of the potato – this will give it wonderfully crispy skin.
Bake in the oven for 40-60 minutes, until tender. The size of your sweet potato will determine how long to cook it. When the sweet potatoes are cooked through, they'll start releasing caramelized juices, have slightly wrinkled skin, and can be easily pierced by a knife or fork. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing open and enjoying.
How to store
In The Fridge: Once your potatoes have cooled, transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.In The Freezer: Freeze for up to four months in a freezer-safe container or Ziplock bag. You can keep them whole or scoop out the insides and store. To Reheat: Place your baked sweet potatoes in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or the oven for 10-15 minutes at 400ºF/200ºC.
Video
Notes
Scrub Thoroughly: Getting rid of excess dirt – especially if they're fresh potatoes – will ensure an even cook and taste a lot better later.
Skip The Foil: While foil can help cook a baked potato, it won't give you crispy skin – and isn't going to reduce your cooking time.
Don't Skip The Poking Step: With the heat of the oven, potatoes are liable to explode if you don't give them somewhere to release their steam.
Bake On High: The high heat will give you a fluffy inside and a super crispy outside – a lower heat will make the outside soft.
Use Same Size Potatoes: This will ensure your baked sweet potatoes cook at the same time and prevent overcooking.
Check the blog post for ways to use leftover baked sweet potatoes.