Baked Sweet Potato
A simple, healthy, and delicious baked sweet potato recipe that combines natural sweetness with a fluffy texture, perfect for any meal. Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, rich in nutrients, and versatile with customizable toppings to suit sweet or savory preferences.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Total Time: 55-70 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan (if toppings are vegan)
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized fresh sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley, cilantro)
- Chili powder
- Honey
- Black beans
- Cheese
- Green onions
- Coconut oil
- Nutritional yeast
- Fried egg
- Avocado
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures the sweet potatoes cook through evenly with a nicely crisped skin.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt. Pat them dry, then pierce several holes with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Season and Oil the Skin: Lightly rub each sweet potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. This will create a flavorful, slightly crispy skin as it bakes.
- Bake Until Tender: Place the sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces through the flesh.
- Add Your Favorite Toppings: Once done, let them cool slightly before slicing open and adding any toppings you love, from sweet cinnamon butter to savory cheese and herbs.
Notes
- Choose similar-sized potatoes to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Use a fork, not a knife, to pierce the sweet potatoes to prevent juices from escaping.
- Do not wrap sweet potatoes in foil to allow the skin to crisp up nicely.
- Test for doneness by inserting a fork or skewer; the flesh should be tender all the way through.
- Let the potatoes rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep the texture fluffy and moist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium sweet potato
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: baked sweet potato, healthy recipe, vegan, gluten free, comfort food, easy baked potato