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Foolproof Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes: Fluffy Inside, Crispy Skin

Two fluffy baked sweet potatoes, split open to show the bright orange interior, served on a white plate.
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Learn the simple, no-foil method to bake perfect sweet potatoes every time. You get a fluffy interior and wonderfully caramelized skin, making this the best sweet potato cooking method for a simple dinner side.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 8 ounces each)
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra crispy skin)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This high heat helps achieve that crispy skin.
  2. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water. Scrub the skin well to remove any dirt.
  3. Pat the potatoes completely dry with a paper towel. Moisture creates steam, which prevents crispy skin.
  4. Prick each sweet potato deeply 6 to 8 times all over using a sharp fork. This allows steam to escape during baking.
  5. For extra crispy skin, lightly rub the outside of each potato with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
  6. Place the prepared sweet potatoes directly onto the middle oven rack. Do not use foil; baking directly on the rack allows air to circulate for the best texture.
  7. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The exact oven baked sweet potatoes time depends on the size of your potatoes. Start checking at 45 minutes.
  8. The potatoes are done when you can easily pierce the thickest part with a fork with no resistance, and the skin looks slightly wrinkled and caramelized.
  9. Remove from the oven. Let them cool for 5 minutes before slicing them open lengthwise. Fluff the inside flesh gently with a fork.
  10. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • For a quick baked sweet potatoes option, you can reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and increase the baking time to about 75 minutes for very large potatoes.
  • If you plan on making twice baked sweet potatoes later, slightly underbake them (about 5 minutes less) so they hold up better when scooped out.
  • This method works well for sweet potato meal prep; store cooked potatoes in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/baked-sweet-potatoes-fluffy-crispy-skin/