One Baked Sweet Potato, Endless Possibilities (original) (raw)

baked sweet potatoes pin image

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite budget buys, and since we’re smack dab in the middle of sweet potato season, I thought it was time for a quick little tutorial on how to bake a sweet potato. There’s nothing I like more than taking advantage of in-season produce to save money. Once you start thinking outside the box with baked sweet potatoes, you’ll begin to love them for their versatile and filling budget-friendly power!

Close up overhead shot of baked sweet potatoes with butter.

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“Tasty and easy recipe to follow! This one will work for everyone. I love butter, brown sugar, and a touch of salt.”

Kae

easy baked sweet potatoes recipe

There’s nothing easier to bake than sweet potatoes. With just a simple dab of butter, some salt, and pepper, I can create the easiest and tastiest side dish that pretty much goes with any meal. Perfect for meal prep, I can easily get a few baked and ready to reheat during the week as a side dish, or as a base for a main dish loaded with delicious toppings.

Though this recipe is the perfect way to prepare sweet potatoes as a side, if you’ve never considered sweet potatoes a main dish, you don’t know what you’re missing. I love using sweet potatoes as a base for nourishing toppings like beef, beans, or chicken—turning them from a simple side into a hearty, satisfying meal.

The only downside to baked sweet potatoes is that they can take a while to bake, depending on their size. And, I don’t know about you, but on a busy weeknight, I’m not waiting an hour for a potato to bake. So, sometimes I like to par-cook them in the microwave first. I prick the sweet potato all over with a fork, then microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. I then let it finish baking in the oven. This will cut the baking time roughly in half.

While you can usually find sweet potatoes in grocery stores year-round, they are in season during the fall and winter months and that’s when you’re likely to get the best prices. So when they drop down to a dollar or so per pound, it’s time to start baking those sweet potatoes!

baked sweet potatoes pin image

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Cost 7.33recipe/7.33 recipe / 7.33recipe/1.83 serving

Baked sweet potatoes are an easy and inexpensive way to bulk up any meal. Serve them as a side dish or as the base to your favorite meal!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

close up of a baked sweet potato with butter.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Serving: 1potatoCalories: 329kcal (16%)Carbohydrates: 69g (23%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 4g (6%)Sodium: 510mg (22%)Fiber: 10g (42%)

The nutrition data is automatically calculated using all ingredients listed on the recipe card, including any listed as optional. Percentages are of daily value.

How to Make baked Sweet Potatoes Step-by- Step Photos

Sweet potatoes being pricked with a fork.

Prepare the sweet potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Wash your sweet potatoes well, then pat them dry with a towel. Use a fork to prick the sweet potatoes several times to allow for the steam to escape as they bake, so they don’t explode in the oven.

Sweet potatoes on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Place the sweet potatoes on the baking pan: Place the sweet potatoes on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet. Sweet potatoes tend to ooze their sweet sugary juices while baking, which can make a mess of your baking sheet.

Fork sliding easily into the sweet pototo.

Bake: Bake the sweet potatoes for 45 minutes, then check for doneness. When the sweet potato is fully cooked, a knife or fork should be able to slide into the sweet potato without resistance. You can also check by shielding your hand with a towel and squeezing the sweet potato. It should be very soft. The skin will usually look wrinkled and you should see juices oozing out.

Baked sweet potatoes on the baking sheet.

If not done, bake for 10 more minutes and then check again. The total bake time will vary depending on the size of the sweet potato.

Sweet potatoes being sliced open with a knife.

Cool: Let the sweet potatoes cool for 5 minutes, then slice them open down the center.

Sweet potatoes being mashed in their skins.

Mash: I like to mash the insides a bit with a fork before topping.

Baked sweet potatoes topped with butter, salt, and pepper.

Season: Top with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favorite toppings. Enjoy warm, or refrigerate for later. I find baked sweet potatoes are awesome for meal prep!

How to Serve Baked Sweet Potatoes

The easiest way to serve a baked sweet potato is to just slice it open, top it with a pat of butter, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Simple, sweet, and easy. But why stop there? The possibilities are endless! Baked sweet potatoes make a filling and inexpensive base for meals, so try topping your sweet potato with some of these ingredients:

And that’s not all! After baking, you can scoop out the flesh and use that in soups, sauces, baked goods, casseroles, and more. Try using the mashed sweet potato in any recipe that calls for pumpkin purée. Or, you could go one step further and make twice baked sweet potatoes!

Storage and Reheating

Store baked sweet potatoes in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Or, the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. Note, once frozen and thawed, the texture may be slightly softer.

Sweet potatoes reheat well in the microwave, but if you want to crisp them out, it’s best to reheat them in the oven.

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Beth MoncelI’m a food lover, number cruncher, and meticulous budgeter. I love science and art, and the way they come together when I cook. I love to create, problem solve, and learn new things. Making great food is my passion, my purpose, and my favorite thing to share with others.More About Beth