Easy and Delicious Oven-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a versatile, healthy, and flavorful vegetable that can be cooked in many ways to suit any taste. Baking them in the oven is one of the easiest and most delicious ways of preparing them. With a few simple steps, a little prep time, and some patience, you can make perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside sweet potatoes that you’ll love.

Before we get started, there are a few things you need to know. Sweet potatoes come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, but the most common ones are the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. The skin of sweet potatoes is edible, and it contains beneficial nutrients, but you can peel it if you prefer. You can also season sweet potatoes with a variety of spices, herbs, or sweeteners to enhance their flavor. Let’s get to it and learn how to bake sweet potatoes in the oven.

How to Make Sweet Potatoes in Oven

If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious side dish to add to your dinner rotation, sweet potatoes are a great choice. They’re low in calories and packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. Plus, they’re easy to prepare! In this article, we’ll show you how to make sweet potatoes in the oven using our favorite methods and seasonings.

1. Choose the Right Sweet Potatoes

Before you start cooking, it’s important to select the right sweet potatoes. Look for sweet potatoes that are firm and have smooth skin. Avoid any that are soft, have bruises, or sprouts. Typically, you’ll want to choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size so they cook at the same rate.

2. Scrub and Rinse Sweet Potatoes

Once you’ve selected your sweet potatoes, it’s time to prep them for cooking. Scrub the skin of each potato with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt or debris. Rinse the sweet potatoes with cold water and pat them dry with a towel.

3. Cut Sweet Potatoes into Cubes or Wedges

There are a few different ways you can cut your sweet potatoes for roasting. If you’re looking for crispy sweet potato fries, cut them into wedges. For a quick and easy side dish, cube the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Just be sure to keep the size consistent so they cook evenly.

4. Toss Sweet Potatoes in Oil

To get that crispy texture on the outside of the sweet potatoes, you’ll want to toss them in oil. We recommend using olive oil or avocado oil since they have a high smoke point. You only need a few tablespoons of oil, but make sure that all the sweet potatoes are coated evenly.

5. Season with Spices and Herbs

Sweet potatoes are delicious on their own, but adding some seasonings and herbs can take them to the next level. You can use simple spices like salt and pepper, or try something more adventurous like cinnamon, cumin, or smoked paprika. Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme add a fragrant and savory flavor.

6. Lay Sweet Potatoes on a Baking Sheet

To cook the sweet potatoes evenly, you’ll want to lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Line the sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make clean-up easier. Be sure to leave some space between each sweet potato so they can crisp up.

7. Roast in Preheated Oven

When the sweet potatoes are ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F. Once the oven is heated, slide the baking sheet into the oven and roast the sweet potatoes for 25-30 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the sweet potatoes once or twice during cooking to prevent burning.

8. Check for Doneness

To check if the sweet potatoes are done, poke them with a fork or knife. If they are tender all the way through and have a crispy exterior, they’re ready to come out of the oven. If they’re still hard in the middle, put them back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes.

9. Serve Hot and Enjoy

When the sweet potatoes are done, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve them hot and enjoy as a healthy side dish with your favorite meal. You can also use roasted sweet potatoes in other recipes like salads or bowls.

10. Store Leftovers for Later

If you have leftover roasted sweet potatoes, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or oven and enjoy them as a quick and easy side dish throughout the week.

Getting the sweet potatoes ready

Now that you know what you need to make your sweet potatoes in the oven, it’s time to prepare them for cooking. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Wash the sweet potatoes: Make sure that you rinse the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. You can use a scrub brush if necessary.

2. Dry the sweet potatoes: After washing, pat the sweet potatoes dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess water that may cause steaming.

3. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes: Take a fork and prick the sweet potatoes on all sides. This will allow the steam to escape while the sweet potatoes are cooking and prevent them from bursting.

4. Add some oil: You can rub the sweet potatoes with some oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or any other vegetable oil) to give it a crispy outer layer.

5. Season the sweet potatoes: Seasoning the sweet potatoes with your favorite spices can add some extra flavor to the dish. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, or cinnamon.

6. Cut the sweet potatoes: If you prefer, you can slice the sweet potatoes into rounds or cubes. This will help the sweet potatoes cook faster and even more evenly.

7. Wrap them in foil: You can also wrap the sweet potatoes individually in aluminum foil before placing them in the oven. This will steam the sweet potatoes and make them extra tender.

8. Using a baking dish: Alternatively, you can place the sweet potatoes in a baking dish (coated with cooking spray) that is large enough to hold them without overlapping. This will give the sweet potatoes a little more of a crispy outer layer.

9. Adding honey or maple syrup: If you have a sweet tooth and want to add some extra sweetness, you can drizzle some honey or maple syrup over the sweet potatoes before placing them in the oven.

10. Pre-hydrate the sweet potatoes: To make sure the sweet potatoes come out extra tender, you can pre-hydrate them by soaking them in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes before cooking them in the oven. This is especially useful if you are using older or tougher sweet potatoes.

Once you have prepared your sweet potatoes, it’s time to cook them. Keep reading to learn about how to bake them in the oven.

How to Season Sweet Potatoes for the Oven

One of the best things about cooking sweet potatoes in the oven is the various seasoning options available. Here are some simple yet delicious ways to season your sweet potatoes:

1. Classic Seasoning

For a classic seasoning, sprinkle your sweet potatoes with a mixture of salt, pepper, and olive oil. Then, add any additional flavors you might like such as garlic, onion powder, or paprika.

2. Cinnamon Seasoning

If you have a sweet tooth, cinnamon seasoning is perfect for you. Mix together cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and butter and drizzle the mixture over your sweet potatoes. This seasoning will give your sweet potatoes a warm, cozy taste.

3. Spicy Seasoning

For those who like a little heat, try a spicy seasoning. Mix together chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt and rub onto your sweet potatoes. This seasoning option will add some kick to your meal.

4. Herbs Seasoning

If you love the taste of herbs, try using thyme or rosemary for your sweet potatoes. Simply sprinkle the herbs over your sweet potatoes along with some kosher salt and black pepper.

5. Honey Glazed Seasoning

Sweet potatoes and honey make an excellent combination. Mix together honey, butter, cinnamon, and salt and drizzle over your sweet potatoes before cooking. The end result will be a delicious caramelized glaze on top of your sweet potatoes.

No matter which seasoning option you choose, the key to perfecting your sweet potatoes in the oven is ensuring that they are cooked thoroughly. That can be achieved by slicing them thinly and evenly, and baking for 20 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In summary, these seasoning options are the perfect way to add some variety and flavor to your sweet potatoes. With these techniques and methods, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious meal in no time!

Time to Dig In!

We hope this article has been helpful in showing you just how easy it is to make delicious sweet potatoes in the oven. With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a nutritious and mouth-watering side dish in no time. So grab your apron, preheat that oven, and get cooking! Thanks for reading, and come back again soon for more practical and tasty recipes. Happy eating!