There are endless recipes that call for sweet potatoes! Sweet Potato Casserole, sweet potato pie or roasted sweet potatoes are all delicious options!

I have to admit though that, while I love these dishes, I love a simple baked sweet potato topped with a little bit of butter and sour cream even more!

Sweet Potato (or Yam?)

Sweet potatoes are a starchy and sweet-tasting root vegetable and similar to a regular potato they can be boiled, fried or baked.

Many people mistake sweet potatoes for yams. While both are root vegetables, there is a difference between sweet potatoes and yams. Sweet potatoes have a general shape and size of a regular potato, but the ends come to a bit of a point. Yams, however, are narrower and more cylindrical in shape. Often sweet potatoes are labeled as yams in supermarkets, leading to more confusion!

The sweet potato is a nutritional powerhouse; they are a good source of fiber, vitamins such as Vitamin B and C, as well as minerals like calcium and potassium. They are also known for their antioxidant, beta-carotene which helps with healthy skin, helps with our immunity and overall good health.

How to Store Sweet Potatoes

Raw Sweet Potatoes: Raw sweet potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, dry and well-ventilated place. Avoid storing them in a refrigerator as this changes the cell structure of the potato making them take longer to cook and affecting the flavor.

Cooked Sweet Potatoes: Once cooked, you can store sweet potatoes just like any other potato. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or you can freeze them for 3-4 months in an airtight container.

How to Bake Sweet Potatoes

Learning how to bake sweet potatoes in the oven is one of the easiest things to do!

  • Foil: You can cook them in foil but don’t have to (I prefer a crisper skin so I don’t bother with foil).
  • Prep: Season and poke the sweet potato with a fork a few times (to allow steam to escape).
  • Bake: for about 1 hour or until tender when the sweet potato is pierced with a fork.

If you use the flesh in another recipe, you can allow it to cool completely and then peel the skin off.

How to Bake Sweet Potatoes in Foil: Use the exact method as above wrapping in foil before cooking. The skin will be softer if foil wrapped.

How Long to Bake Sweet Potatoes

A higher oven temperature when making baked sweet potatoes gives a crisper exterior.

If you have other items in the oven, like Oven Fried Chicken or Lemon Roast Chicken, the temperature will be at 375°F which is what I bake sweet potatoes at.  If you’re cooking at a different temperature, adjust to the cooking times below.

Baked Sweet Potato Cooking Times

  • 350°F 60 to 75 minutes
  • 375°F 50 to 60 minutes
  • 400°F 40 to 50 minutes

Keep in mind sweet potatoes can vary in size which can change the cooking time slightly. You’ll want to make sure they’re soft when poked with a fork.

Sweet potatoes are such a versatile vegetable and can be used in many recipes.

What do you put on a baked sweet potato if you choose to enjoy it by itself? I like to top it just like I would top a regular baked potato. A little butter and sour cream is so delicious!

Other Toppings for Baked Sweet Potatoes:

  • Butter, cinnamon, brown sugar
  • Pulled pork, corn and cheddar
  • Ground Beef Taco Meat and all the taco fixin’s
  • Marshmallows, pecans and butter (cut the sweet potato and allow them to melt)
  • Buffalo Shredded Chicken – The spice is amazing with sweet potatoes!

More Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love

  • Easy Baked Zucchini – Summertime favorite
  • Roasted Root Vegetables – Sweet and flavorful
  • Sweet Potato Salad – Best ever bbq side dish!
  • Twice Baked Potatoes – Make ahead and freeze
  • Roasted Butternut Squash – Leftovers are delicious in salads

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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