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Foolproof Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes: Crispy Skin and Fluffy Inside

Two halves of fluffy baked sweet potatoes, seasoned and served on a white plate.
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Learn the simple, no-fuss method for baking sweet potatoes in the oven to achieve perfectly caramelized skin and a wonderfully soft, fluffy interior. This is the best sweet potato cooking method for an easy dinner side.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 8-10 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). You need a hot oven for crispy skin.
  2. Scrub the sweet potatoes well under running water to remove any dirt. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel; moisture prevents crisping.
  3. Pierce each sweet potato 4 to 6 times deeply with a fork or sharp knife. This lets steam escape and prevents them from exploding.
  4. Rub the entire surface of each potato with a small amount of olive oil. This helps the skin crisp up.
  5. Sprinkle the potatoes generously with coarse salt and pepper.
  6. Place the seasoned potatoes directly onto the middle oven rack. Do not use foil or a baking sheet underneath, as this traps steam and makes the skin soggy.
  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 the skin is slightly wrinkled and caramelized, and you can easily pierce the center with a knife with no resistance.
  9. Remove from the oven. Let them cool for 5 minutes before slicing them open lengthwise down the center. Gently squeeze the ends to fluff the inside flesh.
  10. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • For extra fluffy baked sweet potatoes, you can place a baking sheet on the rack below the potatoes to catch any drips, but avoid wrapping the potatoes themselves in foil.
  • If you want a twice baked sweet potatoes experience, scoop out the flesh after baking, mix it with butter and spices, and return it to the skins to bake for 10 more minutes.
  • These are great for sweet potato meal prep; they store well in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition

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