Learn how long to bake sweet potatoes at 400 degrees to achieve fluffy, delicious sweet potatoes. Follow these step by step directions for baking the perfect sweet potato.
Sweet potatoes make a great side dish or even main meal. They can be prepared in many different ways like sliced, as sweet potato fries, and whipped.
But a simple baked sweet potato is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this amazing root vegetable.
Why this recipe works
- This is an easy sweet potato recipe using minimal, simple ingredients.
- An easy side dish that can be served sweet or savory.
- Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, vitamin B and C, and beta-carotene.
Ingredients needed
Sweet potatoes – If possible, try to choose potatoes that are close in size. This will help for even bake time.
Olive oil – This is an optional ingredient but helps to get crispy skin.
Salt and pepper – Seasoning is also optional.
How to bake sweet potatoes at 400 degrees
Step one: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. You could also use an oven safe baking dish.
Step two: Clean and scrub sweet potatoes to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with paper towels. Poke holes in the top of each potato and then place on the prepared sheet pan.
Step three: If using oil, brush the olive oil over sweet potatoes. Season with salt and pepper or other spices.
Step four: Put potatoes in oven and bake for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.
Step five: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before cutting open.
Recipe tips
- Don’t forget to poke holes in the sweet potatoes before baking. This helps the steam escape and prevents them from bursting open while baking.
- Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the potato.
- Using oil is not necessary. You also don’t need to wrap them in foil while baking.
- You will know they are done when you can easily pierce with a fork or knife.
How long to bake sweet potatoes
The bake time will depend on the size of the sweet potato. You will know they are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
It will take approximately 1 hour to bake a medium size sweet potato at 400 degrees F.
If the potato is small, check for doneness at the 45 minute mark.
If the potato is extra large, it could take up to 90 minutes to fully cook.
Best temperature to bake sweet potatoes
The best way to bake sweet potatoes is with a high oven temperature. 400 degrees works really well but you can even bake them at 425 degrees F to cook them a little faster.
How to serve
Toppings: These baked sweet potatoes are delicious on their own but are great with your favorite toppings like a little butter, cinnamon butter, sour cream, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, or even chili powder.
Stuffed: Try stuffing them with things like turkey chili, taco meat, BBQ chicken, or roasted veggies.
Other: Use the baked sweet potatoes in recipes like sweet potato casserole, sweet potato pie, even sweet potato bread.
How to store
Store: Have leftover sweet potatoes? Make sure to let the sweet potato completely cool. Wrap in foil and then place in an airtight container or storage bag. These are perfect for meal prep and will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freeze: Let completely cool. Wrap in foil and then place in a freezer safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: If frozen, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat, unwrap the sweet potatoes and place in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and place in a preheat oven at 400 degrees. Bake for about 45 minutes.
More potato recipes
How long to bake sweet potatoes at 400 degrees
Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt optional
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. You could also use an oven safe baking dish.
- Clean and scrub sweet potatoes to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with paper towels. Poke holes in the top of each potato and then place on the prepared sheet pan.
- If using oil, brush the olive oil over sweet potatoes. Season with salt and pepper or other spices.
- Put potatoes in oven and bake for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.
- Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before cutting open.
Kim Quinn
I also use olive oil. A drop on my hands and then rub the sweet potatoes all over. After rinsing my hands I sprinkle each side with found black pepper, a bit of pink salt and I sprinkle garlic or black garlic powder also. So delish!
You could also leave off the garlic and sprinkle with a bit of garam masala. Best of both worlds with that!