how long and what temp to bake a sweet potato

The baking time and temperature for a sweet potato depends on the size and how tender you want it. Here’s a general guide:

For a standard-sized sweet potato (about 8-10 ounces):

• Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
• Time: 45-60 minutes

For larger sweet potatoes (over 10 ounces):

• Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
• Time: 60-75 minutes

For smaller sweet potatoes (under 8 ounces):

• Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
• Time: 35-45 minutes

Here’s how to bake a sweet potato:

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash & Clean: Wash the sweet potato thoroughly and scrub the skin.
3. Poke: Use a fork to poke several holes all over the sweet potato. This allows steam to escape and prevents it from exploding.
4. Optional: Oil & Season: If desired, lightly rub the sweet potato with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake: Place the sweet potato directly on the oven rack.
6. Check for Doneness: The sweet potato is done when it is soft and easily pierced with a fork. If the sweet potato is still firm, continue baking it for a few more minutes and check it again.
7. Rest: Let the sweet potato cool slightly before handling to prevent burning.

Tips for Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes:

• Don’t wrap in foil: Wrapping the sweet potato in foil steams it, rather than bakes it, which can make it less flavorful. Baking directly on the oven rack helps to crisp the skin.
• Consider using a baking sheet: If you’re worried about drips, or if you want to soften the bottoms quickly, you can place the sweet potato on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake in a pinch: You can microwave sweet potatoes on high 5-8 minutes and then broil for 1-3 to crisp the bottoms, however, the texture and flavor is not quite as enjoyable or as easy as baking.
• Add flavor: You can also add flavor to the sweet potato by placing cinnamon sticks or nutmeg on the oven rack during baking.

Enjoy your delicious baked sweet potatoes!