bake sweet potatoes how long

Baking sweet potatoes takes different amounts of time depending on their size. Here’s a general guide:

General Baking Times and Temperatures:

• Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
• Small Sweet Potatoes (about 6-8 oz / 170-225g): 35-45 minutes
• Medium Sweet Potatoes (about 8-12 oz / 225-340g): 45-60 minutes
• Large Sweet Potatoes (over 12 oz / 340g): 60-75 minutes or longer

Steps for Baking Sweet Potatoes:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and Scrub: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt.
3. Pierce: Use a fork to pierce the sweet potatoes several times on all sides. This allows steam to escape, preventing them from bursting.
4. Optional preparations You can rub them optionally with a little olive oil or vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper, or spices that you enjoy, this can help crisp up the skins
5. Bake: Place the sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet.
6. Check for Doneness: After the minimum baking time, test for doneness. Insert a fork or knife into the thickest part of a sweet potato. It should feel very soft and easily pierced without resistance. If it’s still firm, continue baking and check every 10-15 minutes.
7. Serve: Let the sweet potatoes cool slightly before serving.

Tips for Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes

• Size matters: Try to bake potatoes of similar size together so they cook evenly.
• Don’t wrap in foil: Foil can steam the potatoes, making the skin less crispy when baked.
• For extra sweetness: If you like a sweeter flavor, bake the sweet potatoes and add a tablespoon of butter.
• Rest: Let the potatoes to sit on a countertop about 10 minutes before serving.
• Reheating: You can add a tablespoon of water to the leftover potatoes and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes.

Enjoy your delicious baked sweet potatoes!