how long does a sweet potato take to bake

The baking time for a sweet potato can vary depending on its size, shape, and the temperature of your oven. Here are some general guidelines:

Small to medium-sized sweet potatoes (1-1.5 pounds):

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender when pierced with a fork.

Large sweet potatoes (1.5-2.5 pounds):

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Bake for 60-90 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender when pierced with a fork.

Extra-large sweet potatoes (over 2.5 pounds):

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Bake for 90-120 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender when pierced with a fork.

You can also check for doneness by gently squeezing the sweet potato. If it’s soft and yields to pressure, it’s done. If it’s still hard, bake for an additional 15-30 minutes and check again.

Tips:

• Wrap the sweet potato in foil to retain moisture and promote even cooking.
• Pierce the sweet potato with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape.
• You can also bake sweet potatoes at a lower temperature (375°F/190°C) for a longer period of time (about 1-2 hours).
• If you’re short on time, you can microwave a sweet potato for 3-5 minutes, then finish baking it in the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Remember, the key to perfectly baked sweet potatoes is to cook them until they’re tender and caramelized. Enjoy!