Easy Baked Sweet Potato – Perfectly Tender and Flavorful Every Time
These Easy Baked Sweet Potatoes are perfectly soft, fluffy, and caramelized on the inside with crispy, golden skin on the outside. They make a simple and nutritious side dish for any meal — naturally sweet, rich in flavor, and effortless to prepare with just olive oil and sea salt.
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes long and thin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Prepare the potatoes: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Coat with oil and salt: Rub each sweet potato with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with sea salt.
- Bake: Place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. You should be able to easily pierce the centers with a fork.
- Serve: Let them cool for a few minutes, then slice open and fluff with a fork. Add your favorite toppings like butter, cinnamon, or sour cream if desired.
Notes
- For crispier skin, bake the sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack with a foil sheet underneath to catch drips.
- To save time, you can microwave the sweet potatoes for 5–6 minutes before baking to shorten the oven time.