Description
This simple recipe for Baked Sweet Potatoes yields perfectly soft and flavorful sweet potatoes with a tender skin and a creamy interior. Enhanced with butter, salt, and pepper, this dish makes an excellent wholesome side for any meal, offering natural sweetness and a comforting texture.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes (about ¾ lb. each)
- 4 tsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Wash: Thoroughly wash the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt and debris, then dry them completely with a towel.
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Arrange for baking: Place the prepared sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil to catch any drips and make cleanup easier.
- Bake: Bake the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Test for doneness by piercing the potatoes with a fork or knife; it should slide in easily and juices may bubble out from the holes. If they are not fully soft inside, bake an additional 10 minutes and test again.
- Cool: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes so they are easier to handle and the interior sets slightly.
- Serve: Slice each sweet potato lengthwise and lightly mash the flesh with a fork. Top with one teaspoon of butter per potato, sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can add other toppings like cinnamon, brown sugar, or sour cream for different flavor variations.
- Using a fork to prick the potatoes prevents them from bursting while baking.
- If you prefer softer skin, you can wrap the sweet potatoes in foil before baking.
- For even cooking, try to use sweet potatoes that are similar in size.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
