How Long To Bake Sweet Potatoes in the Oven: Recipes, Tips & More

Are you on sweet potato duty this holiday season? No need to worry! If you haven’t prepared them before, you may be wondering how long to bake a sweet potato. Fortunately, we’ve got the answers you need to serve the perfect sweet potatoes.

These tasty vegetables can be used as the main ingredient of a casserole, soup or pie, but they also make a delicious side dish all on their own. While they’re available year-round, they’re especially popular for Thanksgiving meals. 

Whether they’re mashed, fried or baked and served whole, sweet potatoes add a beautiful autumnal color and complex flavor to your holiday dinner plate.

In this post, we’ll go over tips for baking sweet potatoes, methods to prepare them and delicious recipes to try for your next gathering. 

What’s the best temperature for baking sweet potatoes?

The best temperature to bake a sweet potato is 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is the perfect way to caramelize the natural sugar in the sweet potato and ensure crispy outer skin without taking too long. Lower temperatures could leave you with an undercooked sweet potato that’s too firm, while higher temps risk over-browning and bitter taste.

How long does it take to bake sweet potatoes?

The time it takes to bake a sweet potato at 425 will depend on the size of the vegetable.

Factors that impact baking time 

The exact time needed to bake a sweet potato will vary depending on a few factors:

• Size: Large sweet potatoes need longer baking times
• Density and thickness: Denser, thicker sweet potatoes take longer to bake.
• Moisture content: Sweet potatoes with more moisture require a longer bake time.
• Whole or halved: You can cut sweet potatoes in half to help them cook faster. Lightly coat the inside with butter and olive oil and place them skin-up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This technique reduces the necessary bake time by about a third.
• Desired texture and flavor: Undercooked sweet potatoes feel firmer and don’t taste as sweet since the sugar needs time to caramelize.

How to know when sweet potatoes are done baking  

Dinner is almost served. But every sweet potato is different, and baking time isn’t always the sole factor to count on. 

Here are good indicators of how to tell if sweet potatoes are done:

• The skin of the sweet potato is slightly crispy.
• Sweet potato internal temp should reach somewhere between 205 and 215 degrees Fahrenheit. Aim for 210ºF if you want to be precise, and use a meat thermometer to check.
• You can easily pierce the sweet potato skin with a fork. A properly cooked sweet potato will be tender and moist, but an undercooked sweet potato will be tough and crunchy.
• If you cut your sweet potato in half before baking, it should have caramelized edges. When sweet potatoes are cooked, the sugars inside begin to brown, creating a darkened outer edge along the exposed flesh.

How to bake sweet potatoes

Whether you plan to serve baked sweet potatoes whole or are preparing to mash them up, the oven is where it all starts. Here’s a step-by-step guide to baking sweet potatoes:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Wash thoroughly. Always rinse and scrub sweet potatoes before cooking them.
3. Poke holes. Use a fork to prick plenty of holes in each sweet potato to help steam escape while it bakes. If you skip this step, the potato could burst and leave you with a serious mess on your hands!
4. Coat with oil. Apply a thin layer of olive oil or vegetable all over the sweet potato. This locks in the flavor and makes the skin crispier.
5. Place in oven. If you are using whole sweet potatoes, place them directly on the baking rack. If you cut your sweet potatoes in half, place them skin-up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before sliding them into the oven.
6. Wait. Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 40 minutes if you’re baking sweet potatoes whole, or for 25 minutes if they are cut in half.
7. Check. If the sweet potato is done cooking, you should be able to smoothly pierce the skin with a fork. If not, bake for another 5 minutes and check again. 
8. Remove sweet potatoes from the oven. Slice them open, top them with pats of butter and let them cool. Add other toppings of your choice and enjoy!

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil

You’ll see some recipes call for wrapping sweet potatoes in foil prior to baking. The foil is used to catch the sweet juices that are released when a sweet potato heats up. 

However, because so much steam and juice gets trapped inside, some people find that wrapping sweet potatoes in foil results in a soggy texture. We recommend forgoing the foil.

Other methods for cooking sweet potatoes 

Aside from the good ol’ oven, there are a few other ways to prepare sweet potato. 

If you’re in a hurry or already using your oven to bake a different dish (as is often the case on a busy Thanksgiving morning), check out these alternative methods for cooking sweet potatoes:

Air fryer  

1. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). 
2. Thoroughly wash and dry the sweet potatoes, poke holes in them and lightly coat them in olive oil or vegetable oil. 
3. Place a sweet potato or two in the air fryer basket. Make sure they lay evenly and allow enough air to circulate between them.
4. Cook for 35-45 minutes, depending on the size of the sweet potatoes. Rotate the sweet potatoes halfway through cooking for best results. 
5. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing. 

This method is perfect for quick, fluffy and evenly cooked sweet potatoes with crispy skin!

Microwave  

1. Thoroughly wash and dry your sweet potato, then poke plenty of holes in it using a fork.
2. Microwave one sweet potato on high for 5 minutes. 
3. If a fork cannot easily slide into it, microwave again for 30-second increments until it can.

Microwaving sweet potatoes is one of the quickest ways to cook them. To stop a sweet potato from drying out in the microwave, you can wrap it in a damp paper towel first.

Microwaved sweet potatoes work in a pinch, but you won’t get that delightfully crispy skin texture. You will also run the risk of the sweet potato cooking unevenly. It might be tough in some spots and soft in others.

Steam  

1. As always, thoroughly wash your produce before starting!
2. Get a large pot with a lid and add 2 inches of water to the bottom.
3. Put 1 to 4 sweet potatoes into a steamer basket. For even cooking, avoid overcrowding.
4. Cover the pot with the lid and bring the water to a boil over high heat.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-high and steam. Leave them for around 30 minutes, depending on the size of your sweet potatoes.
6. Carefully remove the sweet potatoes with tongs or a spoon. Allow them to cool before serving.

You’ll know steamed sweet potatoes are done when they are tender enough for you to poke into them with a fork. Cutting the sweet potatoes into smaller chunks reduces the cooking time for this method.

Boil  

1. Wash and scrub your sweet potatoes. You can peel them or leave the skin on. 
2. You can boil a sweet potato whole, or you can cut it into chunks to speed up cook time.
3. Place sweet potatoes in a large pot and add cold water until they are completely submerged. Add a pinch of salt.
4. Place the pot on high heat until the water reaches a rolling boil.
5. Reduce the heat and let simmer until tender. For whole sweet potatoes, this will take about 40 minutes, depending on size. For chunks, 15-20 minutes.
6. Use a fork to poke and check if the sweet potatoes are done. 
7. Pour into a colander to drain, and let the boiled sweet potatoes cool.

Boiled sweet potatoes often lack the caramelized flavor achieved with baking, but this is a good method if you want to prep for mashed sweet potatoes, purees or other recipes. 

Tips for preparing the perfect sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are simple to prepare, but there are a few ways to help bring out the best flavors for your dish. Follow these tips to get the most out of your sweet potatoes.

• ​​Pick like a pro. When shopping, always look for sweet potatoes with smooth, uncracked skin.
• Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place. Never keep them in the refrigerator, as the cold will harden them too much. You can store whole sweet potatoes in your pantry for 3 to 5 weeks.
• Don’t peel sweet potatoes. Sweet potato skins are edible! They’re also nutritious and helpful for keeping the skin inside moist.
• Keep it clean. If you’re placing whole sweet potatoes directly on the baking rack, you can put a baking sheet on the rack below them to catch any drips.
• Add some spice.  Paprika, cinnamon and cumin are all great spices for sweet potatoes. Salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary also pair well.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container. Cooked sweet potatoes can be kept for 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Kosher salt

Ground black pepper

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Italian seasoning

Garlic salt

Paprika

Maple syrup

Honey

Cumin

Oregano

Curry powder

Rosemary

Thyme

Red pepper flakes

Balsamic vinegar

Sweet potato topping ideas

Toppings are the key to turning sweet potatoes into a savory snack or a sweet dessert. Get some inspiration from these popular topping ideas.

• Top with green onion, chives and sour cream to draw inspiration from the classic baked potato.  
• Add bell pepper, black beans and corn for a Southwestern spin.
•  Sprinkle with sharp cheddar, parmesan or crumbled feta for a killer combo.
• Try using toasted nuts, brown sugar and maple syrup to turn a baked sweet potato into a delectable dessert.

What’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?

In North America, many people use the words “sweet potato” and “yam” interchangeably. They are both root vegetables, but they differ in a few key ways. 

Flavor

Sweet potatoes are rich and — you guessed it— sweet. Yams are more earthy and dry.

Shape

Sweet potatoes have an elongated irregular shape that tapers to a point at each end. Yams are more cylindrical.

Texture

Sweet potatoes have a thin skin, while yams have a rougher, thicker skin with a texture similar to tree bark. 

Color

Raw sweet potatoes usually have golden reddish skin. Yams have brown skin. Look inside a sweet potato and you’ll see vibrant golden-orange flesh with a creamy and moist texture.

The inside of a yam, on the other hand, is white, purple or red, with a starchy and dry texture more like a regular potato.

Growth

Regular potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams are all root vegetables that store energy and nutrients in underground structures known as “tubers.” Plain potatoes and yams are “stem tubers” with special underground stem organs, whereas sweet potatoes are “root tubers” that store nutrients inside bulging roots. Size varies, but yams are usually larger than sweet potatoes.

Origin

You may be surprised to find out that yams are closely related to grasses and lilies, while sweet potatoes are closer to flowering vines like morning glories. Yams are primarily grown in West Africa, while North Carolina is a major supplier of sweet potatoes in the United States.

Did you know most Americans haven’t had an actual yam? In the United States, the Department of Agriculture requires all labels with the term “yam” to be paired with the term “sweet potato.” Real yams are typically only found in international markets.

Baked sweet potato recipes

Looking for more ways to use sweet potatoes? Take a look at these recipes for new ways to enjoy this delicious vegetable.

• Sweet Potato Mash Recipe
• Whipped Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
• Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe with Pecan Crust
• Crunchy Maple Baked Sweet Potatoes
• Crispy Fried Sweet Potatoes Recipe
• Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk Recipe
• Mouth-Watering Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
• Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
• Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
• Sweet Potato + Bacon Casserole with Gruyere Recipe

How long to bake sweet potatoes in the oven

Recipe by InstacartCourse: RecipesDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

Our foolproof guide tells you how long to bake sweet potatoes in the oven.

Ingredients

• 1 whole sweet potato (medium size, about 5 to 8 ounces) per person

• Olive oil or vegetable oil

• Butter

Directions

• Thoroughly wash sweet potato.
• Coat the entire potato in a thin layer of oil.
• Poke several holes in sweet potato with a fork.
• Place whole sweet potato directly on baking rack in oven.
• Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 40 minutes.
• Check if the sweet potato is done. You should be able to smoothly pierce the skin with a fork. If not, bake for another 5-10 minutes and check again.
• Remove sweet potato from the oven, slice open, top with butter and let cool.
• Add other toppings of your choice, and enjoy!

Master the art of baking sweet potatoes with Instacart

Now that you’ve mastered how to prepare sweet potatoes, you’ll always have an easy, reliable side dish for your next dinner.

Ready to give it a try? Browse our fresh vegetables or explore more potato recipes.

Take the stress out of entertaining and use Instacart to shop for sweet potatoes and so much more. Order online or in the app and get everything you need sent right to your door.

Cady Cohen

Author

Cady Cohen is a culinary writer at Instacart who empowers home cooks to navigate the exciting world of food with confidence. She has worked in digital media for over seven years covering food, health, and wellness. From handy conversion charts and recipe calculators to in-depth cooking guides, Cady's work makes grocery shopping a breeze and empowers you to make informed choices about what you put on your plate.

Heather Matley

Editor

Heather Matley is an editor at Instacart whose passion for food and cooking has inspired her work on everything from grocery guides to recipe development. With over eight years of experience in editing, content creation, and search engine optimization, she strives to empower readers with the most effective tools, guides, and ideas to transform their home cooking.