Learn how long to bake a sweet potato so it’s soft and fluffy on the inside with nice crispy skin! Here you’ll find tips for how to bake sweet potatoes at 350 and other oven temperatures. Enjoy the perfect baked sweet potato every time!
Table of Contents
Which Sweet Potato is Best for Baking?
The best sweet potatoes for baking have more enzyme amylase, which breaks down starches into sugar. That means varieties such as red or orange skin sweet potatoes are better. Try to avoid tan or purple-skinned potatoes.
How To Bake Sweet Potatoes In The Oven at 350
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set aside a baking sheet.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes under cold running water to remove dirt and debris. Cut off any blemishes with a paring knife.
- Using a small skewer or paring knife, poke each sweet potato 4-5 times about an inch deep. Then place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for roughly 70-90 minutes. Halfway through, you can brush with butter or olive oil for added flavor if you wish. When they are done, a fork should slide easily into the center and the internal temperature will be 205-210°F.
- Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven using oven mitts.
- Using a paring knife, slice halfway through each potato lengthwise. Then give it a gentle squeeze to open. Fluff the insides lightly with a fork and top with your favorite toppings to serve.
How Long Do You Bake a Sweet Potato?
If you want to know how long to bake a sweet potato, there are a few factors to consider:
- Size: Larger sweet potatoes will take more time, while smaller sweet potatoes cook faster.
- Oven Temperature: Baking at higher temperatures will take less time than lower temps.
- Oven Type: A convection oven with forced air will be somewhat faster.
We tested all these setups to develop the following guidelines for you:
Oven Temperature | Medium Sweet Potatoes (3-4 inches) | Large Sweet Potatoes (5+ inches) |
350°F | 1 hour 10 min | 1 hour 30 min |
375°F | 1 hour | 1 hour 15 min |
400°F | 35 min | 50 min |
425°F | 45 min | 60 min |
475°F | 35 min | 40 min |
Note: Using a convection oven will reduce the times above by 10 to 15 minutes.
How to Tell if Baked Sweet Potatoes are Done
There are three ways to check whether a baked sweet potato is done:
- Skin: it should be wrinkly with a papery appearance.
- Texture: the center should be soft enough that a fork slides in easily.
- Temperature: the middle should have reached anywhere between 205-210°F
Most people use the fork method as an easy way to check doneness.
What Should the Internal Temperature of a Baked Sweet Potato Be?
Want to be doubly sure your potatoes are perfectly cooked? Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center and look for an internal temperature of anywhere between 205 and 210°F.
Tips for the Best Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Poke holes before baking. This step allows steam to easily escape for a consistent texture.
- You can bake many sweet potatoes at once in the same amount of time. However, flip them halfway through baking to promote even heating and turn on the convection if available.
- Drizzle with oil for extra flavor and crispier texture.
- Choose the same size sweet potatoes so that they’ll cook at the same rate.
How to Serve Baked Sweet Potatoes
You can serve baked sweet potatoes with the following toppings:
- Butter, cinnamon and brown sugar
- Sour cream and chives
- Salt and herbs
- Maple syrup and pecans
- Mini marshmallows
- Ground meat
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Bake Sweet Potatoes in Foil?
Wrapping potatoes in aluminum foil was traditionally viewed as a way to speed up cooking, but it doesn’t actually make a difference. Furthermore, wrapped potatoes don’t have crispy skin, as the potato’s moisture gets trapped, steaming the skin instead of allowing it to dry out. The result is more of a boiled sweet potato taste. So overall it is really not necessary.
Is It Better to Bake a Sweet Potato in the Oven or Microwave?
An oven is required to get crispy skin and uniformly fluffy insides. It’s also the only way to cook many sweet potatoes at once. However, the microwave is the fastest method at just 10 to 12 minutes for one sweet potato.
Can I Bake Sweet Potatoes Ahead of Time and Reheat?
Yes, you can bake sweet potatoes up to one day ahead of time and reheat in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. The skin will often be crispy after reheating too.
Can I Eat The Skin Of Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potato skins are loaded with beneficial nutrients such as fiber and antioxidants. It’s safe to eat the sweet potato skins.
Why Is the Center of My Sweet Potato Still Hard?
This is a sign that your sweet potatoes are undercooked. Cook them longer until the center is nice and soft.
Do Sweet Potatoes Need To Be Parboiled Before Baking?
You don’t have to par boil sweet potatoes before cooking, but this process will make them easier and faster to bake. It’s also a great way if you plan to freeze your sweet potatoes.
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Recipe Card: Perfectly Baked Sweet Potatoes at 350
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoon olive oil optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set aside a baking sheet.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes under cold running water to remove dirt and debris. Cut off any blemishes with a paring knife.
- Using a small skewer or paring knife, poke each sweet potato 4-5 times about an inch deep. Then place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for roughly 70-90 minutes. Halfway through, you can brush with butter or olive oil for added flavor if you wish. When they are done, a fork should slide easily into the center and the internal temperature will be 205-210°F.
- Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven using oven mitts.
- Using a paring knife, slice halfway through each potato lengthwise. Then give it a gentle squeeze to open. Fluff the insides lightly with a fork and top with your favorite toppings to serve.
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