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How to Cook Baked Sweet Potatoes in the OVEN in Under 30 Minutes!

Written By: Byron | August 8, 2024
How to cook baked sweet potatoes in oven.

How to Cook Baked Sweet Potatoes in the oven in under 30 minutes: Make perfect, soft tasty baked sweet potatoes every time with this easy cooking hack. This recipe is super easy and literally takes a minute or two for the prep work, then the sweet potatoes go into the oven for around 25 minutes… and that’s it! 

The result is super soft baked sweet potatoes ready to be loaded with your favorite toppings.

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Serving:

4 with toppings

Ready in:

Under 30 minutes

Skill level:

Very easy

Serve with:

Favorite toppings

Watch step-by-step recipe video

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How to Make Baked Sweet Potatoes in the Oven

Ingredients

Equipment

            Instructions

            1. Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
            2. Wash sweet potatoes and remove any grit or dirt
            3. Cut sweet potatoes in half lengthways 
            4. Add baking paper to a tray
            5. Drizzle oil on baking paper
            6. Season tray with salt and pepper
            7. Add sweet potatoes cut side down
            8. Bake for 20-25 minutes
            9. Serve

            Cooking Tips:

            How to cut sweet potatoes

            Sweet potatoes can be quite tough, making them tricky to cut. Use a large sharp knife, and use your palm to help put pressure on the top of the knife, keeping your fingers clear of the cutting zone. 

            Choose sweet potatoes that are around the same size

            This will ensure that the sweet potatoes cook evenly and at the same rate. Avoid using overly large sweet potatoes as they can often taste dull or woody. Sweet potatoes around 7-9 oz. / 200-250 grams each are ideal and will easily cook in 25 minutes.

            Clean sweet potatoes before baking

            Sweet potatoes are root veggies that grow underground. They are usually roughly cleaned by the time they hit the supermarket shelves, but just make sure they are clean of dirt before baking them. I suggest using a clean scrubbing brush (or veggie brush or even some steel wool) to lightly scrub the skin of the sweet potatoes. 

            How to cook baked sweet potatoes in the oven in half the time

            A simple cooking tip that will literally halve the time it takes to cook sweet potatoes! 

            When baking sweet potatoes, I always cut them in half, significantly reducing the cooking time to 20-25 minutes at 200°C /400°F. For whole sweet potatoes, they take around 45-55 minutes.

            If you prefer soft, almost caramelized sweet potato flesh, cook them for a little longer. If you prefer a firmer texture, around 20 minutes will be ideal. 

            Use good-quality olive oil

            Use good-quality olive oil (extra virgin olive oil is best). Besides the numerous health benefits, extra virgin olive oil is a stable cooking oil and does not lose nutrients when exposed to high temperatures while cooking. 

            Are All Olive Oils Healthy or Just Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

            Can you eat the skin of a sweet potato?

            Totally up to you. The skin of sweet potatoes can be quite dense and tends to harden when baked so it can be chewy, but that said, it is not harmful to eat it. If you are not a fan of the sweet potato skin, bake them and scoop out the soft flesh with a spoon. Or just serve them in the skin and add toppings because once baked the flesh will easily come away from the skin.

            Some baked sweet potatoes on a baking tray

            Are Baked Sweet Potatoes Healthy?

            Baked sweet potatoes are very healthy! 

            They are packed with essential nutrients and offer several health benefits. They are low in fat, high in dietary fiber, and an excellent source of Vitamins A and C. 

            They are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for vision, immune function, and skin health. Vitamin C is important for immune function, skin health, and antioxidant protection. 

            Healthy Topping Ideas for Baked Sweet Potatoes

            Load your baked sweets with delicious toppings that are filling and healthy. When it comes to toppings, there are just so many great options! 

            Here are just a few healthy topping ideas, including protein-packed options for baked sweet potatoes that can boost their flavor without compromising their nutritional benefits:

            Savory Toppings:

            1. Greek Yogurt and Chives:
            • Swap out sour cream for healthy Greek yogurt to add protein and a creamy texture.
            • Sprinkle with fresh chives for added flavor.

            Check out our Yogurt dressing in this recipe. Baked Sweet Potatoes with Lemon and Thyme with A Tangy Yogurt Dressing

            1. Black Beans and Salsa:
            • Top with black beans for fiber and protein.
            • Add salsa for a fresh, tangy taste.
          • Avocado and Lime:
            • Sliced or mashed avocado provides healthy fats.
            • A squeeze of lime juice adds a refreshing citrus flavor.
          • Hummus and Cherry Tomatoes:
            • Spread a dollop of hummus for a boost of protein and fiber.
            • Top with halved cherry tomatoes for a burst of freshness.
          • Sauteed Spinach and Garlic:
            • Lightly sauté spinach with garlic and a touch of olive oil.
            • Add on top of the sweet potato for a nutritious green addition.

            Protein-Packed Toppings:

            1. Chicken and Broccoli:
            • Add shredded or diced grilled chicken.
            • Top with lightly steamed broccoli florets.
          • Tuna Salad:
            • Make a healthy tuna salad with Greek yogurt instead of mayo.
            • Add it on top of the sweet potato for a filling meal.

            We’ve got an awesome Effortless 3-Minute Spanish-Style Tuna Tomato Salad Recipe here! 

            1. Egg and Spinach:
            • Top with a poached or fried egg.
            • Add sautéed spinach for extra nutrients.
          • Quinoa and Black Beans:
            • Mix cooked quinoa with black beans.
            • Add a squeeze of lime juice and some chopped cilantro.
          • Cottage Cheese and Herbs:
            • Spoon some low-fat cottage cheese on top.
            • Sprinkle with fresh herbs like dill or parsley.

            These healthy toppings can transform your baked sweet potatoes into a nutritious and delicious meal or snack.

              How to cook baked sweet potatoes in oven.
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              Sweet potatoes as part of the Mediterranean diet?

              Sweet potatoes are not a traditional staple in the classic Mediterranean region, however nowadays, you’ll find an ample supply of sweet potatoes throughout the Mediterranean region and sweet potatoes can be included in the Mediterranean diet as they’re healthy and fit all the criteria. 

              The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, including a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean proteins (especially fish), and healthy fats like olive oil. Sweet potatoes fit well within this framework due to their nutritional benefits and versatility.

              Some baked sweet potatoes on a baking tray

              Nutrition Facts

              Based on baked sweet potatoes only with no toppings. 

              Servings: 4

              Amount per serving

               

              Calories

              230

              % Daily Value*

              Total Fat 3.5g

              4%

              Saturated Fat 0.5g

              3%

              Cholesterol 0mg

              0%

              Sodium 179mg

              8%

              Total Carbohydrate 46g

              17%

              Dietary Fiber 8g

              29%

              Total Sugars 14g

               

              Protein 4g

               

              Vitamin D 0mcg

              0%

              Calcium 40mg

              3%

              Iron 1mg

              8%

              Potassium 0mg

              0%

              *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

              How to cook baked sweet potatoes in oven.

              How to Cook Baked Sweet Potatoes in the OVEN in UNDER 30 MINUTES!

              Byron
              Make perfect, soft tasty baked sweet potatoes every time with this easy cooking hack! This recipe is super easy and literally takes a minute or two for the prep work, then the sweet potatoes go into the oven for around 25 minutes… and that’s it!
              Prep Time 2 minutes
              Cook Time 25 minutes
              Total Time 27 minutes
              Course Appetizer, lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, vegan
              Cuisine American, Mediterranean, Spain
              Servings 4 Main
              Calories 230 kcal

              Equipment

              • Veggie scrubbing brush
              • Large kitchen knife and Cutting board
              • Baking sheet
              • Parchment paper
              • Cooking Tongs
              • Oven

              Ingredients

              • 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes around 7-9 oz. / 200-250 grams each
              • Splash of extra virgin olive oil
              • Salt and pepper to taste

              Instructions
               

              • Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
              • Wash sweet potatoes and remove any grit or dirt
                4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
              • Cut sweet potatoes in half lengthways
              • Add baking paper to a tray
              • Drizzle oil on baking paper
                Splash of extra virgin olive oil
              • Season tray with salt and pepper
                Salt and pepper to taste
              • Add sweet potatoes cut side down
              • Bake for 20-25 minutes
              • Serve

              Video

              Notes

              Cooking tips:

              How to cut sweet potatoes

              Sweet potatoes can be quite tough, making them tricky to cut. Use a large sharp knife, and use your palm to help put pressure on the top of the knife, keeping your fingers clear of the cutting zone. 

              Choose sweet potatoes that are around the same size

              This will ensure that the sweet potatoes cook evenly and at the same rate. Avoid using overly large sweet potatoes as they can often taste dull or woody. Sweet potatoes around 7-9 oz. / 200-250 grams each are ideal and will easily cook in 25 minutes.

              Clean sweet potatoes before baking

              Sweet potatoes are root veggies that grow underground. They are usually roughly cleaned by the time they hit the supermarket shelves, but just make sure they are clean of dirt before baking them. I suggest using a clean scrubbing brush (or veggie brush or even some steel wool) to lightly scrub the skin of the sweet potatoes. 

              How to cook baked sweet potatoes in the oven in half the time

              A simple cooking tip that will literally halve the time it takes to cook sweet potatoes! 
              When baking sweet potatoes, I always cut them in half, significantly reducing the cooking time to 20-25 minutes at 200°C /400°F. For whole sweet potatoes, they take around 45-55 minutes.
              If you prefer soft, almost caramelized sweet potato flesh, cook them for a little longer. If you prefer a firmer texture, around 20 minutes will be ideal. 

              Use good-quality olive oil

              Use good-quality olive oil (extra virgin olive oil is best). Besides the numerous health benefits, extra virgin olive oil is a stable cooking oil and does not lose nutrients when exposed to high temperatures while cooking.
              Keyword 30 minute recipe, Baked, baked sweet potato, easy, Easy Dinner ideas, Sweet potato, vegan, vegetarian
              How to cook baked sweet potatoes in oven.

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