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The Perfect Oven Baked Sweet Potato: Fluffy Inside, Crispy Skin (Simple Method)

Close-up of two baked sweet potatoes, split open to show fluffy orange flesh topped with coarse sea salt.
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Make perfectly baked sweet potatoes with a fluffy interior and a naturally caramelized, crisp skin using this simple, no-foil oven method. This is a reliable, healthy side dish for any American meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Prick each sweet potato several times deeply all over with a fork. This allows steam to escape and helps the inside become fluffy.
  3. Rub the outside of each potato lightly with olive oil.
  4. Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with coarse salt and pepper. Do not wrap them in foil; direct heat creates the crispy skin.
  5. Place the seasoned potatoes directly onto the middle oven rack.
  6. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your potatoes.
  7. Check for doneness by piercing the thickest part with a fork or knife; it should slide in with no resistance. The skin should look slightly wrinkled and caramelized.
  8. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before slicing open lengthwise. Fluff the inside flesh with a fork.
  9. Serve immediately with your choice of topping.

Notes

  • For a sweet topping, mix 1 tablespoon of softened butter with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup.
  • For a savory topping, use plain Greek yogurt, chopped chives, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
  • If your potatoes are very large, you may need to increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/baked-sweet-potatoes-fluffy-crispy-skin/