To bake a whole sweet potato, the typical baking time ranges from about 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of the potato and the oven temperature:
- At 400°F (204°C), bake whole sweet potatoes for about 45 to 60 minutes until the skin is lightly browned and the inside is soft when pierced with a fork
- At 425°F (218°C), baking usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the sweet potatoes are tender and yield to a gentle squeeze
- For faster cooking, you can slice sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and bake cut-side down at 400°F for about 30 to 40 minutes until tender
- Baking at 450°F can also be used, with a time of 45 to 65 minutes for medium-sized sweet potatoes (8-12 ounces)
Additional tips for best results include:
- Prick the sweet potatoes several times with a fork before baking to allow steam to escape and prevent bursting
- Bake sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack (with a tray below to catch drips) rather than on a baking sheet to promote even cooking and crisp skin
- Avoid wrapping sweet potatoes in foil if you want crispy skin, as foil traps moisture and softens the skin
In summary, for a standard whole sweet potato, baking at 400-425°F for 45 to 60 minutes is ideal, checking for tenderness by piercing with a fork. Halving the potatoes reduces baking time to about 30-40 minutes.
