To cook sweet potatoes in the oven, the time depends on whether you bake them whole or cut into pieces, and on the oven temperature:
- Whole baked sweet potatoes:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Place them directly on the oven rack with a baking sheet underneath to catch drips. Bake for about 45 to 65 minutes until tender and they yield to a gentle squeeze
- Cubed or chopped sweet potatoes:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss peeled and cut sweet potato cubes (about ½ to 1 inch pieces) with olive oil and seasonings. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for about 25 to 35 minutes, turning or flipping halfway through, until the edges are browned and the potatoes are tender
- Lower temperature baking (350°F/175°C) for cubed sweet potatoes:
If baking at 350°F, it takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour for medium-sized cubed sweet potatoes to become soft and fork-tender
In summary, roasting at 425°F is common for quicker cooking (25-35 minutes for cubes, 45-65 minutes for whole), while baking at 350°F takes longer (around 45 minutes to 1 hour for cubes). Whole sweet potatoes take longer than cut pieces to cook through. For best results, avoid wrapping whole sweet potatoes in foil to keep the skin from becoming soggy, and poke holes to prevent bursting. Cubed potatoes should be spread out to avoid steaming and ensure crisp edges
