Description
This recipe provides a simple and healthy way to bake sweet potatoes, yielding tender, flavorful results enhanced by olive oil, salt, and pepper. Optional toppings like cinnamon, honey, and fresh herbs add versatility, making it perfect for both savory and sweet preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium Sweet Potatoes (Each weighing 6 to 8 ounces)
Seasoning and Flavoring
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoons Salt (about ½ teaspoon per potato)
- 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Chopped Herbs (such as parsley or cilantro, for garnish)
- Cinnamon (optional, for sweetness)
- Honey (optional, for sweetness)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
- Wash Sweet Potatoes: Thoroughly wash each sweet potato under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue.
- Dry Sweet Potatoes: Pat the sweet potatoes dry using a clean kitchen towel to ensure the skin crisps up during baking.
- Poke Holes: Use a fork to poke several holes in each sweet potato to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the sweet potatoes evenly spaced on the sheet.
- Oil and Season: Drizzle olive oil over each sweet potato and rub it into the skin. Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly to season.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Bake the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, until they are fork-tender when checked at the thickest part.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and let the sweet potatoes cool for about 5 minutes before handling.
- Slice and Serve: Slice each sweet potato lengthwise and add desired toppings such as chopped herbs, cinnamon, or honey, then serve immediately.
Notes
- You can adjust baking time depending on the size of the sweet potatoes; larger potatoes may require additional time.
- Poking holes prevents the sweet potatoes from bursting in the oven.
- Drizzling olive oil on the skin helps achieve a crispy outer texture while keeping the inside soft.
- Optional sweet toppings like cinnamon and honey create a delicious dessert-style variation.
- Chopped fresh herbs add a fresh, savory touch, ideal for a side dish.
