How to Bake a Sweet Potato (Plus Three Topping Ideas!)

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This basic baked sweet potato recipe is a comforting side that shines on its own with just butter, chives and a touch of pepper. Want to get more creative? You can switch things up by topping them with savory ingredients like black beans and salsa, or sweet ingredients like yogurt and granola.

A baked sweet potato topped with melted cheese and garnished with herbs served on a plate
Credit:

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
4
  • This comforting side dish is simple to make and easy to switch up by getting creative with toppings.
  • Sweet potatoes are packed full of inflammation-fighting antioxidants and fiber. 
  • Poking holes in the potato with a fork before baking will help prevent the skin from splitting.

Our instructions for How to Bake a Sweet Potato are foolproof, whether you choose the oven or microwave method. You’ll get a heaping amount of inflammation-fighting antioxidants with the beta carotene in the sweet potatoes and gut-healthy fiber. It’s delicious as a simple potato with creamy butter, fresh chives and a pinch of black pepper. Get even more sweet potatoes in your week with one of our variations. Hearty and savory black beans take this to the next level, while the salsa seeps into the crevices of the flesh with our Black Beans & Salsa Sweet Potato. The avocado crema is a tangy and refreshing addition. The sweet potato is the perfect backdrop for the spicy and zesty BBQ Chicken version. And you’ll never look at breakfast the same with our Breakfast Sweet Potatoes with Granola, filled with gut-healthy yogurt and fiber-filled granola and pecans. Keep reading for our expert tips on sweet potato roasting methods, ingredient and flavor additions and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To prevent the potatoes from bursting or splitting open while cooking, prick them all over with a fork to allow steam to escape.
  • You can use leftover chicken or low-sodium rotisserie chicken instead of preparing your own, and simply toss it in BBQ sauce.
  • For breakfast potatoes, consider topping them with rehydrated raisins. The fruit’s plump texture pairs nicely with the potatoes.
  • Instead of making your own avocado crema, you can top the dish with store-bought guacamole.

Variations to Try

Black Beans & Salsa

Active: 20 min Total: 1 hr 25 min
Prepare base recipe through Step 2. Rinse 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans; mix with ½ cup salsa and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High until warmed, about 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Spoon into the sweet potatoes (heaping ⅓ cup each). In a small bowl, mash the flesh of 1 small avocado with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 2 teaspoons lime juice; dollop on the sweet potatoes, about 1½ tablespoons each. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro.

BBQ Chicken

Active: 15 min Total: 1 hr 20 min
Toss 1 pound trimmed boneless, skinless chicken thighs with 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven during the last 15 minutes of sweet potato roasting, or until cooked through (165°F). Shred and toss with ½ cup barbecue sauce. Fill the sweet potatoes with the mixture. Sprinkle each sweet potato with 1 teaspoon chopped scallions.

Breakfast Sweet Potatoes with Granola

Active: 15 min Total: 1 hr 40 min
Let the baked sweet potatoes cool for 30 minutes. Mix 1 cup whole-milk plain yogurt with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Spoon ¼ cup into each sweet potato. Top each sweet potato with ¼ cup granola and 1 tablespoon chopped toasted pecans.

Nutrition Notes

  • Sweet potatoes are rich in an antioxidant called beta carotene, which helps to lower inflammation. It also converts in our bodies to vitamin A—a vitamin essential for immunity and healthy vision. 
  • Black beans are a plant-based protein that can support muscle health and satiety. They are also a source of fiber, which is helpful for good digestion and to maintain a healthy and flourishing microbiome. 
  • Chicken thighs are an excellent source of protein. They also contain potassium, which is helpful for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Chicken thighs can be high in saturated fat if you don’t remove the skin, so give them a trim before cooking. 
  • Whole-milk plain yogurt may contain slightly more fat than reduced-fat or nonfat yogurt, but that fat is essential for helping you absorb fat-soluble vitamins, including A, E, D and K. If you choose a Greek-style yogurt with probiotics, you will get more protein and a gut-health benefit as well.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (8 ounces each), scrubbed

  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pieces

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Prick scrubbed sweet potatoes all over with a fork; place on a small baking sheet. Roast until very tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let stand until cool enough to handle but still hot, about 15 minutes. (Alternatively, wrap pricked potatoes in damp paper towels and microwave on High in 4-minute intervals, turning between intervals, until fork-tender, about 12 minutes.)

    Person puncturing sweet potato with a fork on a blue baking sheet

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

  2. Make a lengthwise slit down each potato, leaving the base intact. Push the ends toward the center to open.

    Hands breaking open a cooked sweet potato to reveal soft interior

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

  3. Top each sweet potato with 1 piece of butter. Sprinkle the sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon chives and ½ teaspoon pepper.

    Baked sweet potato with a dollop of butter and garnish on a plate

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

To make ahead

Refrigerate baked sweet potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat wrapped in foil in a 425°F oven until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?

    When shopping for sweet potatoes, you might find them labeled as yams. But it’s essential to note that they are often not the same, particularly in terms of flavor and texture, and cannot be used interchangeably in most recipes. Sweet potatoes are elongated and smooth, with tapered ends. They typically have copper-colored skin, and their flesh ranges from light to dark orange and is sweet. In contrast, yams are cylindrical in shape and have a rough exterior that resembles tree bark. They come in colors like black or brown, and their interior can be white, red or purple. They taste starchy, similar to a potato.

  • Can I use purple sweet potatoes?

    You can, but it really depends on how you’ll be using them. The purple-fleshed sweet potato is different from the orange-fleshed variety. The orange-fleshed sweet potato is sweet and has a soft texture when baked, while the purple variety has floral or nutty notes and bakes up drier, firmer and denser. Additionally, purple sweet potatoes can take a bit longer to cook.

  • How long do you cook a sweet potato in the oven?

    Sweet potatoes usually take between 50 to 60 minutes to bake in an oven preheated to 425°F. The exact cooking time can vary based on the size and thickness of the potatoes. When cooking multiple sweet potatoes simultaneously, it’s best to select ones that are similar in size to ensure they’re finished cooking at the same time. To check for doneness, insert a fork or knife into the thickest part of the sweet potato; if it slides in easily, it’s ready to eat.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Allow the baked sweet potatoes to cool completely, then store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat stuffed potatoes, wrap them in foil and place them in the oven at 425°F until heated through.

  • What should I serve with baked sweet potatoes?

    We love serving baked sweet potatoes with hearty chilis, such as our Vegan White Bean Chili or Kickin’ Hot Chili. They also pair perfectly with turkey, chicken, beef, pork or salmon. Try our Spatchcock Turkey recipe, or our Crispy Roast Chicken recipe. Plus, the sweet potatoes also go well with our Classic Hamburger for Two, Juiciest Pork Chops and Miso-Maple Salmon.

Recipe developed by Jasmine Smith

EatingWell.com, October 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

247 Calories
6g Fat
46g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 sweet potato
Calories 247
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 4g 7%
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Vitamin A 1658µg
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 5%
Folate 26µg
Vitamin K 7µg
Sodium 170mg 7%
Calcium 72mg 6%
Iron 1mg 8%
Magnesium 58mg 14%
Potassium 772mg 16%
Zinc 1mg 6%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.