Baked Sweet Potatoes

Ahh!!! The GLORIOUS sweet potato, my absolute favorite veggie. When baked, the natural sweetness emerges and it’s full of nutrients and benefits, so it’s no wonder that it is high on the super food list. I enjoy Baked Sweet Potatoes year round, so I’ve become quite the expert on baking them to perfection. Even though I use them for many things, eating them baked and plain is my favorite and most healthiest way to enjoy.

It’s quite simple to bake sweet potatoes, and if you aren’t consuming this super food in your regular diet, you should consider adding them in. Sweet potatoes are are an anti-inflammatory vegetable that is heart healthy and rich in antioxidants and vitamin A to help boost immunity. They are full of healthy carbs for fueling your busy day, (great for brain food also!) Sweet potatoes are also beneficial for your eyes, and have also been shown to aid with anxiety, easing stress and reducing mood disturbances.

Let’s begin!

Ingredients:

4-6 Sweet Potatoes

Selecting sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Try to find medium sweet potatoes that are similar in size and firm when squeezed with little or no wrinkles.

How to bake sweet potatoes

Instructions:

Wash your sweet potatoes under cold water. I use a wad of paper towel to give them a little light scrub. Dry sweet potatoes, then poke skin with fork all over. Place on a foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet and put in cold oven. Turn oven on to 400℉ / 205℃ and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off oven, but leave sweet potatoes in closed oven for 15 minutes longer. (set timer, if needed.)

The reason to start in a cold oven is for the enzymes to break down the starches to become a sweeter version called maltose. This happens between certain temperatures, therefore giving you a naturally sweeter potato. NOTE: If using very large sweet potatoes, prolong baking time for 15-20 minutes longer.

Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.

You can use a knife to cut skin and enjoy as is, or easily remove skin and just use the sweet potato meat for casseroles, smoothies, cakes, bread or cookies.

Need some recipe inspiration for using sweet potatoes?

Try my recipe for dairy-free Sweet Potato Casserole. Find the recipe HERE.Creamy and fluffy soufflé like filling, with warm fall spices and topped it off with a crunchy, sweet and salty pecan topping with a hint of sage and orange zest.

Try my recipe for dairy-free Sweet Potato Smoothie. Find the recipe HERE.Dairy-free and naturally sweetened, made with wholesome and nutritious ingredients, it’s a creamy and delicious way to fuel your day.

Try my dairy-free Sweet Potato Casserole Cookies. Find the recipe HERE.Sweet potatoes and warm fall spices baked into a soft cookie and topped with a pecan crumble and toasted marshmallows.

Try my dairy-free and grain-free Sweet Potato Bread. Find the recipe HERE.This is a very moist, cake-like bread with tons of flavor and a hint of spice. It has a perfect touch of sweetness, naturally sweetened by the banana, sweet potatoes and pure maple syrup.