Sandra This Paula Deen Sweet Potato Bake Recipe is a tender and fluffy recipe, which calls for whole sweet potatoes and your favorite toppings. It’s an ideal side dish, ready in about 45 minutes.
Paula Deen Sweet Potato Bake Recipe Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes
- Topping ideas:
- Butter or vegan butter
- Sea salt
- Chives
- Greek yogurt or tzatziki
- Guacamole
- Creamy avocado cilantro lime dressing
How To Make Paula Deen Sweet Potato Bake
- Prep the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- Pierce the potatoes: Use a fork to poke holes all over the sweet potatoes. This allows steam to escape during baking.
- Bake until tender: Place the pierced sweet potatoes directly on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 40 to 50 minutes. The potatoes are done when they are puffed up, the skin is slightly wrinkled, and they are very soft when pierced with a fork.
- Serve: Slice the potatoes open and serve hot with your desired toppings.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get a fluffy interior? The key is baking at a high temperature like 425°F (220°C). This cooks the potato through, making the inside steamy and fluffy while the skin gets tender.
- Do I need to wrap them in foil? It’s not necessary. Baking the potatoes directly on the baking sheet allows the skin to dry out and become tender, rather than steaming inside the foil. The foil on the baking sheet is just to catch any sugary drips.
- How do I pick the best sweet potatoes for baking? Look for small to medium-sized sweet potatoes that are firm and have smooth skin. Try to choose potatoes that are similar in size so they cook at the same rate.
- Why do I have to poke holes in the potatoes? Poking holes allows steam to vent from the potato as it bakes. This prevents pressure from building up inside, which can sometimes cause the potato to burst in the oven.
Topping Ideas for Baked Sweet Potatoes
A baked sweet potato is a perfect canvas for all sorts of toppings, both savory and sweet. Beyond simple butter and salt, try:
- Savory: Sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped chives, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Sweet: A pat of butter, a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon, and a handful of toasted pecans.
- Hearty: Stuffed with black beans, corn, and salsa, or topped with BBQ pulled pork.
How To Store Baked Sweet Potatoes
Refrigerate: Store leftover baked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat: Reheat them in the microwave for a quick option, or in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes to help the skin crisp up again.
Baked Sweet Potato Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated per medium-sized plain sweet potato and does not include toppings.
FAQs
In most US grocery stores, the orange-fleshed vegetable labeled as a “yam” is actually a sweet potato. True yams have a different texture and are not as sweet. For this recipe, you want the common orange or reddish-skinned sweet potato.
Yes, you can cook a sweet potato in the microwave for a much faster result. Pierce it with a fork and microwave on high for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. However, the skin will not be as crispy and the texture will be slightly different than when oven-baked.
It’s highly recommended. Sweet potatoes often leak a sugary, sticky syrup as they bake, which can burn onto the bottom of your oven. Using a foil-lined baking sheet makes cleanup much easier.
Try More Recipes:
- Paula Deen Potato Salad Recipe
- Paula Deen Sweet Potato Biscuits Recipe
- Paula Deen Ham and Potato Soup Recipe
Paula Deen Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
Description
A simple, foolproof method for baking perfectly fluffy and tender sweet potatoes in the oven.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pierce sweet potatoes all over with a fork and place them on the baking sheet.
- Roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until soft and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Slice open and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Poking holes in the potatoes allows steam to escape and prevents them from bursting.
- Baking directly on the pan (without wrapping in foil) results in a better skin texture.
- Choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size to ensure they cook evenly.
- The foil on the baking sheet is to catch any sticky drips for easy cleanup.
