Wouldn’t it be amazing to bake sweet potatoes in half the time without resorting to the microwave? Well, guess what? We’ve discovered a quicker method that delivers tender, sweet, and creamy sweet potatoes without sacrificing flavor.
The Life-Changing Discovery
During our mountain cabin trip in July, we stumbled upon this game-changing technique. Armed with a tiny toaster oven, I sliced a sweet potato in half, popped it in, and crossed my fingers. To my astonishment, the halves cooked up perfectly in half the time of a whole baked potato. The sweetness and creaminess were unparalleled.
After careful research, we’re excited to share that this method works wonders in your big oven, toaster oven, or countertop oven. Plus, if you have extra room on the pan, feel free to bake extras. The leftovers store well and make a delightful fall breakfast. Top them with almond butter, blackberries, and a sprinkle of toasted coconut for a heavenly sweet potato breakfast experience.
How to Make Quick Baked Sweet Potatoes
Start by adjusting the cooking rack in your oven or toaster oven to the lowest position. Preheat to 400°F on the “Bake” setting. Meanwhile, prepare a sheet pan by brushing it with oil or lining it with a silicone baking mat.
Carefully slice two raw sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Place the sweet potato halves on the prepared pan and brush the flesh with oil. You can also season them with a sprinkle of salt, according to your preference. Flip the sweet potatoes over so their interiors face the pan, and lightly brush or rub the skins with oil to achieve a crispy and delicious result. Note that if you don’t plan on eating the skins, you can skip the oil without affecting the baking process.
Bake the sweet potatoes until they are fork-tender, usually about 25 to 35 minutes depending on their size. The sweet potatoes in the pictures weighed around 13 ounces each (before slicing) and took around 30 minutes to cook through.
Quick Toaster Oven Tip
If you’re using a Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS), take advantage of its handy feature that automatically shuts off when the timer ends. To ensure your food is perfectly cooked, set the timer for a few minutes longer than needed to prevent an unexpected shutdown. Meanwhile, use the timer on your microwave or phone to keep track of the actual cooking time and remind you to check on the food.
Let the cooked sweet potatoes cool for a few minutes, and then get creative with your favorite toppings. We’re huge fans of breakfast-style sweet potatoes. In addition to almond butter and berries, we love adding Greek yogurt, a dollop of pumpkin butter, and some chopped pecans for an extra indulgent experience. However, you can also explore savory options with our Quick and Easy Sweet Potato Toppings for delicious inspiration.
And here’s an extra tip from one of our readers, Kimberly M.: after your sweet potatoes are ready, turn off the toaster oven but leave them inside to cool down. This little trick enhances their creaminess and brings out their natural sweetness. Thanks for sharing, Kimberly!
At Ekilove, we believe in enjoying quick and flavorful meals. Give this method a try, and you’ll never go back to traditional baked sweet potatoes. Learn more about our culinary adventures at Ekilove.
