How to Cook a Sweet Potato: Easy Methods for Perfect Results

If you’re a fan of sweet potatoes, you’re in for a treat! This step-by-step guide will teach you how to cook sweet potatoes in the oven, in an air fryer, or in the microwave. With these easy and tested recipes, you’ll achieve the perfect baked sweet potato every time, regardless of the appliance you use!

Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. They are a good source of potassium, fiber, and even provide some plant-based protein. Plus, their natural sweetness and flavor are simply amazing. You can enjoy them as an entree loaded with toppings, as a simple side dish, or incorporate them into various sweet potato recipes.

How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

If you’re in a hurry, the microwave is your best friend. This method is quick and easy, giving you a hot and tender sweet potato in less than 10 minutes.

1. Wash and dry the sweet potato.
2. Pierce it all over with a fork.
3. Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate or paper towel.
4. Microwave on high for 4 minutes.
5. Use tongs or oven mitts to flip over the potato.
6. Continue microwaving for 3 more minutes, or until fork-tender.
7. If it’s not fully tender, continue microwaving in 30-second increments until it is.

Remember, the cooking time mentioned is for a 12-ounce sweet potato. Adjust the time accordingly if your sweet potato is smaller.

How to Bake Sweet Potatoes in the Oven

For a delicious whole baked sweet potato with a wonderful fluffy texture inside and a perfectly crispy skin outside, the oven is the way to go.

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Scrub the potato clean and dry it off.
3. Prick it all over with a fork.
4. Place it on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
5. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until tender.

The baking time may vary depending on the size of your sweet potato. A 12-ounce sweet potato will likely need the full 50 minutes, while a smaller one should be fully cooked in 40-45 minutes.

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in an Air Fryer

For a similar result to the oven, but in less time, the air fryer is a great option.

1. Wash and dry the potato.
2. Use a fork to poke holes in the sweet potato.
3. Add two or three ½-pound sweet potatoes to an air fryer basket lined with parchment paper.
4. Air fry at 400°F for 30 minutes or until fork-tender.

After 30 minutes, gently squeeze the potatoes with tongs. If they’re still hard to the touch, put them back in the air fryer in 5-minute increments until they’re tender.

What’s the Best Way to Cook Sweet Potatoes?

Each cooking method has its advantages. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave wins as the fastest option. For the best texture, it’s a tie between the air fryer and the oven, with moist insides and slightly crispy skins. However, if we consider the overall experience, the oven takes the lead with slightly softer sweet potato insides.

In any case, all these methods will provide you with perfectly cooked sweet potatoes if you follow the tips mentioned throughout this article.

Pro Tips for Perfectly Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Here are some pro tips to elevate your sweet potato cooking game:

• Gently squeeze the potato with tongs or an oven mitt to check if it’s done. If it’s still firm, it needs more cooking time.
• Keep the sweet potatoes as dry as possible while cooking to ensure a crispy skin and fluffy inside.
• Cook the sweet potatoes on a piece of foil instead of wrapping them in foil to avoid steaming instead of baking them.
• Always pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork to prevent bursting and leaking while cooking.

How to Store, Reheat, and Serve

If you have leftovers, here’s how you can store, reheat, and serve your cooked sweet potatoes:

• Store: Keep cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Seal the leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
• Reheat: Use the microwave, oven, or air fryer to reheat sweet potatoes. Microwave for 2 minutes, bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or air fry for 5 minutes.

To serve, slice the cooked sweet potatoes in half, mash the insides slightly with a fork, and load them up with your favorite toppings. Whether it’s butter, salt and pepper, brown sugar and cinnamon, or even savory options like sloppy joe filling or cumin and chili powder, the possibilities are endless.

You can also use cooked sweet potatoes in various recipes like breakfast dishes, pancakes, sweet potato skins, burgers, ravioli, chili stuffing, soup, or even gluten-free brownies.

Tools for Cooking Sweet Potatoes

To make your sweet potato cooking experience even better, here are some tools you might find useful:

• Baking sheet
• Tongs or oven mitt
• Air fryer with a parchment paper liner

For more cooking inspiration and delicious recipes, visit Ekilove.

Remember, with these easy methods and helpful tips, you’ll become a pro at cooking perfect sweet potatoes every time. Enjoy your homemade sweet potato creations!