Baking a whole sweet potato typically takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour in a conventional oven, depending on the size of the potato and the oven temperature.
- At 400°F (204°C), baking a whole sweet potato usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes until the skin is crisp and the inside is soft and easily pierced with a fork
- Some recommend baking at a higher temperature, around 425°F to 450°F, which can reduce the time slightly to about 40-50 minutes
- If you slice the sweet potato in half lengthwise, it can bake faster, around 30 to 40 minutes at 400°F, with the cut side up to brown and caramelize
- Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil is generally discouraged if you want crispy skin, as foil traps moisture and results in a softer, less desirable skin
- To check doneness, the potato should be soft inside and easily pierced with a fork or knife
In summary, expect about 45 minutes to 1 hour for a whole sweet potato baked at around 400°F, with some variation depending on size and oven temperature. Sliced potatoes cook faster, about 30-40 minutes. For best results, do not wrap in foil and poke holes in the skin to allow steam to escape
