How to Cook a Sweet Potato: 6 Easy Cooking Methods

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Are you wondering how to cook a sweet potato? If you are looking for a tasty vegetable that is packed with nutrients, sweet potato is the answer. This tasty vegetable has become more and more popular due to its sweet flavor and health benefits.

According to Healthline, sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese. They can help to boost your immune system and eye health. Sweet potatoes are also rich in fiber, which is good for your gut.

Besides their flavor and health benefits, there are other things that make sweet potatoes a really great vegetable. First, it's just as filling as a potato. Second, there are many ways to cook it. You can boil it, bake it, or even fry it.

In this article, we will learn how to cook a sweet potato with six simple methods. We gathered these guides from various sources, Friday (19/9/2025).

Baking sweet potatoes in the oven creates a soft, creamy texture inside with slightly crispy skin. This method takes longer than other ways, but it brings out the natural sweetness very well. Baked sweet potatoes make excellent side dishes or main meals.

1. Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and wait for it to fully preheat before cooking.

2. Wash the sweet potatoes under cold running water and scrub the skin clean with a vegetable brush or your hands to remove any dirt.

3. Dry the sweet potatoes completely with a clean kitchen towel to prevent water from creating steam in the oven.

4. Use a fork to poke small holes about 1 inch apart all over each sweet potato. This prevents them from bursting during baking.

5. Place the sweet potatoes directly on the middle oven rack or on a baking sheet lined with foil for easier cleanup.

6. Bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of your sweet potatoes. Medium potatoes usually take 45-50 minutes.

7. Check if they are done by gently squeezing them with an oven mitt. They should feel soft and give slightly when pressed.

8. Remove from the oven carefully and let them cool for 5 minutes before cutting open to avoid burns from hot steam.

Roasting sweet potatoes involves cutting them into pieces and cooking them at high heat. This method creates caramelized edges and a tender center. Roasted sweet potato pieces work great as side dishes or in salads and bowls.

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and make sure it reaches the full temperature before you start cooking.

2. Wash the sweet potatoes under cold water and peel them with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, removing all the skin.

3. Cut the sweet potatoes into evenly-sized cubes about 1 inch in size. Try to make them similar sizes so they cook at the same rate.

4. Put the sweet potato cubes in a large mixing bowl where you have room to toss them around.

5. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil and mix well with your hands or a spoon to coat all pieces evenly.

6. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the sweet potatoes. You can also add other spices like garlic powder or paprika if you like.

7. Spread the pieces on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they don't overlap or they won't cook evenly.

8. Roast for 25-30 minutes, using a spatula to turn them over once halfway through cooking for even browning.

9. The sweet potatoes are ready when they are golden brown on the outside and easily pierced with a fork.

Frying sweet potatoes creates crispy outside layers with soft centers. This cooking method works well for making sweet potato fries or chips. Fried sweet potatoes taste great as snacks or side dishes with dipping sauces.

1. Wash the sweet potatoes under cold water and peel them completely using a vegetable peeler.

2. Cut them into long thin strips like french fries, about 1/2 inch thick, or thin round slices if you want to make chips. Keep the pieces similar in size for even cooking.

3. Soak the cut sweet potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. This removes extra starch and helps them get crispier.

4. Drain the water completely and pat the pieces dry with paper towels. Remove as much water as possible for better frying results.

5. Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Use a cooking thermometer to check the temperature.

6. Carefully add the sweet potato pieces to the hot oil in small batches. Don't overcrowd the pan or the oil temperature will drop.

7. Fry for 3-5 minutes until they turn golden brown and float to the surface. Smaller pieces cook faster than thicker ones.

8. Remove the fried sweet potatoes with a slotted spoon and be careful not to splash hot oil.

9. Place them on paper towels to absorb extra oil and prevent them from getting soggy.

10. Season with salt, pepper, or your favorite spices while they are still warm for the best flavor.

Air fryers cook sweet potatoes quickly using hot air circulation. This method creates results similar to baking but takes much less time. Air fryer sweet potatoes have crispy skin and fluffy insides, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

1. Wash the sweet potatoes under running water and dry them completely with a kitchen towel. Any water left on the skin can affect cooking.

2. Poke holes all over the sweet potatoes with a fork, making holes about 1 inch apart. This lets steam escape and prevents bursting.

3. Rub a small amount of olive oil on the skin if you want it extra crispy and golden. This step is optional but recommended.

4. Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket with space between them. Don't stack them or they won't cook evenly.

5. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and make sure it's preheated before adding the sweet potatoes.

6. Cook for 35-45 minutes, depending on the size of your sweet potatoes. Medium potatoes usually take about 40 minutes.

7. Turn the sweet potatoes over carefully with tongs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on all sides.

8. Check for doneness by gently squeezing them with tongs. They should feel soft and give easily when pressed.

9. Let them cool for a few minutes before cutting open to avoid burns from the hot steam inside.

Boiling is one of the fastest and easiest methods to cook sweet potato. This technique works well when you want to mash sweet potatoes or use them in recipes. Boiled sweet potatoes have a very soft texture and mild flavor.

1. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the sweet potatoes completely and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.

2. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt from the skin.

3. You can peel them first with a vegetable peeler if you prefer, or leave the skin on and peel after cooking when it's easier.

4. Cut large sweet potatoes into smaller, evenly-sized pieces about 2 inches thick for faster and more even cooking.

5. Carefully add the sweet potatoes to the boiling water. The water should cover them by at least 1 inch.

6. Reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle boil and cover the pot with a lid to cook faster.

7. Cook for 15-25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Smaller pieces will cook faster than whole potatoes.

8. Test doneness by piercing with a fork or knife - it should go through easily with no resistance.

9. Drain the water carefully using a colander and handle the hot sweet potatoes with care.

10. Let the sweet potatoes cool for a few minutes before handling, mashing, or adding to other recipes.

Microwaving offers the quickest way to cook sweet potato when you need a fast meal. This method steams the sweet potato from the inside, creating a soft texture throughout. Microwaved sweet potatoes work well for quick lunches or when you want to add them to other dishes.

1. Wash the sweet potato under cold running water and dry it completely with a paper towel to remove any moisture.

2. Use a fork to poke holes about 1 inch apart all around the sweet potato. Make sure to poke deep enough to go through the skin.

3. Place the sweet potato on a microwave-safe plate to catch any juices that might leak during cooking.

4. Microwave on high power for 5-8 minutes for medium-sized sweet potatoes. Larger potatoes may need 8-10 minutes.

5. Turn the sweet potato over carefully halfway through the cooking time using tongs or a fork to ensure even cooking.

6. Check if it's done by gently pressing the center with your finger - it should feel soft and give easily when pressed.

7. If it needs more time, continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until it reaches the right softness.

8. Let it cool for 2-3 minutes before cutting open, as the inside will be very hot and steamy.

9. Be very careful when opening as hot steam will escape quickly and can burn your hands or face.