what temp to cook sweet potatoes in the oven
For classic baked whole sweet potatoes, a good target is 400°F (about 200°C) for 45–60 minutes, until they’re very soft when pierced with a fork.
Quick Scoop
- Whole sweet potatoes:
- Most home cooks and recipes use 400°F as the “sweet spot” for fluffy, creamy insides and lightly crisp skin.
* Bake about 45–60 minutes depending on size; larger ones can take closer to an hour.
- Hotter and faster:
- For cubes or wedges, 425°F is common, roasting around 30–35 minutes until browned and tender.
- Even hotter (very caramelized):
- Some methods go up to 450°F for extra caramelization, but you need to watch closely so they don’t burn.
Simple whole-baked method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Scrub potatoes clean and dry them well.
- Pierce each several times with a fork so steam can escape.
- (Optional) Rub with a little oil and sprinkle with salt for nicer skin.
- Place on a foil- or parchment-lined tray.
- Bake 45–60 minutes, until a fork or knife slides in with almost no resistance.
Rule of thumb:
- Whole, uncut: 400°F, 45–60 minutes.
- Cut into chunks: 425°F, about 30 minutes.
TL;DR: If you’re wondering what temp to cook sweet potatoes in the oven and don’t want to overthink it, set the oven to 400°F and bake until they’re very soft inside.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.