How to cook sweet potato

Sweet potato, a starchy root vegetable rich in fibre and vitamins, offers versatility in various cooking methods, such as baking, frying, and boiling. If you’re looking for instructions on how to cook sweet potato, alongside tasty sweet potato recipes and cooking inspiration, follow the handy guide below. 

How to bake sweet potato

If you’re looking for a tasty, nutritious alternative to your usual baked potato or other regular potato recipes, a baked sweet potato is the way to go. Super simple and convenient, it’s the perfect option for an easy lunch. 

1. You’ll need a baking tray, baking paper, a sweet potato, butter, and freshly ground salt and pepper. 
2. Line the tray with baking paper, then place the sweet potato in the middle. 
3. Use a fork to prick small holes all over the sweet potato. This reduces the baking time and ensures it doesn’t burst in the oven. 
4. Bake in the oven for around 45-50 minutes or until the sweet potato is tender.
5. Let the potato rest for around 5 minutes or until slightly cooled, then slice the top open with a knife. 
6. Add a tbsp of butter, alongside salt and pepper, to taste. Then, serve with your choice of topping. 

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How to roast sweet potato

If you’re looking for the best way to cook sweet potatoes, you might want to try roasting them in pieces. Roasting sweet potato is similar to baking, only you save time by cutting it into small bite-size pieces. 

1. You’ll need 2 sweet potatoes (if you’re cooking for two people), olive oil and your choice of seasonings. 
2. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
3. Cut the sweet potatoes into rough cubes, then put them into a large mixing bowl, along with a drizzle of olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Feel free to use any seasonings, like garlic or chilli flakes, to add a spicy twist. 
4. Mix the seasoning and sweet potatoes together well so that all of the pieces are evenly coated, then pour them out onto a lined baking tray. 
5. Place the sweet potatoes in the oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes until they are tender and golden brown.
6. Serve these flavourful sweet potatoes with your favourite meat, fish or vegetables. 

How to boil sweet potato

For a delicious sweet potato mash, start by boiling the sweet potatoes.

1. You’ll need 1-2 sweet potatoes (or more, depending on how many people you’re cooking for), salt and water.
2. Peel the sweet potatoes using a potato peeler. This step is crucial, as the skin of a sweet potato can be tough.
3. Using a chopping board and a sharp knife, cut the peeled sweet potatoes into even-sized pieces.
4. Bring a pan of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt, then carefully pour in the pieces of sweet potato.
5. Reduce the heat slightly and boil for around 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
6. Remove from the heat and drain in a collider. If you wish to mash the sweet potatoes, return them to the pan and use a potato masher.

How to make sweet potato fries

Sweet potato fries are a tasty alternative to regular fries, and they’re also really easy to make.

1. You’ll need 2 sweet potatoes, olive oil and your choice of seasonings. 
2. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
3. Cut the sweet potatoes into fries, then put them in a large mixing bowl, along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Mix them together until each piece is evenly coated.
4. Bake them in the oven for 20 minutes or until they’ve reached your desired crispiness (top tip: if you have an air fryer, you can pop them in for 20 mins at 200°C and get the same effect).
5. Serve with your choice of dipping sauce, such as ketchup, mayonnaise or sweet chilli sauce.

Sweet potato cooking time

The length of time to cook a sweet potato depends on the way you plan on cooking it. If you’re baking small pieces of sweet potato, the cooking time should be around 20-25 minutes, or 20 minutes if you’re baking sweet potato fries. You should always check the recipe you’re following to know exactly how long to cook the sweet potatoes. 

Sweet potato recipes

Now that you know the different types of ways to cook sweet potatoes, you’re going to want to try out some delicious recipes! We’ve got a whole range of dishes to feed you with, including:

• Dukkah-Crusted Steak with Sweet Potato Wedges
• Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with a Sweet Potato Crust
• Baked Chicken Kiev with Sweet Potato Chips
• Coconut and sweet potato soup
• Broccoli, lentil and sweet potato salad

Try them out, and you will be sure to come back for more!