To achieve a crispy skin and soft inside when baking sweet potatoes, you can try the following methods:
Classic Baked Sweet Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Scrub the sweet potatoes clean and pat them dry.
- Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Place the sweet potatoes directly on a baking sheet or line the sheet with foil for easier cleanup.
- Bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing open. The skin will be crispy, and the inside will be soft.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Scrub the sweet potatoes clean and pat them dry.
- Cut thin slits along the length of each sweet potato, about 1/8 inch apart, stopping just before cutting through.
- Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet or line the sheet with foil.
- Brush the sweet potatoes with olive oil, ensuring the oil gets into the slits.
- Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs.
- Bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until tender and crispy on the outside.
- Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Sweet Potato Wedges:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Scrub the sweet potatoes clean and pat them dry.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges or thick fries, keeping the skin on.
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato wedges with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any desired spices or seasonings.
- Arrange the wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wedges are crispy and golden brown.
- Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Sweet Potato Chips:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Scrub the sweet potatoes clean and pat them dry.
- Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, slice the sweet potatoes into thin, even rounds.
- Toss the sweet potato slices with olive oil and your preferred seasonings, such as salt, paprika, or cinnamon.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chips are crispy and lightly browned.
- Let them cool completely before serving.
Remember, the exact baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the sweet potatoes, so it's best to check for doneness using a fork or knife. Additionally, adjusting the oven temperature or baking time slightly can help you achieve your desired level of crispness.