So after a handful of years of putting out recipes for this, that and the other, I finally post a Baked Sweet Potato recipe! You’d think a recipe such as this, would have come long ago, right? Honestly, it really seemed like people knew just what to do with a potato …and how to bake it. I really just didn’t give it much thought – until Japan!
The Infamous Potato
My daughter had been raving about these sweet potatoes that she got in a grocery store. Yep, that’s not a typo ….she found “the best” baked sweet potato in a grocery store. These potatoes were baked up in that cart, then were sat in a little paper bag on hot rocks to keep warm. They sat waiting for someone to grab them. And people did! Kylie would tell often, that she wanted to gran a sweet potato. But when she’d get to the store, they would be gone!
When we visited my daughter in Japan, we had to get one of these infamous baked sweet potatoes. As luck would have it, they were sold out the first 2 or 3 times we went to get one. I was getting a little nervous that I wouldn’t be able to taste this potato before heading home. They were clearly of favorite of all who lived in that area.
Then — one day, we got one!! Actually, when we walked up, the rocks were empty (again!). We only had one other full day in Japan after that particular day. We already had plans for our meals for that last day so this was it! I saw a produce guy working in that area and I asked if any more potatoes would be put out (and with the language barrier ….that wasn’t easy!). He finally realized what I was referring to and walked over and started pulling them out from within the cart oven! “YESSSS!!!!” We were so happy – we got the first dibs on the newly cooked baked sweet potatoes! I was reeeaaaaally hoping these potatoes lived up to my daughter’s praise!
DID NOT DISAPPOINT
And yes! They did! OMG! I honestly have no idea what they did. There were no seasonings on them but the skin became so caramelized and the potato was so perfectly cooked with the absolute best flavor! My daughter made a comment about missing those potatoes when she returned back to the California, so naturally I had to try and recreate them!
I’m not certain if these Baked Sweet Potatoes are ‘quite’ as good as the ones we had in Japan BUT they are darn near close! I will add, that they are so simple and easy to make. Next to no ingredients …..so you can whip these up on prep day without much thought. Have them on hand for carb up days if you’re following more of a keto diet and you’re good to go!
Ok guys – don’t walk ….run to the store and grab a few sweet potatoes so you can have these for dinner tonight! You can serve them on the side or stuff them with your favorite protein and/or veggies. I like them simply served with a little salt, pepper, garlic salt and butter but we did stuff some the other day and they were uh-mazing!!!
Have at it!
Baked Sweet Potato
Notes
*If you aren’t serving right away, loosely lay foil over top of the pan.
Keep cooled potatoes stored in airtight container in fridge.
Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 2-3 tbsp avocado oil or light flavored olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Wash and pat dry the sweet potatoes. Poke holes with knife or fork, all around potato.
- Using a pastry brush, brush on the oil of choice and place on baking sheet.
- Put into preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes.
- Done!* Serve on the side of your favorite protein with ghee or butter and salt/pepper. OR stuff it with whatever your heart desires!
