How to Bake Half a Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes should not be confused with yams. The two are different vegetables.

Sometimes all you need is half a sweet potato for baking. Sweet potato halves bake in a shorter amount of time than whole potatoes. The baked sweet potatoes can be cooked in the oven or in the microwave, depending on how much time you have. The microwave will take less time, but you will not get the dark, caramelized browning on the exterior of the sweet potato that you would if you baked it in the oven. Does this Spark an idea?

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Olive oil
Baking pan
Microwave-safe dish
Plastic wrap

Instructions

Oven
- 1
  
  Preheat the oven to 350 F. Rub the sweet potato half with olive oil to lightly coat.
- 2
  
  Place the sweet potato half in a baking pan with the cut side up.
- 3
  
  Bake the sweet potato half for 40 to 50 minutes or until tender.
- 4
  
  Cool the baked sweet potato half slightly before serving.
Microwave
- 5
  
  Rub the sweet potato half with olive oil.
- 6
  
  Place the potato half in a microwave-safe dish and cover with plastic wrap, being careful not to let the plastic touch the potato.
- 7
  
  Microwave the sweet potato on high power for five to seven minutes or until a fork easily slides into the sweet potato, indicating tenderness.
- 8
  
  Remove the plastic wrap and serve the sweet potato half as desired.