Why It Works

Oiling the skin of the sweet potatoes and leaving them unwrapped produces crisp, tender skins.

Baking the sweet potatoes on a wire rack allows air to circulate around each potato, resulting in evenly cooked taters.

Scooping out the sweet potato flesh and mashing it with butter, then refilling the skins, creates a delicious, creamy filling.

At 375°F, medium sweet potatoes bake in about 75 minutes and are easier to top than small ones.

My go-to weeknight meal when I don’t feel like cooking is one that involves barely any dishes and requires just 10 minutes of active prep time: baked sweet potatoes. Loaded up with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, minced chives, and sour cream, baked potatoes—whether you choose to use starchy russets or sweet garnets—are a simple and filling dinner.…