To cook a sweet potato, here are the most common and effective methods, focusing on baking and roasting:

Baking Whole Sweet Potatoes

1. Preheat your oven to about 400-450°F (204-232°C). A common temperature is 425°F for optimal roasting and caramelization.
2. Scrub the sweet potatoes clean. You can leave the skin on.
3. Use a fork to poke several holes in each sweet potato (about 6-8 times) to allow steam to escape.
4. Place the sweet potatoes directly on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper (do not wrap them in foil to keep the skin crispy).
5. Bake for about 40-60 minutes depending on size, until the skin is puffy and you can easily pierce the flesh with a fork.
6. Remove from oven, slice open, and add toppings like butter, salt, or your favorite seasonings

Roasting Sweet Potato Pieces

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
2. Scrub and optionally peel the sweet potatoes.
3. Cut into 1-inch cubes or rounds for even cooking.
4. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings.
5. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet, ensuring pieces are not crowded to allow crisping.
6. Roast for 20 minutes, flip the pieces, then roast for another 10-20 minutes until tender and caramelized at the edges.
7. Serve warm, optionally with additional seasoning or a drizzle of honey

Quick Microwave Method (if in a hurry)

1. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork.
2. Rub with a little oil and seasoning.
3. Microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, checking for softness after 6 minutes.
4. Let cool slightly before serving

Tips

• Avoid wrapping whole sweet potatoes in foil if you want crispy skin.
• Roasting at higher heat (425°F) helps develop caramelized edges and crispy skin.
• For faster cooking, cut sweet potatoes in half lengthwise before baking.
• Sweet potatoes can be enjoyed plain or topped with butter, salt, herbs, or savory/spicy toppings.

This covers the basics for cooking sweet potatoes deliciously by baking or roasting, with options for speed or texture preferences