Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Bake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps in a few ways. It prevents the exterior of the tuber from drying out and overheating too quickly, which would minimize enzymatic activity; it also results in a more evenly cooked texture.

INGREDIENTS: Sweet Potatoes, Sugar, Water, Brown Sugar, Praline (sugar, pecans, butter cream, natural flavoring, corn syrup, salt), Liquid Margarine (soybean oil, water, vegetable mono & diglycerides, salt, natural flavor (includes milk), Vitamin A palmitate added, Vitamin D3).

Why use salt water for soaking potatoes? There's moisture naturally found in potatoes, and moisture is drawn to higher concentrations of salt. (This is a process called osmosis.) So, if you put the potatoes in a salt water bath, that will help draw out some of their moisture, resulting in crispier fries.

Types of Potatoes to Soak

"Sweet potatoes can also be peeled and stored in water for up to 24 hours."

Wrap each sweet potato individually in aluminum foil. Bake. Transfer potatoes to the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Rotate the sweet potatoes 180 degrees to ensure even cooking and bake for an additional 15-30 minutes, or until a fork or knife is easily inserted into the thickest part of the potato.

Classic loaded baked sweet potato: Top with cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and/or green onions. Chili baked sweet potato: Top with traditional chili or vegetarian chili, plus cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado (or guacamole) and/or sliced jalapeños.

Pierce potatoes all over with the tines of a fork and bake in oven, directly on rack, until soft and caramelizing, 1 1/2 hours. Slash the tops of potatoes open with the tip of a sharp knife and push ends of each potato toward each other to open. Divide butter, salt, and pepper among potatoes and serve.

However, as a general guideline, sweet potatoes typically take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to bake at 400°F (200°C), whereas regular potatoes may take closer to 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes to bake at the same temperature.

#20 Loaded Baked Sweet Potato

When we say loaded, we mean it! We top our soft baked sweet potato with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter, a toasted Marshmallow, Butter Pecan Syrup, and Candied Pecans. Try it with our Maple Bacon Chicken or Grilled Sirloin Steak for an amazing flavor combination.

Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole? ›

Most people point to a 1917 pamphlet by the Angelus Marshmallow Company as the first time sweet potatoes and marshmallows came together. This company is believed to be the first to commercially-produce and sell the squishy white marshmallows we know, roast, and snack on today.

Soaking the sweet potatoes removes excess starch, which allows them to crisp up easier. You will want to put them in cold water for at least 30 minutes, but the longer you can go, the better.

The reason is to prevent the potatoes exposure to air, which causes dehydration, oxidation, and discoloration. Immersing cut potatoes will also help rinse off excess starch.

To remove excess starch, place cut sweet potatoes into cold water making sure the cut surfaces are submerged. This step is especially recommended for "kinton" (Japanese-style mashed sweet potato) and other lightly seasoned dishes where a delectable color is desired. Soaking time of about 5 minutes is sufficient.

You can peel and cut sweet potatoes and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours in advance for easier meal prep, according to the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. To do this, place the raw, cut sweet potatoes in a bowl of water — covered — in the fridge to keep them fresh.