Twice Baked Sweet Potato

Twice Baked Sweet Potato

What is a Twice Baked Sweet Potato?

A twice baked sweet potato is exactly what it sounds like. A sweet potato that has been baked in the oven two separate times.

The perfect twice baked sweet potato has a crispy skin and a fluffy, moist interior. You can break down the baking process as follows:

1. The first trip through the oven is to thoroughly cook the sweet potato. This is so you can easily scoop out the interior flesh from from the shell.
2. The second trip through helps to melt the added cheese and incorporate the rest of the ingredients. (This is the presentation stage, after this trip the only thing left is to serve).

Not only is a twice baked sweet potato easy to cook. But, it is actually a pretty healthy side dish!

The Health Benefits of a Twice Baked Sweet Potato

Sure, you can load up a sweet potato with marshmallows and sticks of butter, but there are much healthier ways to serve this side.

Sweet potatoes are generally viewed as a healthier option when compared to traditional potatoes. While they both contain similar amount of carbs, fats and protein, sweet potatoes provide additional health benefits than regular potatoes.

Due to an increased amount of fiber found in sweet potatoes. They offer a lower glycemic load than other potatoes.

Additionally, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants that can help to protect the body from free radicals!

How to Make a Twice Baked Sweet Potato

Preparing for the Bake

Cooking Method:

For this recipe, I used a standard oven to bake the sweet potatoes. You can use a baking sheet, or place directly on the grates with a pan beneath to catch any drippings.

Want to try in an Air Fryer instead? Be on the lookout for a future Air Fryer Twice Baked Potato recipe!

Poke Plenty of Holes:

Do not forget this step, or you could have a tiny potato explosion in your oven! Poking holes along the sweet potato will allow trapped steam to escape.

The liquid found in the sweet potatoes needs to escape somewhere while baking. Providing a path of least resistance by poking holes in the sweet potatoes helps the moisture escape in a safe way.

Don’t Forget the Oil:

Apply an even layer of olive oil to the skin of the sweet potato. This will help to make the skin crispy while baking. While also keeping the sweet potato from drying out!

Don’t Use Aluminum Foil:

Using aluminum foil is a common practice when baking potatoes. This makes it more like a steamed potato, but it can help to more evenly cook the interior.

However, I prefer the crispy skin of a baked potato. Cooking without wrapping in aluminum foil will produce the most delicious skin possible.

Of course, feel free to cook the sweet potato anyway you prefer!

How to Bake:

1. Start by setting the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet.
3. Then, use a fork to poke shallow holes around the sweet potato.
4. Apply olive oil liberally to sweet potato skin.
5. Sprinkle kosher salt evenly over sweet potato.
6. Place sweet potato in the oven for 60 minutes (until a fork can be easily inserted).
7. While the sweet potato is cooking, dice up 6-10 slices of bacon.
8. Place bacon into a cold pan and heat over medium heat until fully rendered (10-15 minutes).
9. Set aside the cooked bacon.
10. Next, finely dice the bell pepper and jalapeno.
11. Remove sweet potato from the oven, and allow to cool enough to be handled
12. Cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise.
13. Scoop out the interior (leaving a quarter inch remaining) and place in a mixing bowl.
14. Mix in the heavy cream, sour cream, lemon juice, cheese and salt and black pepper.
15. Then, fold in cooked bacon, diced red bell pepper and jalapeno.
16. Scoop mixture back into the sweet potato, filling to the top of the shell.
17. Sprinkle cheese on top and add parsley.
18. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.
19. Finally, remove from the oven and let it cool before serving!

What to Serve With a Twice Baked Potato

Twice Baked Sweet Potato is the perfect date night side. Serve it with air fryer pork chops and some sautéed Brussels Sprouts to really impress!

It also goes great tossed in a bowl with some Smoked Pork Butt and roasted fresh broccoli. Regardless of how you serve your twice baked sweet potato, as long as it has crispy skin, you can’t go wrong!