Not Washing Them Properly Sweet potatoes grow in the dirt, so skipping a thorough scrub can leave grit and bacteria on the skin. Always wash them well before cooking.
Peeling Them Too Soon Peeling sweet potatoes before cooking can cause them to lose nutrients and moisture. Try roasting or boiling them with the skin on for better texture and nutrition.
Using the Wrong Cooking Method Boiling sweet potatoes can make them mushy and dilute their flavor. Roasting, baking, or air frying brings out their natural sweetness and caramelization.
Skipping the Poke Test Before Baking Not piercing the skin before baking can cause sweet potatoes to burst in the oven. A few pokes with a fork allow steam to escape and prevent a mess.
Overcrowding the Pan When Roasting If sweet potatoes are packed too closely on the pan, they steam instead of roast. Spread them out to get a crispy, caramelized texture.
Not Letting Them Rest After Cooking Cutting into sweet potatoes immediately after cooking can cause them to release too much moisture. Let them rest for a few minutes to keep them firm and flavorful.