Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
Scrub sweet potatoes
Pierce each sweet potato with a fork
Place on a baking sheet
Bake 35–55 minutes (until very tender)
Let cool 5–10 minutes
Slice and serve (optional: add butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, or brown sugar)
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
Peel sweet potatoes (optional)
Cut into 1/2-inch cubes or wedges
Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper
Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet
Bake 20–30 minutes, flipping once, until browned and tender
Peel sweet potatoes (optional)
Cut into 1-inch chunks
Add to a pot and cover with water
Bring to a boil, then simmer 12–20 minutes until tender
Drain and mash or serve as-is
Peel sweet potatoes (optional)
Cut into thin rounds or small cubes
Steam in a steamer basket 10–20 minutes until tender
Drain and season to taste