Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and versatile root vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. Whether baked, boiled, steamed, or mashed, 

Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water and scrub off any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel. You can peel them if desired, although it's not necessary.

Use a fork to pierce the sweet potatoes several times all over. This allows steam to escape while they bake and prevents them from bursting.

Drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the sweet potatoes and rub them with your hands to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired, or leave them plain.

Place the sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of the sweet potatoes.