Creating these Cheesy Baked Sweet Potatoes is incredibly straightforward, even for beginner cooks. The oven does most of the work, leaving you free to prepare other parts of your meal or simply relax while the delicious aromas fill your kitchen.

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature ensures the sweet potatoes bake through and become tender while the cheese melts beautifully. While the oven is preheating, wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. Scrub them gently to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. This step is important because excess moisture can steam the potatoes instead of roasting them.
2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes for Baking: Once the sweet potatoes are dry, use a fork to pierce them several times all over. This allows steam to escape during baking, preventing them from bursting and ensuring they cook evenly. In a medium-sized bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Make sure to coat each sweet potato evenly with the oil and spices. This ensures that every bite is flavorful and well-seasoned. Massage the oil and spices into the skin of the sweet potatoes to ensure they are fully coated.
3. Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Place the seasoned sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack. Baking them directly on the rack allows for better air circulation, resulting in a slightly crisper skin. If you prefer to use a baking sheet for easier cleanup, you can place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. The baking time will depend on the size of your sweet potatoes. To check for doneness, insert a fork into the center of a sweet potato. If it goes in easily with no resistance, they are ready.
4. Add the Cheese and Broil (Optional): Once the sweet potatoes are tender, remove them from the oven. Increase the oven temperature to broil (high setting). Carefully slice each sweet potato lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Gently open them up slightly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of each sweet potato, making sure to get cheese into the crevices. Place the cheese-topped sweet potatoes back in the oven under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and slightly golden brown. Watch them closely under the broiler as they can burn quickly. If you don’t want to broil, you can simply return them to the oven at 400°F for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
5. Serve and Garnish: Remove the Cheesy Baked Sweet Potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as fresh chives, parsley, sour cream, bacon bits, or green onions. These toppings add a final touch of flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy the cheesy, sweet potato goodness!