How to Cook Yams in the Oven 3 Ways

Wondering how to cook yams in the oven? Well, there’s more than one answer. Three popular methods for cooking yams in the oven are:

• You can bake a yam whole in the oven at 425 degrees F (or 218 degrees C) for 60 minutes, turning halfway through.
• You can peel and cut yams and cook them in the oven at the same temperature for about 30 minutes.
• You can peel and dice them, too. Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees F or 204 degrees C and cook them for 30 minutes.

Wait…yams or sweet potatoes?

Before we delve any further into the cooking of yams, I need to clarify what I mean by “yam.” In the U.S., yams and sweet potatoes are the same thing. I’m in the U.S., so this post about yams refers to the orange, sweet root vegetable us Americans buy in the grocery store. That veggie may be labeled as a yam, but it’s technically a sweet potato.

So whether you’re looking to learn how to cook yams purchased in an American grocery store or how to cook sweet potatoes, this post applies. That makes it a two-for-one, right? If you want to know how to cook canned yams, see this post.

There is a story behind the American mislabeling of sweet potatoes, which makes for fun cocktail party conversation among foodies. AllRecipes explains it well here.

Picking and prepping yams

You ever see people spending way too much time in the produce aisle, on the hunt for the perfect fruits and veggies? Well, you want to act like that person. Inspect your yams carefully before you throw them in your cart. You’re looking for smooth, firm tubers without bruising or large areas.

Also, if you plan to bake them in the oven whole, choose yams that are roughly the same size. That’ll ensure everyone at the table gets an equally cooked veggie. Once you get them home, wash them clean with the scrubber side of a clean sponge and water. You can skip that step if you’re making fries, because you’ll peel the yams instead.

Cooking yams in the oven

Oven-roasted yams make a great side dish for grilled chicken, burgers, steaks, meatloaf, fish recipes, and more. Here’s a quick look at how to bake whole yams, diced yams, and yam fries or wedges.

Whole Baked Yams

Scrub the yams clean with a brush under running water and pat them dry. Stab it a few times with a fork. You can optionally coat the outside of your yams with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake for about an hour in a preheated oven at 425 degrees F or 218 degrees C. Turn halfway through so they cook evenly.

Once the yams feel soft when you press them gently, remove them from the oven. Carve an X atop each yam and push the skin to the center, so the flesh is forced upwards. Enjoy as is or add creative toppings like black beans, grilled chicken, and cheese.

Baking diced yams

To bake diced yams, you can skip the washing step and peel them instead. Cut them into small cubes. Spread the cubes evenly on a baking tray lined with foil, and drizzle with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle on any seasonings of your choice, and bake for about 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 425 degrees F or 218 degrees C.

Baking yam fries or wedges

Peel the yams and cut them in half. Then, cut the half pieces into thin slices or wedges. Place your wedges into a large bowl and add oil, seasoning, and salt. Toss to combine and transfer them to a baking sheet — line with foil for easy cleanup. Roast the yam fries about 30 minutes, turning once at the 20-minute mark. The fries are ready when they reach a crisp, golden brown.