You bake a sweet potato by scrubbing the outer skin clean under water, patting it completely dry, and poking multiple holes across the surface using a fork. Place the prepared potato on a foil lined baking sheet and bake in an oven heated to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit for forty five to sixty minutes. The sweet potato is fully cooked when the flesh feels soft to the touch and a fork slides smoothly into the center. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing open and adding your favorite toppings.