Living in Japan offers you some great food experiences. Among these is yaki imo, also known as baked sweet potatoes.
Yaki imo is sold in the supermarket almost every day and often by street vendors during the colder months. The aroma of roasting sweet potatoes fills the air, drawing people in with its irresistible allure. It’s not just a snack; it is a healthy food alternative.
Since childhood, sweet potato is already one of my top favorite root crops. My father usually plants some sweet potatoes in our backyard. We normally boil it or fry it and add some sugar. It is only in Japan that I discovered another way to cook sweet potato and the taste is just addicting.
I remember the first time I found yaki imo in a local supermarket. Its golden-brown exterior and sweet aroma invite me to buy it. As I bit into the warm, tender flesh, I was immediately hooked. It was love at first bite.
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| yaki imo sold in supermarket |
My daughter also loves yaki imo. On her first birthday, I wanted to surprise her with yaki imo for breakfast. So I rode a bike to a nearby supermarket and bought her a yaki imo. Her reaction was priceless. With each bite, her eyes lit up with delight, and she couldn’t resist swinging her head in sheer happiness. It was a moment of pure joy that I’ll cherish forever.
For months, I would regularly indulge in store-bought yaki imo without ever considering making it at home. That is, until one day, curiosity got the best of me. I decided to try my hand at recreating this tasty treat in my own kitchen.
To my surprise, making yaki imo at home turned out to be incredibly easy. I may not have special equipment that they use to cook the sweet potato but I could use the toaster oven we have in the kitchen.
In Japan, there are about 60 varieties of sweet potatoes and the 3 most popular sweet potato varieties are silk sweet, beni haruka, and anno imo. Silk sweet has less fiber which makes it smooth like silk and tasty. Beni haruka has a soft and fluffy texture with a fragrant sweet taste. Anno imo has an exceptionally sweet flavor and a soft and moist texture.
Sweet potato is not only delicious but it is packed with nutrients. They are great sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Their strong beta-carotene content and antioxidant properties help strengthen the immune system. They are good for gut and brain health. This is the reason why I love to give this to my daughter and it is one of her first food.
In Japan, sweet potato skin is commonly eaten, so it is important to thoroughly scrub and wash it before cooking. The skin contains antioxidants such as anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid. Eating sweet potatoes with the skin on them can provide antioxidant benefits, improve your skin, and help with constipation relief.
Yaki imo is consumed as a hot snack, cold snack, or used as an ingredient in desserts.
Here is how to make the Japanese yaki imo or sweet potato using the toaster oven
You only need one ingredient, sweet potato.
First, wash the sweet potato with its skin on and put it in the toaster. Turn on the toaster oven and bake the sweet potato for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip it over and bake for another 15 minutes, and it's done!! Very simple and straightforward.
I usually make a batch of them and I freeze some of them for future use. It is very helpful especially when I am in a rush and need some snacks for my little girl to bring when we are going out.
That is all. I hope you will give this a try and let me know in the comments your experience with it.
Japanese Yaki Imo - Baked Sweet Potato
Preparation Time: 
Cooking Time: 
Servings: 3
Calories per serving: 112 kcal
Cuisine: Japanese
Category: Snack
Author: Mitsukai
Keywords: Yaki Imo, Sweet Potato, Japanese Snack
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 pcs Japanese sweet potatoes (satsumaimo), medium-sized
Instructions
Step 1:
Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly, keeping the skin on.
Step 2:
Place the sweet potatoes directly in the toaster oven. Set the temperature to 1000 watts. Bake for 15 minutes.
Step 3:
After the initial baking period, carefully flip the sweet potatoes over to ensure even cooking.
Step 4:
Bake for another 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft and fully cooked through.
Step 5:
Remove from the toaster oven, let them cool slightly, and then cut open to enjoy.
Nutrition Analysis
Nutritional Value (per medium-sized sweet potato)Calories: Approximately 112 calories | Protein: 2 grams | Fat: 0.1 grams | Carbohydrates: 26 grams | Fiber: 4 grams | Sugars: 5 grams | Vitamin A: About 384% of the Daily Value (DV) | Vitamin C: 4% of the DV | Calcium: 4% of the DV | Iron: 4% of the DV | Potassium: 15% of the DV
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I store baked sweet potatoes, and how long do they last?
To store baked sweet potatoes: Cool completely before storing them to prevent moisture buildup. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them in foil or plastic wrap. Baked sweet potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, you can freeze baked sweet potatoes. They can be frozen for up to 6-12 months. To reheat, you can bake them from frozen or thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven or microwave.
How to know if the sweet potatoes are completely cooked?
To check if the sweet potatoes are done, insert a knife or skewer into the center. If it goes in easily, they are ready. If not, continue baking in 5-minute increments.
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