The Only Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe You Need (2024)

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Kelli Foster

Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor

Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.

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updated Oct 24, 2023

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These caramelized cubes crackle when you bite through the crisp surface and into the creamy center.

Serves4 to 6Prep5 minutesCook30 minutes to 35 minutes

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In the hierarchy of all the ways to cook a sweet potato, perfectly roasted chunks will forever sit at the top of my list. I’m not talking about a quick flash in a screaming-hot oven when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table. I’m talking about those substantially sized cubes with well-browned, caramelized edges that crackle when you bite through the crisp surface and into the creamy center. The kind so impossibly irresistible you can’t help but risk burning your fingertips and tongue to pop a few into your mouth the second the baking sheet comes out of the oven.

Whether you prefer plain roasted sweet potatoes with just a sprinkling of salt or like to give them an extra sweet or savory twist, they’re easy to make once you know the few key steps to success. Here’s how to do it.

How Long to Roast Sweet Potatoes

Roast the sweet potatoes until tender and browned all over, 30 to 35 minutes at 400°F. Be sure to flip them halfway through.

Do You Need to Peel Sweet Potatoes Before Roasting?

Yes! For the best flavor and caramelization, peel the sweet potatoes before roasting.

4 Key Steps to the Best Roasted Sweet Potatoes

1. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. One-inch cubes are the ideal size when cutting up the peeled potatoes. These bite-sized chunks aren’t too big or too small and work just as well for a side dish as they do as an addition to salads, tacos, grain bowls, and wraps. Also remember that cutting evenly sized pieces ensures they all take the same time to cook.

2. Roast at 400°F. Temperature is an important factor in getting roasted sweet potatoes just right. This temperature is hot enough to deliver the tender, creamy centers and the charred, caramelized surface you expect from sweet potatoes. Setting the dial at 400°F, rather than 425°F or 450°F, means a slightly longer cook time, which helps coax out even more of this spud’s natural sweetness.

3. Use plenty of oil. Don’t be afraid to use plenty of fat when roasting sweet potatoes. A generous slick of olive oil helps give the potatoes those caramelized, crispy edges that makes them so irresistible.

4. Use your hands to coat the potatoes evenly. You’re going to want to make sure all the sweet potato cubes are well-coated with oil, and the best way to get the job done is with your hands. I know it’s a bit messier than using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, but those tools simply don’t work as well.

How to Make Sweet or Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes are pretty darn delicious with a simple sprinkling of salt, but should you want something more, these spuds are super versatile and take well to extra flavorings.

  • Sweet: Toss the cubes with a shower of ground cinnamon and add a drizzle of honey halfway through cooking for a sticky-sweet batch of vegetables that taste like candy. While this sweet twist makes a great side dish, try them also as a grain bowl topper, add them to yogurt and oatmeal, or mash them and layer onto a slice of ricotta toast.
  • Savory: If savory is more your speed, the warm, smoky aromas of ground cumin and chili powder are a perfect partner to sweet potatoes. The spiced flavors balance the vegetable’s natural sweetness and add a gentle kick. Simply toss the potatoes with a spoonful of these spices before they go into the oven.
Comments

Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe

These caramelized cubes crackle when you bite through the crisp surface and into the creamy center.

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 30 minutes to 35 minutes

Serves 4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds

    sweet potatoes (3 medium or 2 large)

  • 2 tablespoons

    olive oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    kosher salt

Savory variation (optional):

  • 2 teaspoons

    ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon

    chili powder

Sweet variation (optional):

  • 2 teaspoons

    ground cinnamon

  • 2 tablespoons

    honey

Equipment

  • Cutting board

  • Vegetable peeler

  • Chef's knife

  • Rimmed baking sheet

  • Measuring spoons

Instructions

Show Images

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Meanwhile, cut the sweet potatoes.

  2. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes.

  3. Toss the potatoes with oil. Place the sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt. If using, add the cumin and chili powder or cinnamon and toss to coat. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer.

  4. Roast the potatoes. Roast for 15 minutes. Use a thin spatula flip the potatoes, and if using, add the honey and toss to coat. Roast until the potatoes are tender and browned all over, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Filed in:

autumn

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Dairy-Free

dinner

easy

Gluten-Free

The Only Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe You Need (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes Yahoo Answers? ›

While both yams and sweet potatoes are root vegetables, the taste of each is entirely unique. The orange-fleshed sweet potatoes tend to be much sweeter and creamier in texture compared to yams which have a white flesh that's starchier and more similar to a white potato.

Why are my roasted sweet potatoes not crispy? ›

I've found that sweet potatoes really need space for a truly roasted, crisped-edge result. Aim for about one inch of space between pieces. This leads to good, dry, hot airflow that will let the potato pieces' moisture evaporate while letting them dry and crisp up more.

Do sweet potatoes affect blood sugar levels? ›

“Sweet potatoes are a source of carbohydrates, which raise blood sugars,” says White. “People with diabetes can eat carbs but need to watch portions of foods with carbs.” What this means: Limit portions to half a sweet potato per meal or snack.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before roasting? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

What's healthier, yams or sweet potatoes? ›

Although both veggies are very close in fiber, protein, vitamin C, and magnesium, sweet potatoes are the healthier option because they are lower in overall calories, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in beta carotene (vitamin A).

Why yams are mistaken for sweet potatoes? ›

The reason for the name mix-up, she explains, is because Louisiana sweet potato growers in the 1930s marketed a new breed of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes as “yams” to distinguish their crop from other states' produce—and it stuck.

Why are my roasted sweet potatoes mushy? ›

Typically when you roast sweet potatoes, they end up mushy, not crispy. That's because the high sugar content and moisture in the potato creates a softer result. In this case, they get their crispiness not by deep frying, but by sprinkling a secret ingredient over and baking them!

Why do sweet potatoes go black when roasting? ›

One of the phenols, called chlorogenic acid, is the culprit that makes sweet potatoes, and sometimes, regular potatoes darken when they're cooked. The chlorogenic acid combines with iron ions in the potato and oxygen absorbed from the atmosphere and cooking water, creating the dark pigment.

How do you keep roast potatoes crispy? ›

If you want to make this roast potatoes day before recipe and keep the potatoes crispy, ensure you put them in hot oil before baking them. This will help the potatoes stay crispy. If you're preparing roast potatoes in advance and find they have gone soggy in the fridge.

When not to eat sweet potatoes? ›

How to tell if sweet potatoes have gone bad. If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.

Is pineapple good for diabetics? ›

The bottom line. If you have diabetes, you can eat pineapple in moderation and as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Choose fresh pineapple or canned pineapple without added sugar, and avoid any sugary syrup or rinse the syrup before eating.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes before roasting? ›

Yes! Soak the potatoes in cold water to remove the excess starch from the outside of the potato. There are a few reasons why you want to remove that starch (it makes the potatoes burn, it keeps them from crisping up, it turns to sugar) but all you really need to remember is to soak them at least one hour.

Is it better to boil or roast sweet potatoes? ›

The takeaway. If you want to eat sweet potatoes and maintain blood sugar balance, Sapola suggests boiling rather than roasting them. This method will take the glycemic index impact down a few points and maybe even challenge your cooking creativity.

Do you need to pierce sweet potatoes before roasting? ›

1) Always poke a few holes.

Before baking, use a fork to prick each sweet potato several times. You don't need to jab the fork in deep. We're creating steam vents. Otherwise the pressure in the sweet potato could build up so high in the oven that it explodes—an unlikely possibility but one best avoided!

Are yams and sweet potatoes are used interchangeably? ›

In the United States, the terms "yam" and "sweet potato" are used interchangeably, but they are completely different vegetables. Yams are starchy and have a rough, brown exterior. They can grow up to 45 feet long and are eaten in parts of Latin America, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Which cooks faster yam or sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes cook more quickly than yams, are moister, and they taste distinctly sweet. When cool, they do not turn steadfastly glutinous and solid.

Which part of the plant is the yam What is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? ›

Yams belong to a different family, called Dioscoreaceae. The edible parts of sweet potatoes are called roots, and yams are classified as tubers. Sweet potato plants are more prolific, producing 4-10 roots per plant. Yams produce just 1-5 tubers per plant.

What is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam quizlet? ›

What is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? -Sweet potatoes are darker and more reddish colored than a yam.

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