How To Roast Sweet Potatoes
Step-By-Step Instructions
• Unless the goal is to bake your potatoes whole, cutting them into 1" cubes means a faster cook time and more surface area per bite for delicious caramelization. Aim for equally sized potato pieces so they cook at the same rate.
• I keep it super-simple here with a drizzle of oil and seasoning with salt and pepper. I have more flavoring suggestions below, but this is seriously all you need to make the best-ever sweet potatoes.
• Be sure to toss with a flexible spatula at least twice during the cooking process. Since this is high-heat roasting, the sweet potatoes will brown quickly—tossing them will help everything cook and brown evenly.
• Low and slow roasting brings out the natural sugars in fruits and veggies. Since sweet potatoes bring plenty of sweetness already, I opt for higher temperature for roasting—in this case, 450º. This way, they get a nice golden char on the outside, while maintaining a custardy smooth core.
Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe above.
Recipe Tips
• Ditch the skin—or don't. This is totally up to you. Personally, I like the flavor and texture of sweet potato skin, but there's no harm in removing it. The only thing you'll lose are some added nutrients and fiber.
• Flavor them. Here's where you choose your own adventure. Dried spices like cumin, chili powder, turmeric, or curry powder all pair nicely with the sweetness of sweet potatoes. When adding additional spices, about 3/4 teaspoon of ground spices per pound of potatoes will add the right level of flavor. Toss hearty herbs with the sweet potatoes before roasting. For more tender herbs like parsley and cilantro, sprinkle and toss with the sweet potatoes when they are fresh out of the oven. Just don't forget the salt!
• Roasting. I don't recommend wrapping your potatoes in foil! Covering the sweet potatoes will cause them to steam instead of developing that sweet golden char on the outside.
Serving Roasted Sweet Potatoes
There are no limits to how to use roasted sweet potatoes. Some mains you can serve these potatoes alongside include:
• Baked Ham: Ham and potatoes equal the heartiest, mostly hands-off dinner possible.
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin: This is my favorite recipe for pork; it's so simple and the pork doesn't dry out in the oven. Potatoes would go perfectly with this.
• Apple Cider Glazed Chicken: Fall flavors to the max with this easy chicken dinner recipe.
• Thanksgiving Dinner: You can never go wrong with serving these as a go-to, easy side for mostly any holiday, but these scream fall.
• Fried Eggs: Serve these potatoes plus sausage for a simple breakfast.
Other Roasted Vegetables
If you came here just for roasting time and temperature, let me do you a solid and give you easy access to all our veggie roasting guides:
• Oven Roasted Asparagus
• Herb Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Parsnips
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Roasted Butternut Squash
• Roasted Cauliflower
How To Store Roasted Sweet Potatoes
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When it’s time to enjoy, reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Made These?
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