Roasted Sweet Potatoes

It’s a shame roasted sweet potatoes often get relegated to an ignored Thanksgiving side dish. Those who love these terrific tubers will tell you that a roasted sweet potato recipe deserves a lot more attention. Oven-roasted sweet potatoes are a stellar example of how quick, delicious and nutritious these flavorful root vegetables can be.

First things first: Most grocery stores use sweet potatoes and yams interchangeably, but they are quite different. Sweet potatoes generally have a bright orange or sometimes creamy white flesh, depending on the variety. You’ll often see Jewel, Garnet and Beauregard sweet potatoes at the market, or Japanese, Okinawa or purple sweet potatoes if you’re lucky. Real yams are more oblong with rougher, textured skins and white, starchy flesh; they are not nearly as sweet.

There are many ways to love sweet potatoes, whether pureed, boiled, mashed, marshmallow-topped or grilled. Roast sweet potatoes in the oven with a small amount of olive oil and seasonings to bring out the natural sugars, rendering them slightly caramelized. You can also make a bunch of oven-roasted sweet potatoes at a time and keep them handy for meal-prepping—they’re great additions to grain bowls and salads—or for serving with your favorite roasted or grilled meats.

How long does it take to roast sweet potatoes?

It takes about 30 minutes in a 425°F oven to roast sweet potatoes. Be sure your sweet potato cubes are about the same size so they roast at the same rate; larger cubes may take longer. A whole, uncut sweet potato bakes in 45 to 60 minutes at 350°.

Ingredients for Roasted Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet potatoes: Choose good-sized sweet potatoes with an even texture and hardness. Avoid mushy or overly blemished ones—one of our pointers to prevent mistakes with sweet potatoes. This roasted sweet potato recipe calls for peeled sweet potatoes, but you can leave the skins on for a more rustic look.
• Garlic: Minced garlic gives these oven-roasted sweet potatoes a little extra zip.
• Olive oil: A touch of healthy fat makes these potatoes even better. The best olive oils have great flavor, texture and aroma.
• Seasonings: A pinch of salt and a dash of pepper season and balance this roasted sweet potatoes dish perfectly.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the sweet potatoes

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Preheat the oven to 425°. In a small baking dish, toss the sweet potatoes and minced garlic together.

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Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.

Step 2: Roast the sweet potatoes

Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until tender, stirring every 10 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Tossing the sweet potatoes several times during cooking allows them to caramelize evenly on all sides.

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Recipe Variations

• Add herbs and spices: Roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect canvas for savory herbs and spices. Sage, rosemary, marjoram and thyme are all good options. Don’t shy away from the spicy side of the spice rack; curry and chili powder contrast the sweetness of the potatoes.
• Make a salad: Oven-roasted sweet potatoes can be the building blocks of an excellent main-course salad, like this roasted sweet potato salad with cherries, walnuts and a zippy lime dressing.
• Mix them with white potatoes: Combine creamy roasted sweet potatoes with Yukon Gold or red potatoes for extra color and different textures.

How to Store Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Once cooked, store cooled roasted sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you cube your sweet potatoes before cooking, add water to the airtight container so the sweet potato chunks don’t dry out in the fridge.

How long do roasted sweet potatoes last?

If stored correctly, oven-roasted sweet potatoes can be enjoyed up to four days after they are cooked.

How do you reheat roasted sweet potatoes?

Put the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet with a little drizzle of olive oil and roast them in a 400° oven for 10 to 15 minutes to warm them up. The microwave is also a good option; just check on them every 30 seconds or so. You can even use your air fryer at 400° for six to eight minutes.

Roasted Sweet Potato Tips

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Do you need to peel sweet potatoes before roasting them?

The skin of a sweet potato is edible and packed with fiber and antioxidants. For that extra boost of nutrition, keep the skin on while roasting. If the skin’s texture isn’t your thing or you want all four sides of your cubes evenly crispy, peeling them is the way to go.

Why aren’t my roasted sweet potatoes crispy?

Air and heat need to reach all sides of the cubed sweet potatoes to make them crunchy on the outside and custardy on the inside. Here are a few things to check: Make sure you use enough oil to coat the sweet potatoes lightly; too much can make them soggy. Did you flip them every 10 minutes? Ensuring each side gets time in the heat is essential for crispiness. Be sure the cubes are spread out—if they touch one another, they won’t get crispy at the point of contact. Finally, avoid aluminum foil. It can conduct the heat unevenly and lead to inconsistent roasting.

How do you roast sweet potatoes whole?

If you want to roast sweet potatoes whole instead, begin with well-washed sweet potatoes. Poke some holes in the skins so the pressure doesn’t build while the sweet potatoes roast (nobody likes an explodo-potato in their oven). Place them directly on the oven rack or a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook for 45 to 60 minutes at 350°. They are done when a fork can pierce the skin easily and they are tender all the way through.

What can you serve with roasted sweet potatoes?

A roasted sweet potato recipe can go with everything from your favorite steakhouse recipes to veggie-focused quinoa bowls. It can replace your usual white potatoes, and the kids in your life will shout about the touch of sweetness. I love oven-roasted sweet potatoes in salads with tart and spicy greens like arugula to give my lunch a little more heft and flavor.