Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a sweet and savory side dish that brings out the best of this nutritious root vegetable. When roasted, sweet potatoes develop warm, caramelized flavors with crispy edges and a tender inside, making them a delicious and versatile addition to any meal. They're simple to prepare with just a few basic ingredients—fresh sweet potatoes, your favorite seasonings, and a hot oven.
What You’ll Find On This Page
These roasted sweet potatoes pair beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, soups, or fresh salads, making them a go-to side dish for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Roasting at high temperatures enhances their natural sweetness, much like when you roast butternut squash or pumpkin. It's also quicker than baking them whole, which is helpful when you're short on time but want a hearty, flavorful side.
Plus, they’re incredibly easy to customize! You can keep the seasoning simple with salt and black pepper or go for bolder, smoky, or spicy flavors depending on your taste.
If you’re searching for a side dish that’s nutritious, flavorful, and perfect for fall or winter meals, roasted sweet potatoes are a must-try. Their warm, caramelized flavors are also a great addition to holiday feasts like Thanksgiving or Christmas, making them a versatile and dependable choice for any occasion.
Explore More Potatoes Recipes:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Breakfast Potatoes
- Baked Potato
- Baked Potato Wedges
- Roasted Potatoes
- Boiled Potatoes
- French Fries
- Potato Soup
- Potato Salad
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
The ingredients for roasted sweet potatoes are straightforward: fresh sweet potatoes and a few basic seasonings. Here’s what you’ll need to get started!
- Sweet Potatoes: Go for orange-fleshed sweet potatoes when roasting, as they have a naturally sweet and creamy texture. In the United States, these are sometimes labeled as “yams,” but true yams are a different vegetable altogether. Pick sweet potatoes with smooth, blemish-free skin and no sprouts or soft spots—these are good indicators of freshness and quality.
- Seasoning Powders: I’ve used a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. This combination offers a nice balance of mild heat and savory flavor that complements the natural sweetness. If you’re in the mood for bolder flavors, try Cajun, Creole, or BBQ seasonings.
- Oil: Olive oil adds a subtle, fruity flavor and helps the sweet potatoes roast evenly while making sure the spices stick well. For a richer taste, you can swap it with melted butter or coconut oil, both of which work beautifully.
- Herbs: I used dried parsley here, but you can experiment with dried rosemary or thyme for extra depth. I recommend sticking with dried herbs since fresh ones tend to burn at high roasting temperatures, which can affect the overall flavor.
How to Roast Sweet Potatoes in the Oven
Let’s get ready to roast some sweet potatoes! I’ll guide you through peeling, chopping, seasoning, and roasting them until they’re perfectly caramelized. I’ve included step-by-step photos and a detailed video to make the process super easy to follow. Let’s get started!
Enjoy More Sweet Potatoes and Roasted and Baked Vegetables:
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Roasted Beets
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Roasted Zucchini
- Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Carrots
- Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Vegetables
- Roasted Cauliflower
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized Sweet Potatoes
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- ½ tsp Dried Parsley
- 2 tbsp Oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Preparing the Sweet Potatoes
- Start by washing your sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel. If you like a smoother texture, peel the skin with a vegetable peeler. If you prefer a bit of rustic texture and want to keep the added nutrients, leave the skin on — it adds a nice chewiness after roasting.
- Using a sharp kitchen knife, trim off the ends and cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized pieces, as shown in the picture. Keeping them roughly the same size helps them roast evenly and enhances their natural sweetness and caramelization.
Seasoning the Sweet Potatoes
- Place all the chopped sweet potatoes into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried parsley, and salt. Mix everything well to coat each piece evenly with the seasonings, making sure the flavors are well distributed.
Roasting the Sweet Potatoes
- Arrange the seasoned sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined baking tray. Spread them out evenly, making sure they aren’t crowded. If you’re roasting a large quantity, use multiple trays or roast in batches. This helps the sweet potatoes caramelize properly instead of steaming.
- Place the tray in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) and roast for 25-30 minutes. Flip the sweet potatoes halfway through to ensure they caramelize evenly on all sides. Once they’re done, take them out of the oven and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This brief rest allows the flavors to settle and the texture to firm up. That’s it — your delicious roasted sweet potatoes are ready to enjoy!
Serving
- Enjoy these oven-roasted sweet potatoes as a side dish with grilled or baked chicken, salmon, rice, or hearty soups. They also make a tasty topping for fresh salads. Want more pairing ideas? Check out the Serving Suggestions section below for extra inspiration!
Save This Recipe!
We'll email you the post link so you can come back later!
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Choose the Right Sweet Potatoes: Opt for orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, which are known for their creamy texture and natural sweetness. These varieties caramelize beautifully when roasted. Look for fresh, spot-free sweet potatoes with smooth skin, as they offer the best flavor and texture.
- Season to Your Taste: While I’ve used a basic blend of seasonings for a balance of heat and savory flavors, feel free to get creative with your favorite spices or herbs. You can also explore our collection of seasoning recipes for inspiration. If you prefer a sweeter touch, drizzle maple syrup or honey before roasting to enhance their natural sweetness.
- Line the Baking Tray: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the sweet potatoes from sticking to the tray. This also makes cleanup much easier.
- Use Oven Mitts: You’ll need to flip the sweet potatoes halfway through roasting for even caramelization. Always use oven mitts to carefully remove the tray, flip the pieces, and return it to the oven. Avoid flipping them while the tray is still inside the oven to prevent burns.
- Keep an Eye on Them: Roasting times can vary depending on the size of your sweet potato pieces. Smaller pieces cook faster, while larger chunks may need more time. Typically, pieces take about 25-30 minutes to achieve a soft inside and caramelized outside. Start checking for tenderness and caramelization around the 20-minute mark. Use a fork or knife to pierce a piece — if it slides in easily, they’re ready to enjoy.
- Add a Starch Coating for Extra Crispiness: For crispier edges, toss the sweet potatoes in a light dusting of cornstarch along with the seasonings and oil before roasting.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Serving Suggestions
Roasted sweet potatoes are a nutritious, flavor-packed side dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of meals. Here are some of our family favorites that I think you’ll enjoy too:
- Roasted or Baked Meats: Serve them with roasted whole chicken, baked chicken breasts or thighs, turkey, or baked salmon. The natural sweetness of the potatoes balances out the savory flavors of the meat, making for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Skewers: Pair these potatoes with chicken skewers, kabobs, chicken souvlaki, or shrimp skewers. The caramelized potatoes complement the smoky, charred flavors of the skewers. For a more filling and nutritious plate, you can also add a side of rice, yellow rice, saffron rice, quinoa, barley, or lentils.
- Tacos: Use them as a filling for vegetarian or chicken tacos. Add some slaw, black beans, avocado, and your favorite sauce—like chipotle mayo or salsa—for a delicious Tex-Mex-inspired meal.
- Soups: These sweet potatoes make an excellent side for creamy soups like butternut squash, tomato, or lentil soup. The warm, caramelized flavor pairs beautifully with the rich, smooth texture of the soup, making it an ideal choice for cozy fall and winter meals.
- Pasta Dishes: Enjoy the sweet potatoes alongside pasta favorites like Alfredo, garlic Parmesan pasta, baked ziti, or lasagna. Their sweetness and crispy texture add a nice contrast to the creamy or cheesy sauces, making for a satisfying combination.
- Salads: Toss roasted sweet potatoes into green salads with goat cheese, pecans, and dried cranberries for a sweet-and-savory twist. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette or honey-mustard dressing to bring all the flavors together.
- Toppings: Create a loaded sweet potato dish by topping them with black beans, avocado, salsa, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream. This Southwest-style combo is full of flavor, fiber, and protein, making it a satisfying meal on its own.
- Dips: For extra flavor, drizzle or dip roasted sweet potatoes in hummus, garlic aioli, or tahini sauce. These creamy dips add richness and complement the caramelized edges of the sweet potatoes.
- Breakfast: Add roasted sweet potatoes to a breakfast plate with scrambled eggs, avocado, and crispy bacon. This combination provides a balanced and hearty start to your day, with a mix of sweet and savory flavors.
- Rice Bowls: Build a balanced rice bowl with white, brown, or black rice, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and your choice of protein, like grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp. Add some steamed veggies and a drizzle of lemon-tahini sauce for a complete, nutrient-packed meal.
Storage Suggestions
I recommend serving these roasted sweet potatoes warm, right out of the oven, to fully enjoy their caramelized flavor and soft texture. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat them in one of the following ways:
- Oven: For the best texture, reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This helps bring back their slightly crispy edges.
- Microwave: For a quicker option, reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through. Keep in mind they may lose some crispiness this way.
- Air Fryer: To maintain their crispiness, you can also reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
If the sweet potatoes seem a bit dry, you can drizzle a small amount of olive oil or melted butter before reheating to restore moisture.
Leave a Review