The Ultimate Guide to Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Savory and Sweet
Learn the simple techniques to make perfectly roasted sweet potatoes that are crispy on the outside and tender inside. This guide provides both a savory spice blend and a sweet maple glaze option for your next everyday meal or holiday side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- For Savory Version: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- For Sweet Version: 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat is key for crispy roasted sweet potatoes.
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: Cut the sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes. Uniform size helps them cook evenly.
- Dry the potatoes: Place the cubes on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat them very dry. Excess moisture prevents crisping.
- Toss for Savory Version: In a large bowl, toss the dry sweet potato cubes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Toss for Sweet Version: In a separate bowl, toss the dry sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
- Arrange on baking sheets: Spread the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer on one or two large baking sheets. Do not overcrowd the pan; give them space so they roast instead of steam. This is crucial for achieving crispy oven roasted sweet potatoes.
- Roast: Place the sheets in the preheated oven. Roast for 20 minutes.
- Toss and continue roasting: Remove the sheets, toss the potatoes gently, and return them to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are tender inside and caramelized on the edges.
- Serve immediately as an easy sweet potato side dish.
Notes
- For the best results, use high heat (425°F) and avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. Give the potatoes space to breathe.
- If you prefer a sweeter, more caramelized result, use the maple syrup and cinnamon coating, and consider adding a drizzle of honey in the last five minutes of cooking.
- If you are making these for a holiday meal, prepare the cubes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator, dried well, before tossing with oil and spices just before roasting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 33
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0