Roasted sweet potatoes that are crispy and seasoned to perfection make the best side dish for any meal! We are sharing all the tips for making them the best.
Years ago I started to piece together different recipes for the most incredible roasted potatoes ever until I had what I thought was the best recipe ever. And then I saw a post all about adding baking soda to the water that you boil the potatoes in followed by a toss in an empty pan to make the edges all shaggy thus creating a crust on the potatoes and I’ve been sold ever since. Obviously I had no choice but to try the method on sweet potatoes (yams are fine) and my goodness, BEST DECISION EVER!!!
They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and I literally cannot stop putting them into my mouth.
You only need a few ingredients to make these crispy sweet potatoes and you’ll feel like you’re eating at a fine dining restaurant. Good grief, I’m totally craving them now! Here is what you will need:
We promised all the tips for the best roasted sweet potatoes on the planet and now we deliver…
I love to make this roasted sweet potato recipe as a side dish to a classic comfort food main dish like a roasted chicken or a garlic butter steak.
You could also add them to a salad or in our sweet potato enchiladas. Toss them in a taco or into a burrito bowl. These also make a great breakfast alongside some scrambled eggs and bacon.
Should I Peel Sweet Potatoes for Roasting?
This is totally up to you! I usually do peel them, but I have left them with skin on before and they are very tasty. I prefer the texture of them without the skin myself, but do what you love.
How to Choose a Good Sweet Potato
When you’re picking out your sweet potatoes, look for ones that are evenly shaped that are firm with no squishy spots. It is also awesome if they feel heavier than they look.
I love to make this roasted sweet potato recipe as a side dish to a classic comfort food main dish like a roasted chicken or a garlic butter steak.
You could also add them to a salad or in our sweet potato enchiladas. Toss them in a taco or into a burrito bowl. These also make a great breakfast alongside some scrambled eggs and bacon.
Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Sweet Potatoes
FAQ
Should you boil sweet potatoes before baking?
Should you parboil potatoes before roasting?
How long does it take to parboil sweet potatoes?
Why are my roasted sweet potatoes not crispy?
Can You boil sweet potatoes if you parboil them?
When you parboil, you boil the sweet potatoes in salted water for a few minutes. Blanching is different in that you’d then submerge the potatoes in ice water to immediately stop the cooking process. Peel (if desired) and chop sweet potatoes into 1” chunks. Bring a saucepan 3/4 of the way full of clean, cold water to a boil.
Why boil sweet potatoes instead of baking them?
Baked sweet potatoes have a higher glycemic index than boil sweet potatoes. This is because the type of cooking affects the structure of the potato starch, making it more or less digestible. That is, the starch in the baked potato is digested more quickly than the starch in the boil sweet potato, thus raising the blood glucose rate more quickly and in greater amounts than when we boil the potato. Roasted sweet potatoes have a glycemic index of 94, while baked potatoes have a 46.
Do you peel sweet potatoes before roasting?
Yes! For the best flavor and caramelization, peel the sweet potatoes before roasting. 1. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. One-inch cubes are the ideal size when cutting up the peeled potatoes.
How long do you boil sweet potatoes?
Peel (if desired) and chop sweet potatoes into 1” chunks. Bring a saucepan 3/4 of the way full of clean, cold water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Add sweet potatoes to the water and boil for 5-7 minutes. Drain and cool. How do I use my parboiled sweet potatoes?