These oven roasted sweet potatoes require just 5 ingredients that take 5 minutes to prep, and serve 5 people! They have a crispy caramelized crust and are very tender and soft inside. Sure to please even the pickiest eaters!
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a great source of fiber, plus vitamins A, B6, C, as well as magnesium, and are high in antioxidants which help protect your body. They are low in calories, have less carbs than white potatoes, and can positively impact gut, brain, eye and immune health. I am a picky eater that previously didn’t like them, but I’ve kept trying different recipes, and this one is a hit. My doctor has been recommending these for so long because they’re a healthy choice, and this recipe makes them so delicious!
How To Pick A Good Sweet Potato
As someone who wasn’t a fan of sweet potatoes for so long, I had to learn how to select a good sweet potato at the supermarket. I did plenty of research, and asked questions in the store. These are some tips I learned:
- Sometimes supermarkets mark red and orange sweet potatoes as yams, because they can be quite similar.
- The red and orange sweet potatoes are known as “Moist” Sweet potatoes, with a texture that is sweeter and creamier.
- Tan and purple sweet potatoes are known as “Dry” Sweet potatoes and more tart than sweet with a dry, starchy texture.
- Avoid ANY potatoes that are soft to the touch (you can squeeze them) or that are wet.
- You ALWAYS want potatoes that are firm to the touch/squeeze.
- Select potatoes without growths or discolorations.
- I prefer to select potatoes that are more evenly shaped without “bumps” so they’re easier to peel – if I am peeling them.
- Always store your potatoes in a dry, cool, dark place. Toss any that turn wet or mold.
Do You Have To Peel Sweet Potatoes Before Roasting?
This is a personal preference, and can your choice can depend on the way you are preparing them.
Either way, ALWAYS scrub the potatoes clean before preparing them. I have used the inexpensive brush featured below for probably 10 years. I replace as needed, but this lasts for a LONG TIME with frequent use in our home. Recently I won a Norwex Veggie & Fruit Scrub Cloth as a door prize at a party, and it works great, too, but is more expensive.
Do I need to Boil my Sweet Potatoes Before Roasting?
Nope. That is not necessary for this recipe.
How To Cut A Sweet Potato For Roasting
- Scrub the sweet potato clean, pat dry with cloth or paper towel.
- Decide if you are going to peel or not.
- If you are peeling the potatoes, peel them first.
- I cut off the very ends and toss them, making a more stable potato on my cutting board.
- Next, I cut into slices, in equal sizes.
- Now, chop each slice into smaller pieces, about 1/2 an inch thick. Again, this is personal preference, some like them smaller, others larger. Either way, just try to get them as close to equal size as possible so they cook evenly.
How to Roast Sweet Potatoes in the Oven:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, bacon grease or butter, salt, pepper, and brown sugar.
Stir until all the sweet potatoes are coated.
Spread sweet potatoes evenly over a baking sheet.
Don’t overcrowd the pan.
This is important, so they cook evenly and turn out golden brown. If you need a large quantity, bake using 2 pans on separate racks or bake in batches, if needed.
Place sweet potatoes in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove sweet potatoes from oven and stir the pieces around the baking sheet.
Top with chopped bacon and return to oven for 10 minutes.
Before serving, stir sweet potatoes and bacon to coat with the glaze on the pan.
How Long Does It Take To Roast Sweet Potatoes?
At 425 degrees, these ½-inch thick sweet potato chunks take 30-40 minutes to cook. If you chop in smaller pieces they may roast faster, larger pieces may require more time.
VARIATIONS ON THIS ROASTED SWEET POTATOES RECIPE:
- For extra caramelization, sprinkle cubes with a little sugar or brown sugar before putting in the oven.
- Drizzle with melted butter for some extra flavor, also consider honey or maple syrup.
- You can add spices & seasonings for different flavors. Suggestions, oregano, rosemary, thyme, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, seasoned salt, or any flavor you enjoy!
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
These oven roasted sweet potatoes require just 5 ingredients that take 5 minutes to prep, and serve 5 people! They have a crispy caramelized crust and are very tender and soft inside. Sure to please even the pickiest eaters!
Ingredients
- 5 pieces of bacon, cooked and chopped
- 5 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease (or melted butter)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, bacon grease or butter, salt, pepper, and brown sugar.
- Stir until all the sweet potatoes are coated.
- Spread sweet potatoes evenly over a baking sheet.
- Place sweet potatoes in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove sweet potatoes from oven and stir the pieces around the baking sheet.
- Top with chopped bacon and return to oven for 10 minutes.
- Before serving, stir sweet potatoes and bacon to coat with the glaze on the pan.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
5Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 212Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 666mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 6g
How to Store and Reheat Roasted Sweet Potatoes
To store leftover Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes, allow them to cool completely. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Reheat in an oven or air fryer to desired temperature to maintain crisp texture. Otherwise, you can safely reheat in the microwave, but they will not be as crisp.
Nena Sinclair
Tuesday 24th of August 2021
This looks absolutely delicious!