Roasting sweet potatoes makes them tasty and healthy. They’re packed with both flavor and nutrients once roasted, and you can use them in various ways: as a main dish, a side dish, or even in desserts.
Whether you want a nutritious side, a tasty addition to salads, or a filling snack, roasted sweet potatoes are a great choice. In this guide, we’ll go through each step to show you just how to roast whole sweet potatoes with ease.
Note: The photos here show the roasting of one sweet potato. However, the instructions, oven temperature, and cooking time remain the same no matter how many you’re roasting.
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Toppings of your choice
How to Roast Whole Sweet Potatoes
Step 1: Choose the Right Sweet Potatoes:
Before even getting started with roasting your sweet potatoes, it’s important to select the right ones. You’ll want to choose firm, unblemished sweet potatoes that have a smooth skin and vibrant color. Of course, when it comes to color, there can be some leeway.
Since this is a root veggie (a type of vegetable where the edible portion grows in the ground), the sweet potatoes will be a bit dirty before you wash them. This causes them to look less vibrant. Just be sure to get the most vibrant ones you see.
Sweet Potatoes come in many varieties such as orange, purple, and white. Any type will work for roasting. Orange sweet potatoes tend to be sweeter and moister. White and Purple ones yield a slightly different flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
After picking your sweet potatoes, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Wash and scrub them under cold water to remove any dirt. Dry them with a paper towel.
Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork to allow steam to escape while it roasts. Rub them with a bit of olive oil and salt. (I’m using Himalayan salt, but you can use your salt of choice.)
Step 3: Roast Them…
Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place them in the preheated oven and roast them for about 45-60 minutes, or until they’re tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Step 4: Serve Them!
Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing them open, fluffing, and serving.
Enjoy your perfectly roasted sweet potatoes! You can serve it as is, or with your favorite toppings like salt, butter, cinnamon, or brown sugar.
Serving Suggestions:
- Traditional Toppings: Serve your roasted sweet potatoes with traditional toppings like butter, salt, and pepper. For a stronger flavor, you can also sprinkle on some fresh chopped parsley or chives.
- Sweet Toppings: For a touch of sweetness, drizzle your roasted sweet potatoes with honey, agave, or maple syrup. For extra flavor, sprinkle on some cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Dessert Style: Similar to the sweet toppings option, you can serve your sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows. This tastes similar to sweet potato pie! You can even add some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Savory Toppings: Savory ingredients make a great topping for roasted sweet potatoes. Top your roasted sweet potatoes with ingredients such as shredded cheese, crumbled feta cheese, sautéed mushrooms, crispy chopped bacon, or caramelized onions.
- Protein-Oriented: to turn your roasted sweet potatoes into a well rounded meal, fill them with chopped cooked chicken, cooked ground beef, chickpeas, cooked quinoa, or tofu crumbles. Add your sauce and other toppings of your choice.
- Taco Style: Treat the sweet potatoes as your taco shell and load them with toppings such as your favorite protein, corn beans, salsa, and sour cream. For some added color and flavor sprinkle on a little cilantro. If you like spicy, add some jalapeños for a kick!
These are just some ideas of how to serve your roasted sweet potatoes. What way do you like to serve your whole roasted sweet potatoes? Do you lean more toward traditional toppings? Or, do you prefer to get more creative with your toppings? However you choose to serve your roasted sweet potatoes, I certainly hope you enjoy them!
