Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that's also healthy? Look no further than roasted sweet potatoes! This recipe combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with a drizzle of honey and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Avocado oil coats the potatoes before roasting, helping create a crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender and moist. If you want to add a bit of crunch, you can also include some chopped pecans.
This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner, a potluck, or any other occasion when you want to enjoy a wholesome and flavorful dish. So let's get roasting!
Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Sweet potatoes: Provide the main flavor and substance of the dish, offering a sweet and earthy taste and a soft texture when roasted.
- Avocado oil: Coats the sweet potatoes for roasting, helping to crisp up the exterior and add a rich flavor.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and caramelization to the sweet potatoes during roasting, enhancing their natural flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses warmth and spice into the dish, complementing the sweetness of the potatoes and honey.
- Fresh nutmeg: Provides a warm and aromatic flavor, adding depth to the overall taste profile.
- Pecans: Offer a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, enhancing the dish's overall texture and providing a contrast to the soft sweet potatoes.
- Kosher salt: Seasoning that enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances out the sweetness of the honey and potatoes.
How to Make Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle. While the oven heats, place pecans on a baking sheet to toast until they smell nutty and are slightly darker, about 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and set aside. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle with avocado oil and honey. Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt over the potatoes and toss to coat.
Roast until golden brown and tender when pierced with a knife, about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve roasted sweet potatoes with a drizzle of honey and a scattering of pecans.
FAQ
Can I add other spices to this recipe?
You can experiment with adding other spices, such as cumin, paprika, or turmeric, for different flavor combinations.
Should sweet potatoes be soaked before roasting?
It is not necessary to soak sweet potatoes before roasting. However, some people choose to soak them for a short time (30 minutes to 1 hour) in cold water before roasting to remove some of the starch and improve their texture.
Soaking may also help to make the sweet potatoes more tender and caramelized when roasted. However, this step is optional.
If you choose to soak your sweet potatoes before roasting, pat them dry thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel before proceeding with the recipe.
Why are my roasted sweet potatoes soggy?
If the sweet potatoes are too close to the baking sheet, they may steam instead of roast, resulting in a soft and soggy texture.
Another reason might be that you use too much oil when roasting the sweet potatoes; they may become greasy and wet instead of crispy and caramelized.
Can I use olive oil instead of avocado oil in this recipe?
You can use olive oil instead of avocado oil. However, olive oil has a lower smoke point than avocado oil, so it may not be the best choice for high-heat cooking methods like roasting.
If you use olive oil, you may need to lower the oven temperature slightly and keep a closer eye on the sweet potatoes to prevent them from burning.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can make this recipe vegan by substituting maple syrup or agave nectar for the honey. You can also omit the pecans or substitute them with another type of nut, such as almonds or walnuts.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
You can add other vegetables to this recipe, such as carrots, onions, or bell peppers. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly with the sweet potatoes.
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- Roasted Sweet potato
- Baked Cajun sweet potato
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- Potato Hash
- Baked Potatoes
Recipe
Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- ¼ cup avocado oil , plus more for drizzling potatoes after cooked
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fresh nutmeg , grated
- ⅔ cup roughly chopped pecans , optional
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle.
- While the oven heats, place pecans on a baking sheet to toast until they smell nutty and are slightly darker, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and drizzle with avocado oil and honey. Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt over the potatoes and toss to coat. Roast until golden brown and tender when pierced with a knife, about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve roasted sweet potatoes with a drizzle of honey and a scattering of pecans.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.