How to roast sweet potatoes in oven

Ingredients

4 sweet potatoes (about 1.2kg), peeled
2 tbsp olive oil
sliced red onions, unpeeled garlic cloves, thyme sprigs or other veg or herbs of your choice (optional)

Method

STEP 1
Heat the oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Chop the sweet potatoes into 2-3cm cubes.
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STEP 2
Tip into a large, shallow roasting tin, drizzle with the oil and season with salt and pepper. If you're adding additional veg or herbs, such as sliced red onions, garlic cloves and thyme, tip these in as well. Toss everything together to coat in the oil, then roast for 20 mins. Toss again to ensure the potatoes cook evenly, and roast for another 15-20 mins until the potatoes are lightly browned on the outside and tender when pierced with a fork or knife.

Recipe tips

The sweet potatoes can be spiced by tossing them in a sprinkling of chilli powder, paprika, whole cumin seeds or garam marsala before roasting.

Other vegetables can be roasted alongside the sweet potatoes. Wedges of red onion or chunks of squash can be added, or whole garlic cloves can be tossed in after 20 mins of cooking.

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Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with irresistible caramelised edges and incredible flavour!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes need only 5 ingredients to get you hooked! Baked sweet potatoes are so easy to make, right up there with potatoes, making them an incredible side dish ready to be served with absolutely anything.

Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes would have to be one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen. Baked, smashed, mashed, stuffed or made into wedges, cakes and casseroles.

One of the easiest and most useful ways to cook sweet potatoes is to roast them.

How To Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Oven

Preheat your oven at a high temperature.
Chop them into 2-inch pieces. Cutting them into small pieces generally means a faster cook time, more crisp outer sides and delicious caramelized edges.
Spread them out in a single layer on your baking sheet. Give them room and allow the heat to distribute evenly, circulating perfectly around each piece.
Season them. We use garlic, olive oil, melted butter, salt and pepper, but you can pretty much use whatever you have on hand. Chili powder, garlic or onion powder.
Garnish your roasted sweet potatoes with fresh chopped parsley as it is mild enough to allow the flavours of the sweet potatoes to shine through! Other herbs like thyme or rosemary taste incredible with sweet potatoes.

How long to bake sweet potatoes?

It can take from 45-55 minutes, depending on your oven and if it’s been preheated. I usually wait until the 45 minute mark before testing one with a fork. If your fork slides through it easily, they’re ready.

Once taken out of the oven, season with a little extra salt and pepper if desired.

Do you need to peel sweet potatoes?

This is a personal question depending on what results you’re after. Sweet potato skins are edible and become crispy in the oven while roasting, just like regular potatoes.

The beauty of roasted sweet potatoes is that they can be cooked either way and still be absolutely incredible. You can always adjust this recipe to suit your taste.

What to serve with roasted sweet potatoes

You will love these roasted sweet potatoes with Roast Chicken, Roast Pork, Prime Rib or Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey.

Looking for more Sweet Potato Recipes?

Garlic Herb Chicken & Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Meal Prep
Sweet Potato Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Savory Recipe)

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES VIDEO

2 pounds (1 kg) sweet potatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic (8 cloves garlic)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 220°C | 425°F. Lightly spray a baking sheet or tray with cooking oil spray.
Arrange the sweet potatoes on the sheet in one layer, and add the oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Toss until the potatoes are well coated and seasoned.
Roast in the oven for 45 -55 minutes, while flipping occasionally, until fork tender.
Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and season with a little extra salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle over with parsley and serve immediately!

Reader Interactions

Is it better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil?

Not only does wrapping them in foil make for easy clean-up, but it locks in the steam for tender and fluffy potatoes!

How long does it take for a sweet potato to bake at 375?

An average-sized sweet potato will take 45 to 50 minutes to bake in a preheated oven set to 375 degrees F.

Should sweet potatoes be boiled before roasting?

While you certainly can boil your sweet potatoes before roasting, it's not necessary and I would discourage it. Boiling sweet potatoes creates more steps, more dirty dishes, and it affects the taste for the worse in my opinion.

How long do sweet potatoes have to bake?

A good rule of thumb for whole baked sweet potatoes: 45 minutes to 1 hour at 400 degrees F; 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes at 350 degrees F; 1 and 1/2 hours at 325 degrees F. You'll know the sweet potatoes are done by piercing the center of the sweet potato with the tip of a sharp knife; the flesh should yield easily.