Roasted sweet potatoes with bold spices and crispy edges. This easy side dish is loaded with big flavor and perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners. Dice, spice, bake, boom! Always a hit.
We’re roasting up a pan of sweet potatoes today, my friends, and we’re doing it with big, bold flavor. Think sweet, smoky, and gently spicy, with crispy edges and tender centers that practically melt in your mouth.
This is an easy oven roasted sweet potato recipe you can toss together any night of the week, and it's also perfect for the holiday table.
The seasoning leans into my favorite savory herb-and-spice combo, inspired by the bold flavors of the South without being tied to any one blend. It’s familiar enough for picky eaters, but still exciting for flavor seekers and chiliheads.
I’ve tested this recipe multiple times in my kitchen to get the balance of crisp edges, tender centers, and bold seasoning just right. This method consistently delivers great results.
Let's roast some sweet potatoes! I think you're going to love them.
Ingredients for Roasted Sweet Potatoes
The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes.
- Oil. For crisping and browning. Extra virgin olive oil is great, or use avocado oil for its higher smoke point.
- Salt and Black Pepper. To taste.
Roasted Sweet Potato Seasonings
- Smoked Paprika.
- Onion Powder.
- Garlic Powder.
- Dried Basil.
- Dried Oregano.
- Cayenne Pepper (optional). For just a touch of heat.
- Light Brown Sugar (optional). Helps with caramelization, for those who enjoy a touch of sweet with their sweet potatoes.
Finishing Touches
- Fresh Cilantro or Parsley. A pop of fresh flavor.
- Lime Juice. Adds a pop of bright acidity.
- Coarse Sea Salt.
- Chili Flakes. A little extra heat, if desired, and it looks nice, too!
Best Sweet Potatoes for Roasting
I've found that orange-fleshed sweet potatoes work best for roasting. They turn nice and creamy-tender inside and still give those nicely caramelized edges everyone loves.
Peel them or leave the skins on for extra texture - both work great. Just be sure to cut them into uniform cubes so they cook evenly and crisp up properly.
White or yellow sweet potatoes are starchier and a bit drier, so they won’t brown quite as deeply, but they still roast well and will work just fine if that’s what you have.
How to Roast Sweet Potatoes in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). High heat is key for browning.
Extra crispy tip: Place your baking sheet in the oven while it preheats.
Prep the potatoes. Peel if you prefer a softer bite, or leave the skins on for extra texture. They're delicious either way.
Cut into ½-inch cubes, keeping them as uniform as possible so they cook evenly.
Season them up. Toss the sweet potatoes with oil, salt, pepper, and the mix of spices. Make sure every cube is evenly coated.
Time Saving Tip: Use my homemade Creole seasoning recipe (made ahead) or your favorite brand.
Spread them out. Arrange the sweet potatoes on a hot baking sheet or sheet pan in a single layer. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of roasting, so give them some space. Use parchment paper for easy clean up.
Roast until caramelized. Bake for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through (or better, every 10 minutes). They’re done when the edges are browned and the centers are fork-tender.
Finish them up. Right out of the oven, add fresh herbs, a squeeze of lime juice, coarse sea salt, or chili flakes to bring it all together.
Boom! Done! Your roasted diced sweet potatoes are ready to serve. Let's eat! I'm hungry!
Mike's Recipe Tips & Notes
Want perfectly crispy roasted sweet potatoes? Here’s how to nail it every time:
- Crank the heat. Roasting at 425°F (220°C) gives you the best caramelization.
- Preheat the baking sheet. Adding the potatoes to a hot pan instantly boosts browning.
- Cut evenly. ½-inch cubes cook fast and crisp up without drying out.
- Don’t crowd the pan. Space between the cubes prevents steaming. This is the #1 mistake.
- Flip halfway through. This ensures both sides brown and cook evenly.
Optional sweet-heat finish: Drizzle with my hot honey recipe or spicy maple syrup right out of the oven. My personal favorite is my homemade chili crisp. Boom! Unreal flavor, my friends.
Serving Ideas (Holiday + Everyday)
These roasted sweet potatoes make an easy everyday side, but they are also perfect for the holiday table. Here are a few serving ideas:
- Salads and brunch. Pair roasted sweet potatoes with your favorite salad greens, or serve them with eggs and breakfast sausage for a hearty breakfast or brunch.
- Weeknight plates. Pair with grilled or baked chicken, smothered pork chops, sausages, or blackened salmon. They’re great anywhere you’d normally serve roasted potatoes or rice.
- Tacos and bowls. Toss the roasted cubes into tacos, burrito bowls, or grain bowls with black beans, avocado, roasted peppers, and a drizzle of hot sauce or creamy dressing.
- Holiday dinners. Serve with some of my awesome holiday recipes, like hot honey glazed ham, roasted turkey legs, or oven baked turkey wings. The sweet, spiced flavor balances rich mains and classic sides like scalloped potatoes, smothered green beans, and sausage stuffing.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes FAQ
Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?
Nope! The peel is totally edible and adds texture and nutrients. Peel for a softer, creamier bite. Leave the skins on for more texture.
How long does it take to roast sweet potatoes?
Sweet potato cubes roast best at 425°F (220°C) for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Smaller cubes cook a bit faster (25 minutes), while larger chunks (1 inch) may take closer to 35 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are caramelized and the centers are tender.
Why aren’t my roasted sweet potatoes getting crispy?
Two big reasons:
- Crowding the pan. If they’re touching, they’ll steam instead of roast.
- Oven or pan not hot enough. High heat is key. A preheated baking sheet gives you the crispiest edges.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can slice and season the potatoes up to a day ahead. For the best texture, roast them fresh. Reheated roasted sweet potatoes are still great, especially in the oven or air fryer.
Can I use an air fryer instead of the oven?
Absolutely. For air fryer sweet potatoes, cook the cubes at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They’ll get nice and crisp without heating the whole kitchen. I also tested this method and it works great.
Can I use different seasonings?
Totally. Roasted sweet potatoes work with almost any spice blend. Try some of these options:
- Cajun seasoning recipe
- Italian herb blends
- Homemade curry powder
- Cinnamon + smoked paprika (sweet-smoky combo)
- Use your favorites! Many recipes only use salt and pepper.
Can I skip the brown sugar?
Yes! The potatoes are naturally sweet. The sugar just helps with caramelization and adds a sweet-heat contrast. Skip it if you prefer less sweetness.
Can I use regular potatoes instead?
Yes. Yukon Golds or red potatoes work well, but they won’t be quite as sweet or caramelized as sweet potatoes. You may need to roast a bit longer.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover roasted sweet potatoes in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. They hold their texture very well and reheat beautifully.
Reheating:
- Oven (best method): Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and reheat at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until warmed through and crisped back up.
- Air fryer: Reheat at 375°F for 5-6 minutes for best crispiness.
- Skillet: Warm them in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave: The quickest option, but they’ll be softer. Microwave in short bursts (30-45 seconds) until heated through.
Freezing. You can freeze roasted sweet potatoes, but they tend to get soft after thawing. To freeze, spread them on a baking sheet and set in the freezer, then transfer to freezer bags to freeze individually. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy the roasted sweet potatoes! Let me know how they turned out for you!
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Want More Awesome Side Dishes?
- My Hot Honey Roasted Carrots are perfect, glazed with oil and hot honey then oven roasted.
- The best Homemade Mac and Cheese, classic American style, that my friends and family always reach for - stovetop or baked!
- This Roasted Pumpkin Recipe is lightly spiced, roasted until richly caramelized, then drizzled with sweet and spicy hot honey.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (~3 medium) sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil for a higher-smoke point
Roasted Sweet Potato Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper optional, for a touch of heat
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar optional, to play off the sweetness of the potatoes
- Optional finish: chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, a light drizzle of lime juice , coarse sea salt, chili flakes (I love chili crisp!)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). EXTRA CRISPY TIP: Preheat your baking sheet in the oven before adding the potatoes.
- Peel (or leave skins on for extra texture) and cut the sweet potatoes into roughly ½-inch cubes. Try to keep them uniform so they cook evenly.
- In a large bowl, toss the cubes with oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, cayenne (if using), and brown sugar (if using). Make sure each piece is nicely coated.
- Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Don’t overcrowd - spacing is key for crispy edges instead of steaming.
- Roast for about 30 minutes, flipping or tossing halfway through (around the 10-15 minute mark) to promote even browning. Look for golden, caramelized edges and tender centers.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with chopped herbs, a drizzle of lime juice, coarse sea salt, and chili flakes for a bright, spicy finish.
- Enjoy! Serve hot as a side dish or as part of your meal (tacos, grain bowls, salads, you name it!)
Nutrition Information
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