Description
These Sweet & Spicy Smashed Sweet Potatoes are a delicious twist on a classic side dish, featuring boiled then oven-baked sweet potato rounds smashed and seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices, olive oil, and honey. Crispy on the edges and tender inside, this recipe offers a perfect balance of sweetness and heat, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
Seasoning & Toppings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare sweet potatoes: Wash and peel the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Slice them into rounds approximately 1 inch thick for even cooking.
- Boil sweet potatoes: Place the sweet potato rounds in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain and cool: Carefully drain the cooked sweet potatoes and allow them to cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
- Smash sweet potatoes: Transfer the sweet potato rounds onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a fork or potato masher, gently press down each round until it is about ½ inch thick, creating a smashed effect.
- Add olive oil: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over all the smashed sweet potatoes, ensuring each piece is coated for crispiness.
- Season: In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix over the sweet potatoes evenly for balanced flavor and heat.
- Add honey: Drizzle honey over the seasoned sweet potatoes to add a pleasant sweetness that balances the spicy seasoning.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the sweet potatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges become crispy and golden brown.
- Cool slightly: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the smashed sweet potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired to add freshness and serve the sweet potatoes warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the sweet potatoes for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for milder or spicier results.
- These sweet potatoes make an excellent side dish for grilled meats or plant-based meals.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
- Using fresh parsley as garnish adds a vibrant color and fresh herb aroma but is optional.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
