Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of the most versatile vegetables ever. They taste amazing steamed, boiled, mashed and especially baked. I personally love roasting them because it gives you this whole new flavour profile with a crispy, caramelized edge and a soft, smooth chewy center. It is perfect for a picnic, barbeque or just to have on hand as a side dish, topped on a salad, or rolled in a wrap. They really can just be added to practically any meal. Having said that, it’s equally as good eaten just as is and is in fact my favourite way of consuming them. 

Apart from being delicious, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants & Vitamin A. This superfood is also packed full of fibre, potassium, folate, Vitamin C, iron, copper and beta-carotene, which also helps protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Additionally, not only do sweet potatoes pack in a good amount of iron, they also contain copper – a mineral that helps your body absorb iron!

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes

To get perfectly roasted cubes, there’s a few key steps to success. Here’s how to do it:

1. You can peel or not peel the potatoes, it’s entirely up to you. Either way works with this recipe, so it’s simply personal preference. I personally keep the skin on but if you prefer a more consistent texture, remove the skin.
2. Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Try to cut them all the same size so that they roast evenly. Place the cubes in a single layer onto a baking sheet, making sure there’s space between them.
3. Toss the sweet potatoes in oil and seasonings. A couple tablespoons of avocado oil (or olive oil) will give the potatoes those caramelized and crispy edges. And a little shake of savory spices like cumin, paprika and garlic powder will take them next level.
4. Roast at 180°C for around 30 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Don't forget to toss the cubes halfway through so that all of the sides are evenly cooked. 

How to Season Sweet Potatoes

While sweet potatoes taste delicious with just a sprinkle of salt and pepper, a little extra seasoning can really elevate the flavour. If you’re looking to add a warming vibe to this recipe, try roasting with a blend of cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.

The amount of spices I’ve added to this recipe is fairly minimal. It adds a burst of flavor without going overboard. However, feel free to double the spice quantity listed in the recipe for a greater kick.

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cook time: 35 minutes 

Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pounds sweet potatoes (2-3 potatoes), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons avocado oil, or olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. 

2. Wash, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes.

3. Add the avocado oil and spices to the sweet potatoes. Use your hands to toss everything together until it's well mixed.

4. Arrange the sweet potato in a single layer on a large baking sheet, making sure there's space between the cubes.

5. Roast at 180°C for around 30 minutes, (or until sweet potato is soft and tender), stirring once halfway through to ensure all sides are cooked through.

6. Remove from oven and set aside. Enjoy! 

Tips:

If you'd like the roasted sweet potatoes to have a stronger flavour, simply double the seasoning.

Don’t crowd your baking sheet. If the sweet potato cubes are too close together, they’ll steam rather than roast and get crispy. It’s best to divide a large batch onto two baking sheets.

Roasted sweet potatoes are an easy one pan recipe and great for meal prepping. They’re perfectly seasoned, caramelized on the outside and soft on the inside. If you are not already a fan of sweet potatoes, I hope you will like this recipe! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and don’t forget to tag @moniquenikki on Instagram and hashtag it #eatwithmoniquenikki so I can see all the deliciousness!

With love,