Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Name: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter (divided); 3 large sweet potatoes; 3 cloves garlic (sliced); Fresh thyme; Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

By Jas on Nov 1, 2016 · Updated: Oct 21, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

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Cook Time 1 hr

These crispy roasted sweet potato slices seasoned with garlic and thyme are the perfect side dish for any protein.

The recipe is simple, requiring just a few ingredients and yielding crispy and buttery goodness your whole family will love!

An oval dish with slices of crispy roasted sweet potatoes sitting on a table.

Sweet potatoes were on my ‘food-I-hate’ list for a long time. Then at some party, trying not to insult the host who baked them to their crispiness, I took a few bites, and I was hooked.

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Usually, I roast them spread on a cookie sheet, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt, pepper, and cumin.

Then I roast them crispy, but sometimes they stick to the bottom of the sheet. This method of roasting gets them crispy without all the sticky mess.

Sweet potato fries with sour cream or caramel sauce are also often on our menu rotation, as are stuffed. We also love them for brunch, pan-fried with eggs.

Why it Works

Baked sweet potato slices are crispy, almost caramelized, on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside.
They are paleo and Whole30 friendly.
They’re easy to throw together with just a few ingredients.
They’re great for meal prepping.
They are an excellent source of beta-carotene, vitamin A and C, and potassium.
They go with everything and are the perfect side for your holiday meal! Who doesn’t love yams with Thanksgiving turkey? This recipe is much healthier than the usual candied yams our grandmas used to serve.

🛒Ingredients and Notes

Ingredients needed for roasted potatoes recipe.

Sweet potatoes: There are many varieties. Red and orange-skinned are "moist," sweeter, and creamier, but if your grocery store only carries one type, make sure they’re firm, without growth sprouts, soft spots, patchy colors, or bruises on their skin. In short, look for the perfect sweet potato! 😄
Butter: The butter adds an incredible flavor to roasted sweet potatoes; however, if you’re vegan or on a low-fat diet, you can use vegan butter or oil instead. Olive oil, avocado, grapeseed, and coconut oil work well.
Spices: We only use salt and pepper and get the most flavors from garlic and thyme. You can add your favorite spice blend or try these: paprika, cumin, onion powder, and chili powder. If you’re not sure what spices and herbs complement each other, download this helpful spice guide.

🔪Step by Step Instructions

Step by step photos of how to prepare crispy sweet potatoes.

Wash potatoes. Using a sharp knife, slice them into thin rounds, no thicker than ¼-inch (microwaving potatoes for 2-3 minutes makes them more pliable).
Carefully arrange the slices upright in a greased pan; tuck in garlic and thyme among slices.
Brush sweet potato slices with the remaining two tablespoons melted butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bake until potatoes are tender and crisp. Garnish with fresh thyme.

💡Top Tips

Make sure to get potatoes uniformed in size.
Different types cook differently, so it is imperative to check them during cooking than relying solely on time. Not to mention that oven temperatures vary too!
Sweet potatoes are tough to cut, so I like to microwave them for a few minutes to soften them up a bit. If you want to omit this step, make sure to sharpen your knife! You can also use a mandoline slicer, but I find these slices are too thin. It is excellent for making sweet potato chips, though.
If your sweet potatoes are small, you can make them Hasselback-style: cut them almost all the way through (left joined at the bottom) into thin, fan-like slices. Just make sure to serve one potato per person.
You can use a 9-inch square or round metal or ceramic baking pan. I wouldn't suggest using a glass pan. I find they don't get as crispy in it.

A pweson serving roasted sweet potatoes in an oval white pan.

How To Serve It

They are excellent with chicken, pork roast, and Thanksgiving turkey. You can use leftovers to toss them with your salads or vegetable/grain and burrito bowls.

❓FAQs

Should I boil them before roasting?

It is a matter of personal preference. For this recipe, I scrubbed them and kept the skin on.

How long does it take to roast sweet potatoes?

This depends on the recipe and the size of the potato slices. At 400 degrees F, they should take about 45-60 minutes. Bake until potatoes are completely cooked through, and the edges turn crispy.

How to store leftover baked sweet potato slices?

Store them in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. Reheat them in a microwave (they won’t be crispy, but still delicious) or your oven.

Other Amazing Recipes to Try

More delicious and healthy sides to try:

A close up of the potato dish with a fork

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