Oven roasted sweet potato halves will soon become your new favorite side dish! All you do is slice them in half, brush with olive oil, put them in the oven, and 30 minutes later you have perfectly crispy, golden brown baked sweet potato halves with a caramelized exterior and creamy center!
This is my favorite thing to serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf — sweet, savory, and so satisfying next to comforting meatloaf!
Sweet potatoes have always been one of my favorite vegetables. They're always on the table at either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Served as either a side, like this recipe or my Candied Stove Top Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potato Cornbread. But also as a dessert! Who can resist Sweet Potato Casserole (not me!)? Coming soon, I'll also have my Sweet Potato Pie up on the blog.
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Why You'll Love Roasted Sweet Potato Halves
Easy prep. Just slice the potatoes in half lengthwise (no need to peel them).
Simple ingredients. Sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper. You likely already have most ingredients on hand.
Not too heavy. With all the rich and heavy holiday sides, you need something lighter that still feels still cozy and satisfying!
Not just for the holidays. Crispy Roasted Sweet Potato Halves go with literally anything, from holiday feasts to regular ole weeknight dinners. I love to serve them with these tender and juicy Buttermilk Brined Pork Chops! Now that's a southern meal!
Ingredients and Notes
Sweet potatoes - not the same as yams! Yams are not as sweet, have tougher skins, and tend to be flavorless. I live in the south, so I'm not even sure if the stores here carry yams. Nevertheless, reach for sweet potatoes!
Olive oil - essential for that perfect combo of crispy, caramelized outside and creamy inside!
Salt and pepper - adds a hint of flavor but not necessary as the sweet potatoes will be sweet and creamy after roasting them.
For a Southern-style veggie that’s as easy as it gets, my Roasted Frozen Okra is the perfect match for Cajun salmon. It’s flavorful, roasted to perfection, and ready in minutes!
Substitutions and Additions
- This recipe works great with any kind of potatos, including Russet potatoes, red potatoes, and Yukon Golds.
- Coconut oil or avocado oil can be used instead of olive oil.
- Before roasting, sprinkle with spices, herbs, or even a bit of brown sugar before roasting to elevate the flavor.
- These potatoes are extremely delicious eaten as is right from the oven. But to fancy them up, top with butter and cinnamon after they've roasted.
How to Roast Sweet Potato Halves
Step 1 - Slice each potato in half lengthwise.
Step 2 - Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle the cut side with some salt and pepper.
Step 3 - Bake cut side down for 30 minutes.
Step 4 - Delicioius eaten as is! For a special treat, top with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
What Goes with Sweet Potatoes
There are several main dishes that you can serve with sweet potatoes on the side. Serve them with chicken, beef, pork, or seafood. Here are some great options:
Holiday Meal Plan
Not decided on what to cook for the holidays? I'd love to help you out with these tried and true recipes that pair well with sweet potatoes:
- Thanksgiving Chicken – A flavorful and juicy chicken dish perfect for small holiday gatherings. It's a great alternative to turkey because its rich, savory seasonings make it extra special for the holidays. Double the recipe for a larger crowd.
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole – A classic side dish that's nearly effortless. Layer the ingredients in a baking dish (so easy!) and bake. Very creamy and rich!
- Southern Mac and Cheese – A super easy mac and cheese without flour; just 4 ingredients. It's such a popular recipe on my blog year round!
- Fruit Salad - Apple, orange, grapes, pineapple, and banana are tossed in a honey lime dressing then topped with chopped pecans!
- Southern Pecan Pie – This old fashioned pie is my grandmother's recipe and offers a rich and nutty finish to your perfect meal.
Tips for Success
Here are some super useful tips for making crispy baked sweet potato halves:
- Cut evenly – Make sure your sweet potato halves are cut in equal sized halves so they bake in the same amount of time.
- High heat is key – Roast at 400°F (or even 425°F) to really get that crispy, caramelized exterior while keeping the inside creamy.
- Place cut-side down – Keeps them from moving around on the pan and helps the edges to brown beautifully and caramelize.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Give the potatoes space to roast. If they’re too close, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy.
- Use parchment or foil – For easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, but don't use a silicone mat (see FAQs).
- Season before roasting – A little salt, pepper, and maybe even a sprinkle of paprika or cinnamon before roasting can really enhance the flavor.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or enjoy cold!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, a silicone mat might make them less crispy. For maximum crispiness, roast directly on the pan!
They might roast a bit faster, so keep an eye on them, but the result will still be delicious!
Yes, but the flavor will be slightly different. Coconut oil might add a hint of sweetness!
Plain sweet potatoes are a good choice for most people. They're rich in vitamins and antioxidants, high in fiber, and have so many other benefits. Consumer Reports has an interesting article you might enjoy, Are Sweet Potatoes Good for You?
More Holiday Side Dishes
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Recipe
Roasted Sweet Potato Halves
Equipment
- large sheet pan
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes all about the same size
- 3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- salt, a light sprinkling
- pepper, a light sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Brush the botton of a large rimmed sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes under running water to remove any dirt. Dry with paper towels. Slice each potato in half lengthwise.
- Brush the tops and bottoms of each sweet potato half with the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle the cut sides with some salt and pepper.
- Place the sweet potato halves, cut side down, on the sheet pan and roast for 30 minutes. Tips: Make sure the sides aren't touching; they need some space in order to get crispy. Test for doneness when a toothpick is easily inserted into the potato.
- Delicious to eat as is! Or top with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Notes
-
- Cut evenly – Make sure your sweet potato halves are cut in equal sized halves so they bake in the same amount of time.
-
- High heat is key – Roast at 400°F (or even 425°F) to really get that crispy, caramelized exterior while keeping the inside creamy.
-
- Place cut-side down – Keeps them from moving around on the pan and helps the edges to brown beautifully and caramelize.
-
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Give the potatoes space to roast. If they’re too close, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy.
-
- Use parchment or foil – For easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, but don't use a silicone mat (see FAQs).
-
- Season before roasting – A little salt, pepper, and maybe even a sprinkle of paprika or cinnamon before roasting can really enhance the flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or enjoy cold!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
Jerry E Swallow
Bake for 30 minutes! Anything to Say about the temperature? I reread this three times to see the oven setting. I didn’t see it. It must be me. I’m sure this creative entrepreneur wouldn’t leave that out.
Anne Clark
Hey Jerry, thanks for visiting my blog and asking about my Sweet Potato Halves recipe! The oven temperature is listed in the recipe card (400F). I hope you give it a try and let me know how it turned out. Have a wonderful week!