Description
These Sweet & Spicy Smashed Sweet Potatoes are a perfect blend of natural sweetness and bold spices, baked to crispy perfection. Soft on the inside and crispy on the edges, they’re drizzled with honey and seasoned with a smoky, spicy blend for a deliciously addictive side dish or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
Seasonings & 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 Oven: Preheat the 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, then slice them into roughly 1-inch thick rounds for even cooking.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potato rounds in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes, ensuring they are soft enough to smash but not falling apart.
- Drain and Cool: Carefully drain the sweet potatoes and let them cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
- Smash Sweet Potatoes: Transfer the sweet potato rounds to the prepared baking sheet. Using a fork or potato masher, gently press down each round until about ½-inch thick, creating a flattened shape with some texture on the surface.
- Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over all the smashed sweet potatoes to help them crisp up while baking.
- Season: In a small bowl, mix salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle this flavorful seasoning blend evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Drizzle Honey: Drizzle honey over the seasoned sweet potatoes to add a touch of sweetness that complements the spicy seasoning.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges of the sweet potatoes become crispy and golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let them cool a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for a fresh pop of color and flavor.
- Serve Warm: Enjoy these smashed sweet potatoes warm as a tasty side dish or snack.
Notes
- Boil the sweet potatoes just until fork-tender to maintain the structure for smashing.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control spice level according to your taste.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the sweet potatoes for 1-2 minutes at the end, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Honey adds sweetness that balances the spicy seasoning, but you can substitute with maple syrup if preferred.
- Optional fresh parsley garnish adds color and a fresh herbaceous note.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to retain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
