Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Let me introduce you to Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes! These little gems are not just your average side dish. With their crispy edges and soft, fluffy centers, they’re the perfect answer to the age-old question: “What should I make with dinner tonight?”
These sweet potatoes are so versatile! They pair wonderfully with a piece of salmon or a fresh cucumber salad, making them a great choice no matter the season. Seriously, you can whip them up anytime of the year and they’ll fit right in. I love serving them alongside my family’s favorite dish, Cast Iron Chicken Thighs. It’s a winning combination that never fails to impress.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I enjoy a good sweet potato casserole and creamy mashed sweet potatoes just as much as anyone. But I have to admit, I’ve swapped those out for this honey roasted version more times than I can count. They’re just so easy to make and packed with flavor! Plus, the sweetness from the honey really enhances the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes, making them even more delicious.
If you haven’t tried making these yet, I highly recommend it. They’re quick, simple, and sure to be a hit at your dinner table. Who knew a humble sweet potato could shine so brightly? Give it a go, and I think you’ll find yourself making them over and over again!
Why This Honey-Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe Works
Easy Dinners Made Simple
When it comes to dinner, you want something that’s quick and easy, right? Well, with Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes, it couldn’t be simpler! Once you peel and dice the sweet potatoes and toss them in a quick honey-lemon mix, all you have to do is roast them in the oven. Seriously, it’s that easy!
Simple Ingredients You Probably Already Have
One of the best things about this recipe is that you only need a handful of kitchen staples. No complicated ingredients here—just straightforward items that you probably have on hand already.
The Joy of Roasting
Oven-roasting vegetables is not only fast but also brings out incredible flavors. It’s a simple technique that can really elevate any meal you make. Plus, mastering roasting is a great way to quickly boost your cooking skills. If you’re on the hunt for more delicious side dishes, check out our Roasted Potatoes and Carrots recipe too!
Ingredients
For a detailed, printable ingredient list, be sure to check the recipe card below. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sweet Potatoes: Go for medium-sized ones—they pack more flavor than the bigger varieties.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin is best for high-heat cooking like roasting. I recommend using extra virgin olive oil because it has a higher smoke point, and I’ve never had issues roasting sweet potatoes at 425°F. A tip: Costco has a good, affordable extra virgin olive oil, although I wish they used glass bottles instead of plastic.
- Butter: Stick with unsalted butter for a balanced flavor.
- Lemon: You’ll use both the zest and juice to brighten things up.
- Honey: Make sure to choose high-quality honey; it really makes a difference.
Fun Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Here are some tasty variations you can try:
- Maple Syrup: Swap the honey for pure maple syrup for a different sweetness. Just make sure it’s not pancake syrup!
- Add Some Heat: For those who like a little kick, toss in a dash of chili powder or red pepper flakes.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: For a cozy, holiday-inspired flavor, sprinkle a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon on the sweet potatoes.
- Salt: If you have sea salt on hand, definitely use that for an extra flavor boost.
- Coconut Oil: If you’re looking to avoid butter, coconut oil is a great alternative.
So, gather your ingredients and give these Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes a try. They’re bound to become a new favorite at your dinner table!
How To Make Honey-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
For more detailed instructions, be sure to check the printable recipe card below! It will guide you through each step of making those delicious Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Happy cooking!
Quick Steps to Make Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F. While it’s heating up, line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Then, peel and dice your sweet potatoes and season them with a little salt.
- Mix: In a small pan, melt some unsalted butter. Once melted, add in the olive oil, lemon juice, and honey. Let it simmer for about a minute to blend the flavors together.
- Coat: Pour the honey-lemon butter mixture over the diced sweet potatoes and toss everything together until the sweet potatoes are well coated.
- Roast: Spread the coated sweet potatoes evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Roast them in the oven for about 25 minutes. Make sure to check on them and give them a stir if needed. If they aren’t quite done, feel free to add a few extra minutes until they’re perfectly golden and tender.
And that’s it! Enjoy your delicious Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes!
Recipe Success Tips
Absolutely! A great rule of thumb is that anything you can do with a regular potato, you can do with a sweet potato too. They’re just as versatile and fun to experiment with! You can whip up sweet potato fries or wedges for a tasty snack, make loaded sweet potato skins for a delicious appetizer, or even mash them up for a creamy side dish. The natural sweetness adds a unique twist to any recipe, making them a fantastic ingredient to work with. So whether you’re roasting, frying, or mashing, sweet potatoes are a delightful choice!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Store Sweet Potatoes
To keep your sweet potatoes fresh, store them in a dark, dry place. Avoid refrigerating them, as cold temperatures can negatively affect their flavor and texture.
How to Store Cut Sweet Potatoes Ahead of Time
If you want to prepare sweet potatoes in advance, you can peel and chop them up to 3 to 4 days ahead. Once chopped, place them in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid and store them in the refrigerator. This method helps maintain their freshness and makes it easy to grab them when you’re ready to cook!
Sweet Potatoes Vs. Yams
Let’s dive into that! While sweet potatoes and yams are often used interchangeably in conversation, they’re actually two distinct vegetables. Sweet potatoes have smooth skin and come in various colors, including orange and purple, while yams are starchy tubers with rough, scaly skin, typically found in African and Caribbean cuisine.
The confusion likely stems from historical labeling practices. When sweet potatoes were introduced to the U.S., especially the orange-fleshed varieties, they were often called “yams” to differentiate them from the paler sweet potatoes. This helped consumers distinguish between the two types, but it also led to a lot of mixed-up terminology that persists today. So, when you see “yams” in the grocery store, it’s often just sweet potatoes!
True Yams
- Yams can grow much larger than sweet potatoes.
- Their flesh can vary in color from off-white to purple.
- Yams are starchier than sweet potatoes.
- Always peel yams before cooking, as their skin can irritate the digestive system.
Sweet Potatoes
- They come in dark orange and pale yellow; some have purple flesh.
- Pale sweet potatoes have a thinner yellow skin and yellow flesh.
- They are pretty soft and similar to baked potatoes.
Nutritional Benefits Of Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Here’s a list of the perks of including sweet potatoes in your diet:
- High in Vitamin A: Promotes good vision, a stronger immune system, and better bone health.
- Rich in Vitamin C: Can lower bad cholesterol (LDL), strengthen your immune system, and lower blood pressure, among other benefits.
- High in Fiber: Helps you feel full longer, aiding in digestion and weight management.
More Popular Comfort Food Recipes
Here’s a list of delicious recipes to try:
- Old-Fashioned Potato Soup: A rich and creamy loaded potato soup that’s perfect for cozy nights.
- Shrimp Lo Mein: An easy 30-minute recipe that makes for a delicious one-pot dinner.
- Pizza Casserole: Your favorite pizza toppings transformed into a hearty casserole that everyone will love.
- Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan: The ultimate comfort food, perfect for a midweek meal.
- Bee Sting Cake: A simple version of one of Germany’s most popular cakes, sure to impress!
Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Here’s a simple overview of the roasted sweet potatoes recipe:
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Roasted Sweet Potatoes
This easy-to-make side dish is perfect if you’ve been wondering how to roast sweet potatoes!
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Feel free to pin, print, rate, or save this recipe for later! And don’t forget to prevent your phone from going dark while you cook. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
Here’s the ingredient list for the roasted sweet potatoes:
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- ¼ cup honey
Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These sweet and savory Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes are packed with flavor! With just a little bit of prep, you can whip up this ooey-gooey side dish in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- ¼ cup honey
With these ingredients, you’ll create a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth dish that everyone will love! Enjoy!
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set it aside for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large bowl and season with a pinch of salt.
You’re now ready for the next steps!
MAKING THE HONEY-LEMON BUTTER
- Make the Honey-Lemon Butter: In a small saucepan, add the melted butter and olive oil. Simmer over medium heat until the butter has completely melted. Then, stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for one minute.
- Coat the Sweet Potatoes: Pour the honey-lemon butter mixture over the sweet potatoes in the bowl. Toss everything together well to ensure that all the sweet potatoes are evenly coated in the delicious mixture.
- Now you’re all set for roasting!
ROASTING
- Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Transfer the coated sweet potatoes onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading them out evenly.
- Bake: Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, check for doneness—if they’re not quite tender or caramelized enough, feel free to add a few extra minutes until they reach your desired texture.
- Once they’re done, you’ll have perfectly roasted sweet potatoes ready to enjoy!
NOTES
Final Notes
- Roasting Time: Keep in mind that roasting time can vary between ovens. If the sweet potatoes haven’t caramelized to your liking after 25 minutes, feel free to let them roast for an additional few minutes. Personally, after getting a new oven in 2021, I find that it takes between 28-30 minutes to achieve those perfectly roasted sweet potatoes.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 349 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
- Sodium: 176 mg
- Potassium: 812 mg
- Fiber: 7 g
- Sugar: 27 g
- Vitamin A: 32,355 IU
- Vitamin C: 19.7 mg
- Calcium: 75 mg
- Iron: 1.6 mg
Enjoy your delicious Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes!
