Melting Sweet Potatoes - The Original Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Christina Lane · This post may contain affiliate links · 82 Comments

The first thing everyone reaches for on my Thanksgiving table is not the turkey or even that green bean side dish. My melting sweet potatoes are everyone's favorite side dish! The potatoes are delicately crisp on the outside and fluffy and velvet-like on the inside. You can serve them with maple pecan sauce, or plain--they're great either way!

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These oven roasted sweet potatoes are my favorite part of my small Thanksgiving for two menu.

The business of making a starch melt in your mouth is actually quite simple. The only technique required is roasting in the oven with butter. A long time ago, we stopped drizzling things with melted butter before roasting in the oven. Also a long time ago, oven fries died.

I'm not sure when oil became the only acceptable thing with which to roast, but its heyday has come and gone in my kitchen.

I love neutral oils as much as the next chick, but golden brown and crispy, it does not make my starches. Ergo, I'm back to the butter.

The Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes. We need two pounds of fresh sweet potatoes. You can double this recipe and use two roasting pans and 4 pounds of sweet potatoes. I reach for the orange variety, and please note that I have not tested this recipe with any other variety of sweet potato. If you do, let us all know in the comments.
  • Butter. Yes, we really need a half stick of butter. We're roasting in all butter today, which is key for the texture of these melting sweet potatoes.
  • Salt. A pinch of sea salt before roasting brings out the sweetness of the tubers.

Optional Maple Pecan Sauce Ingredients:

  • Maple Syrup. I commonly reach for grade B maple syrup because I love the smokiness, but anything you have is fine. However, please don't use pancake syrup with imitation maple flavor.
  • Pecans. Chopped pecans that have been toasted gently in a skillet or low oven until they smell very fragrant.
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How to Make Melting Sweet Potatoes:

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  1. First, peel and chop your sweet potatoes into 1" round disks. For Thanksgiving, I would use slightly less than one pound of sweet potatoes per person. As a side dish to a meal, I would plan on one pound per person.
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2. Spread the disks on a roasting pan, making sure they are not touching. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter per pound of sweet potatoes, and drizzle it on top.

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3. Toss the slices together with the butter.

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4. Spread them back out in an even layer, not touching. If you're making the wet pecan sauce, add a small sprinkle of salt. If not, add ¼ teaspoon of salt per pound.

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5. After roasting for 20 minutes at 425, flip each melting sweet potato disk over. They will be nice and golden brown on the first side. It will be hard to resist eating one, but just you wait--they're going to get even better.

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6. After 20 minutes roasting on the other side, they look like this. Which is glorious, in case you couldn't tell.

I kinda sorta forgot to take photos of the wet pecan sauce, but it's very simple.

  1. Gather your ¼ cup of chopped pecans and ¼ cup of maple syrup per pound of sweet potatoes.
  2. Bring the maple syrup to a boil in a small pan. Add the chopped pecans. Bring it back to a boil, then cook for 1 minute, and you're done!
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You can use all of the sauce for the melting sweet potatoes, but I think the recipe makes a bit much. (I didn't want you to be lacking on the big day).

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The pecans do get softer and softer the longer they sit in the maple syrup, so try to use it up in 2 days.

Drizzle it over the melting sweet potato disks, and serve with a smile.

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These melting sweet potatoes are so good that I made them 3 times in one week. The texture of the sweet potatoes indeed is like velvet. I love them on top of Buddha Bowls for lunch, and with fried eggs for breakfast. Yes, they are that good.

And we haven't even talked about the sauce. I made a wet pecan sauce to top them for your Thanksgiving festivities. It's entirely optional, but when you see that it only has 2 ingredients and comes together in 7 minutes, you won't be one to opt out.

Yield: 4 servings

A small Thanksgiving: Melting Sweet Potatoes (with Maple-Pecan Sauce)

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These melting sweet potatoes topped with pecans and maple syrup are a delicious side dish everyone will love.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time40 minutes

Total Time50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of sweet potatoes
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the maple pecan sauce:

  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425. Have ready a roasting pan.
  2. Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into 1" thick slices, and scatter them on the roasting pan, not touching.
  3. Melt the butter, and drizzle it on top of the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle on the salt. Toss to coat, and then redistribute on the pan in a single layer, not touching.
  4. Roast for 20 minutes.
  5. Flip with tongs, and roast for another 20 minutes.
  6. The potatoes are done when they're golden brown and crisp, and the insides are light and fluffy.
  7. To make the maple pecan sauce: bring the maple syrup to a boil in a small sauce pan.
  8. Add the pecans.
  9. Wait for the sauce to come back to a boil, cook for 1 minute, and then remove from heat.
  10. Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 505Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 352mgCarbohydrates: 76gFiber: 9gSugar: 40gProtein: 6g

Did you make this recipe?

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Melting Sweet Potatoes - The Original Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

What does baking soda do to sweet potatoes? ›

The baking soda breaks down the potato's surface, creating a rough texture that enhances crispiness upon roasting. Then, before roasting, the par-boiled potatoes are tossed with olive oil, seasoning, and potato starch. The potato starch serves as a coating that crisps up beautifully as the potatoes roast.

Why not to boil sweet potatoes? ›

Bake, don't boil

Yes, some recipes call for boiling them, like for a sweet potato casserole, but trust us, baking will ensure superior flavor. Baking sweet potatoes caramelizes their natural sugars, especially when done whole.

When not to eat a sweet potato? ›

How to tell if sweet potatoes have gone bad. If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes? ›

Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming. If we compare baking to boiling microscopically, boiling helps thin out the cell walls and gelatinize the starch, which may enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.

How long should you boil sweet potatoes? ›

Place the potatoes with cold water in a large pot. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking the sweet potatoes until fork tender: 40 minutes for whole, 25 minutes for 2-inch cubes and 15 minutes for 1-inch cubes.

Can you overcook sweet potatoes? ›

If you're boiling, make sure to cut your sweet potatoes into equally sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. (Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.)

What happens to your body when you eat sweet potatoes everyday? ›

The Bottom Line

Sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber to support your eye, digestive and heart health. They're generally safe to eat daily, especially if you eat them with calcium to prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones. There are so many fun and tasty ways to eat sweet potatoes.

What is the difference between sweet potatoes and yams? ›

True yams are part of an entirely different genus (Dioscorea; sweet potatoes belong to Ipomoea in the morning glory family) and are more akin to yuca in texture and flavor. Yams are commonly used in Caribbean and West African cooking and can grow as long and thick as an adult arm.

What are the side effects of eating too much sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and their excessive consumption can lead to hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), in which excess vitamin A accumulates in the liver. Although it is not considered harmful, the color of the skin and nails may turn orange. Additionally, sweet potatoes are rich in carbohydrates.

What happens if you don't wash sweet potatoes? ›

It's very important to wash potatoes before cooking with them because they're root vegetables. Since they grow underground, potatoes likely carry residual soil, bacteria, and pesticides when you buy them.

Do you need to soak sweet potatoes to remove starch? ›

To remove excess starch, place cut sweet potatoes into cold water making sure the cut surfaces are submerged. This step is especially recommended for "kinton" (Japanese-style mashed sweet potato) and other lightly seasoned dishes where a delectable color is desired. Soaking time of about 5 minutes is sufficient.

Why won't my sweet potato chips get crispy? ›

Know that chips that are too thick in parts won't crisp up all the way. Still delicious, just not "chip" crispiness. Toss slices in a touch of olive oil to lightly coat, then sprinkle with salt.

Should you rinse sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

Thoroughly wash and dry sweet potatoes. Use a knife to make about eight crosswise slashes up and down each potato. Rub potato skins with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

References

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