How to Cook Sweet Potatoes (Everything you need to know!)
Sweet potatoes don’t always get to be recognition they deserve! They are so versatile and can be used for so much more than sweet potato casserole. So, today we are going to look at different ways to cook them and how to season them!
How many different ways can you cook a sweet potato?
The short answer is a ton of ways. Let’s take a look at the major ones.
1. Baking
Whole sweet potatoes can be baked in the oven at 400°F for about 45-60 minutes. Baking brings out their natural sweetness and creates a soft, fluffy texture.
2. Roasting
Chop sweet potatoes into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and spices, and roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes. Roasting gives them a caramelized exterior and a tender interior.
3. Boiling
Great for mashing, boiling sweet potatoes (about 20-30 minutes) makes them soft and easy to blend with butter, cream, or seasonings.
4. Steaming
This method retains the most nutrients. Cut into chunks and steam for 20-30 minutes. Perfect for adding to salads or blending into soups.
5. Grilling
Slice sweet potatoes lengthwise into slabs, toss with oil and spices, and grill for 5-7 minutes on each side. It adds a smoky flavor and unique char marks.
6. Sautéing
Cut into cubes or thin slices and sauté in a pan with oil for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. This method works well for quicker, crispy sweet potatoes.
7. Air Frying
Toss cubed or sliced sweet potatoes with oil and spices, and air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. They become crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, similar to roasted sweet potatoes.
8. Microwaving
If you’re short on time, microwave a whole sweet potato for 5-8 minutes. Just pierce it with a fork first and rotate halfway through. It’s a quick way to soften it up.
9. Mashing
After boiling or steaming, sweet potatoes can be mashed and mixed with butter, cream, or seasonings. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds a cozy flavor.
10. Pureeing
Boiled or steamed sweet potatoes can be pureed to create a smooth, creamy texture perfect for soups, sauces, or baked goods.
11. Dehydrating
Thinly slice and dehydrate for homemade sweet potato chips or snacks. This method retains nutrients and creates a crispy texture.
12. Deep-Frying
For sweet potato fries or chips, slice thinly, and deep fry at 350°F for a few minutes until golden. They turn out crispy and delicious!
How do you Season Sweet Potatoes?
There are three main categories of seasoning sweet potatoes. That is using sweet ingredients, savory ingredients, and spice blends!
1. Sweet Seasonings
Cinnamon
Cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and adds a warm, comforting flavor, making it a perfect choice for both sweet and savory dishes.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg brings a subtle, nutty warmth that complements the sweetness of sweet potatoes, especially in mashed or baked preparations.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that balances the earthy flavor of sweet potatoes, making it ideal for glazing or drizzling.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar offers a deep molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes beautifully when baked or roasted with sweet potatoes, adding a touch of indulgence.
Ginger
Ginger provides a zesty and slightly spicy flavor that cuts through the sweetness of sweet potatoes, creating a well-rounded and vibrant taste.
Allspice or Cloves
Allspice or cloves add a warm, aromatic depth to sweet potatoes, giving them a festive and slightly spicy flavor perfect for fall or holiday dishes.
2. Savory Seasonings
Paprika
Paprika adds a mild, smoky flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes while providing a subtle depth to roasted or grilled dishes.
Cumin
Cumin brings an earthy, slightly nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of sweet potatoes, making it a great addition to savory dishes like roasted cubes or soups.
Chili Powder
Chili powder adds a hint of heat and smokiness, creating a bold contrast to the sweet, earthy flavor of sweet potatoes, perfect for spicing up fries or hash.
Garlic
Garlic adds a savory, umami-rich flavor that balances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, making it a versatile seasoning for roasting, sautéing, or mashing.
Rosemary & Thyme
Rosemary and thyme provide a fresh, herbaceous flavor that pairs beautifully with the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes, especially in roasted or grilled recipes.
Curry Powder
Curry powder infuses sweet potatoes with a warm, aromatic blend of spices, creating a bold and flavorful dish perfect for soups, stews, or roasted sides.
3. Spice Blends
Taco Seasoning
Taco seasoning adds a bold, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor that balances the sweetness of sweet potatoes, making it perfect for roasted wedges, fries, or sweet potato taco fillings.
Za’atar
Za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend, offers a tangy, herbal flavor with hints of sesame and sumac, elevating the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes in roasted or grilled dishes.
Herb & Garlic Blend
A mix of garlic, rosemary, and thyme brings a fresh, savory depth to sweet potatoes, enhancing their natural flavor in roasted or sautéed preparations.
Cajun Blend
Cajun seasoning adds a spicy, smoky kick with paprika, cayenne, and garlic, creating a bold contrast to the sweetness of sweet potatoes in fries or hash.
Lemon Pepper
Lemon pepper delivers a bright, zesty flavor that complements the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes, adding a refreshing twist to roasted or grilled dishes.
Italian Blend
Italian seasoning, with its mix of oregano, basil, and thyme, adds a savory, herbal flavor that works beautifully with sweet potatoes in roasted, baked, or mashed dishes.
Different Ways to Cook a Sweet Potato
Hopefully this guide of different ways to cook sweet potatoes as well as all the seasoning suggestions has inspired you to give sweet potatoes a chance!
Fall and winter months usually see sweet potatoes at great prices, so they can easily be made part of so many dinner options on a low budget!
