Description
Crispy Smashed Sweet Potatoes are an irresistibly crunchy and flavorful side dish made by boiling, smashing, and baking tender sweet potatoes with aromatic spices and olive oil. This vegan and gluten-free recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy edges and soft interiors, ideal for a healthy, comforting meal accompaniment.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 pounds small or medium sweet potatoes (scrubbed)
Seasonings and Oil
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
- Flaky sea salt for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the sweet potatoes to a crispy finish.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole sweet potatoes and cook for 20–25 minutes, or until they are fork-tender, indicating they’re perfectly cooked inside.
- Drain and Cool: Drain the water from the pot and let the sweet potatoes cool slightly until they are safe to handle for smashing.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Lightly grease a large baking sheet to prevent sticking, then arrange the whole sweet potatoes on it evenly spaced.
- Smash Potatoes: Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, gently press down on each sweet potato until it is about ½-inch thick, creating a flattened shape for crisping.
- Season: Drizzle the smashed sweet potatoes with olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs if using for added flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping the potatoes once halfway through to achieve a golden, crispy crust on both sides.
- Optional Broil: For extra crispiness, broil the potatoes for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Serve: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving if desired, and enjoy alongside your favorite dips like sour cream, Greek yogurt, or a drizzle of hot honey.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the smashed potatoes for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking.
- Delicious served with sour cream, Greek yogurt, or a drizzle of hot honey.
- You can boil the potatoes ahead of time and roast them just before serving to save preparation time.
