Roasted Sweet Potato Halves
These Roasted Sweet Potato Halves are crisp and caramelized on the outside with soft, creamy centers! Roasting them cut side down at high heat enhances their natural sweetness and creates rich flavor with perfectly golden brown edges. This simple viral sweet potato recipe is an easy side dish that’s perfect for weeknights and meal prep!
I make baked sweet potatoes on a regular basis because they pair so well with everything. One night the ones I had were extra large, so I cut them in half lengthwise so that they would cook faster.
These Roasted Sweet Potato Halves were the result, and now this is the only way I want to make them. The skins get amazingly crisp, the inside is creamy, and the outside is so incredibly caramelized.
The caramelization is really what transforms these into something special. When the sweet potatoes roast cut side down against the hot pan, their natural sugars concentrate and begin to caramelize, creating deeper flavor and those golden brown edges.
The sweet potatoes are brushed with oil, seasoned with sea salt, and served with butter or your favorite toppings. This recipe is easy to customize with your favorite toppings and seasonings.
Be sure to try my rosemary parmesan roasted sweet potatoes or air fryer roasted sweet potatoes for a delicious change of pace!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Only 3 simple ingredients!
- Crisp, caramelized edges and creamy centers.
- They bake up in just 25-30 minutes.
- A viral sweet potato recipe that actually lives up to the hype.
- Perfect as a side dish or loaded with toppings.
Recipe ingredients
- Sweet potatoes. Use medium size for best results. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes such as Beauregard, Jewel, or Garnet become especially creamy and caramelized when roasted. Hannah sweet potatoes also work wonderfully.
- Avocado oil. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for roasting at high heat. I also love using avocado oil cooking spray. Sub with your favorite oil.
- Salt. Salt enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and balances the rich caramelized flavor. Consider finishing the sweet potatoes with flaky sea salt for a nice crunch.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make roasted sweet potato halves
These roasted sweet potatoe halves are an easy side dish that takes just minutes to prep! They can be prepared completely in advance and reheated for meal prep.
Pro tip: For the best caramelization, avoid moving the sweet potatoes while they roast. Direct contact with the hot pan is what creates those deeply golden edges.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
Why roasting cut side down matters
Roasting the sweet potatoes cut side down allows direct contact with the hot pan, which helps develop deep caramelization and enhances their natural sweetness. The trapped steam helps keep the centers soft and creamy.
Tips for success
- Don’t overcrowd the pan or the sweet potatoes may steam instead of caramelize.
- Place them cut side down for the best texture and browning.
- All oven temperatures vary, so check for doneness after 20 minutes.
- Let the sweet potatoes cool for 3–5 minutes before turning them over so the caramelized surface can set and release more easily from the pan.
- Parchment paper helps prevent sticking while still allowing caramelization.
- Larger sweet potatoes may require additional roasting time.
Optional toppings and variations
These sweet potato halves are delicious as-is, but you can customize them a variety of ways.
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Hot honey
- Tahini drizzle
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Almond butter
Serving suggestions
These caramelized sweet potatoes can be served up with sweet or savory toppings any time of day.
- They’re perfect for your next cookout with bbq grilled chicken or grilled tri tip roast.
- They pair perfectly with air fryer pork chops or air fryer chicken thighs.
- Top with poached eggs and air fryer roasted vegetables for an easy vegetarian meal.
- Serve them taco style with my ground beef taco meat, instant pot black beans and easy guacamole.
- Enjoy for breakfast with Greek yogurt and berries, or topped with almond butter, cinnamon and maple syrup.
More side dishes you’ll love:
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Roasted Sweet Potato Halves
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 sweet potatoes halved lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or other high smoke point oil
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the sweet potato halves on the baking sheet and brush both sides with oil, then season both sides with salt.3 sweet potatoes, 1 tablespoon avocado oil, sea salt
- Place cut side down and use a fork to prick holes all over the skins. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until very tender and caramelized. All ovens vary, so begin checking for doneness after 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the sweet potatoes cool for 3–5 minutes before flipping or serving. This helps the caramelized surface release more easily from the pan. Add more salt (or flaky sea salt) as needed, serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Cooking time will vary based on the size of your sweet potatoes. If using smaller sized, check for doneness after 20 minutes. If larger sized, they may take up to 30-35 minutes.
- Use any variety of sweet potatoes such as jewel, garnet, Japanese, or Hannah.
- Change things up with savory seasonings such as garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika or cinnamon!
- Store leftovers in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
