Smashed Sweet Potatoes

No, these are not mashed sweet potatoes, these are smashed sweet potatoes. Rather than a soft and creamy side dish, this recipe yields a roasted treat of a sweet potato with a crisp, well-baked top and a warm, delightful interior in every bite. The flavor profile is rich and savory, and just perfect when paired with so many of your other favorite dishes.

While crispy smashed sweet potatoes might seem a bit fancier than your average side, this is an easy recipe to follow, and one you will surely return to again and again.

Ingredients for Smashed Sweet Potatoes

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• Sweet potatoes: You can’t follow a smashed sweet potatoes recipe without some sweet potatoes, specifically 4 medium sweet potatoes cut into 1-inch thick rounds.
• Olive oil: Be generous with the olive oil; it’s both a part of the baking process and a flavoring agent.
• Parmesan cheese: Always use freshly-grated Parmesan cheese when possible, though dry is better than nothing.
• Butter: This recipe uses quite a bit of butter, which is why it’s quite delicious. Make sure it’s fully melted before you use it.
• Garlic: For the garlic cloves, you can freshly mince them yourself, or you can use four thawed frozen garlic cubes.
• Parsley: Mince the fresh parsley while the sweet potatoes are in the oven, as it’s the last ingredient you’ll use.

Directions

Step 1: Boil the sweet potatoes

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and add water to cover them. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook the sweet potatoes, uncovered, until they’re tender, which will take 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.

Step 2: Smash and coat the sweet potatoes

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Drizzle the oil over a baking sheet and arrange the cooked potatoes over the oil. Using the flat bottom of a measuring cup, flatten the sweet potato chunks down to 1/2-inch thickness. Next, in a small bowl, combine the Parmesan, butter, garlic, salt and pepper and spread this mixture over the smashed sweet potatoes.

Step 3: Roast the sweet potatoes

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Bake the sweet potatoes until they’re deeply golden brown, which will take 25 to 30 minutes. Finally, sprinkle over the parsley and serve.

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Smashed Sweet Potato Variations

• Use vegan butter: Swap out the dairy butter for a vegan alternative and the sweet potatoes will come out wonderfully.
• Add some spice: Sprinkling cayenne pepper over the sweet potatoes before you bake them infuses some heat and accentuates the other flavors.
• Mix in some onion: Chopped onion, sprinkled over the top of the sweet potatoes prior to the baking, introduces a welcome flavor boost to the mix.

How to Store Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Store these cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container or bag for up to five days in the fridge. Reheat them back in the oven, in a pan with a splash of broth, or in the microwave.

Can you freeze cooked sweet potatoes?

Yes, you can freeze cooked sweet potatoes in airtight packaging for up to six months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating them.

Smashed Sweet Potato Tips

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Why are my smashed sweet potatoes drying out?

Make sure you don’t slice the potatoes too thinly before the boil; they have to have enough substance to hold moisture while they bake.

Is this a healthy dish?

Yes, despite the fact that the butter does add some fat, overall these sweet potatoes are quite healthy. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals, and are relatively low in calories.

What should I serve with these sweet potatoes?

All your Thanksgiving favorites like roast turkey, cooked kale, hearty bread and sliced ham will go wonderfully with these sweet and savory sweet potatoes.