Steamrolled Sweet Potatoes

Step away from the bag of marshmallows—there’s a new sweet potato side dish in town! Our 20-minute recipe features steamed sweet potatoes that are smashed flat until they look as if they were hit by a steamroller. Next, they’re roasted, yielding sweet potatoes with a perfectly crispy exterior and a soft interior. Then, each half is topped with fresh herbs and Gruyere cheese before taking a quick stint under the broiler to get even crispier. A drizzle of hot honey takes this delicious sweet potato side dish over the top.

Steamrolled Sweet Potato Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes: Look for medium-sized sweet potatoes that have smooth, unblemished skin. If you can find only large sweet potatoes, cut them into quarters after steaming.
• Butter and olive oil: Unsalted butter is melted and combined with an equal amount of olive oil to roast the sweet potatoes.
• Salt and pepper: The sweet potatoes are seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
• Fresh herbs: Finely minced fresh rosemary and sage complement the sweet flavor of the potatoes.
• Gruyere: Gruyere is a Swiss cheese made from cow’s milk known for its nutty, creamy flavor. Gruyere AOP or Gruyere AOP Reserve would both work well in this recipe. Gruyere AOP, aged for six to nine months, has a softer flavor, while Gruyere AOP Reserve, aged for more than 10 months, has a more intense full-bodied flavor. Use leftover cheese to make another flavorful Gruyere recipe.
• Hot honey: A drizzle of hot honey, whether it’s store-bought or homemade, adds sweetness and a little heat to each bite of these sweet and savory sweet potatoes.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the sweet potatoes

Poke several holes in each sweet potato. Place on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for four to six minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. Flip the sweet potatoes halfway through.

Editor’s Tip: Scrub the sweet potatoes clean before pricking them with a fork.

Cut each sweet potato in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Use the back of a fork or spatula to gently smash each sweet potato half until it’s about 1/2-inch thick. Season the flesh side of each sweet potato with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Roast the potatoes

Add the butter and olive oil to a medium cast-iron skillet and heat over medium-high. Once the butter has melted, add the sweet potatoes flesh side down. Cook without disturbing for four minutes.

While the potatoes cook, brush the skin sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Flip each sweet potato over and roast for an additional three minutes.

Top each sweet potato half with minced sage and rosemary, then the grated Gruyere.

Editor’s Tip: Each sweet potato half will do with 1 teaspoon each of the sage and rosemary, and 1 tablespoon of the grated cheese.

Step 3: Broil the potatoes

Transfer the cast-iron skillet to the oven and broil until the edges of the potatoes are crispy and the cheese is bubbly, two to three minutes.

Step 4: Serve

Drizzle each sweet potato half with hot honey and serve.

Steamrolled Sweet Potato Variations

• Roast in the oven: You can also make these steamrolled sweet potatoes fully in the oven. After flattening the sweet potato halves, brush both sides with olive oil, then season both sides with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned. Remove from the oven, and top with the fresh herbs and Gruyere cheese. Place under the broiler and cook until the cheese is melted and the edges of the sweet potatoes are crispy.
• Play with the seasonings: You can easily modify the flavor profile of these sweet potatoes. Other herbs and seasonings that would work well include Italian seasoning, herbes de Provence, thyme, oregano, chives, paprika, cinnamon or crushed red pepper flakes. You could also replace the Gruyere with another cheese, such as Parmesan, Romano or Emmental.
• Add a little crunch: For added texture, top each sweet potato half with chopped pecans. Or, for an extra kick of savory flavor, top each sweet potato half with crumbled cooked bacon.

How to Store Steamrolled Sweet Potatoes

After allowing the sweet potatoes to cook completely, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

How long do steamrolled sweet potatoes last?

When stored properly in the fridge, steamrolled sweet potatoes last for up to five days.

How should you reheat steamrolled sweet potatoes?

You can reheat steamrolled sweet potatoes in the oven, air fryer or microwave. To reheat in the oven, transfer to a baking sheet and cook for 15 to 20 minutes in a 350° oven. Or, place in the air fryer and reheat at 350° for three to five minutes.

The simplest way to reheat steamrolled sweet potatoes is in the microwave, although the texture won’t be as crisp as the oven or air-fryer methods. Simply transfer to a microwave-safe container, cover and cook in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

Steamrolled Sweet Potato Tips

Do you need to peel sweet potatoes for this recipe?

Nope! In fact, leaving the peels on helps keep the sweet potato halves intact after “steamrolling” them. Sweet potato skins are packed with vitamins and fiber, so keeping the skins on gives this tasty sweet potato side dish an additional punch of nutrition.

What else can you serve with steamrolled sweet potatoes?

While these steamrolled sweet potatoes would make a delicious side dish to serve alongside traditional Thanksgiving recipes, they aren’t just for enjoying at the holidays. You can serve steamrolled sweet potatoes year-round alongside family favorites such as roast chicken and pork chops or as a flavor-packed alternative to traditional baked potatoes served alongside a perfectly cooked steak.