Melting Sweet Potatoes - The Original Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Christina Lane · This post may contain affiliate links · 82 Comments

The first thing everyone reaches for on my Thanksgiving table is not the turkey or even that green bean side dish. My melting sweet potatoes are everyone's favorite side dish! The potatoes are delicately crisp on the outside and fluffy and velvet-like on the inside. You can serve them with maple pecan sauce, or plain--they're great either way!

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These oven roasted sweet potatoes are my favorite part of my small Thanksgiving for two menu.

The business of making a starch melt in your mouth is actually quite simple. The only technique required is roasting in the oven with butter. A long time ago, we stopped drizzling things with melted butter before roasting in the oven. Also a long time ago, oven fries died.

I'm not sure when oil became the only acceptable thing with which to roast, but its heyday has come and gone in my kitchen.

I love neutral oils as much as the next chick, but golden brown and crispy, it does not make my starches. Ergo, I'm back to the butter.

The Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes. We need two pounds of fresh sweet potatoes. You can double this recipe and use two roasting pans and 4 pounds of sweet potatoes. I reach for the orange variety, and please note that I have not tested this recipe with any other variety of sweet potato. If you do, let us all know in the comments.
  • Butter. Yes, we really need a half stick of butter. We're roasting in all butter today, which is key for the texture of these melting sweet potatoes.
  • Salt. A pinch of sea salt before roasting brings out the sweetness of the tubers.

Optional Maple Pecan Sauce Ingredients:

  • Maple Syrup. I commonly reach for grade B maple syrup because I love the smokiness, but anything you have is fine. However, please don't use pancake syrup with imitation maple flavor.
  • Pecans. Chopped pecans that have been toasted gently in a skillet or low oven until they smell very fragrant.
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How to Make Melting Sweet Potatoes:

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  1. First, peel and chop your sweet potatoes into 1" round disks. For Thanksgiving, I would use slightly less than one pound of sweet potatoes per person. As a side dish to a meal, I would plan on one pound per person.
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2. Spread the disks on a roasting pan, making sure they are not touching. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter per pound of sweet potatoes, and drizzle it on top.

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3. Toss the slices together with the butter.

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4. Spread them back out in an even layer, not touching. If you're making the wet pecan sauce, add a small sprinkle of salt. If not, add ¼ teaspoon of salt per pound.

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5. After roasting for 20 minutes at 425, flip each melting sweet potato disk over. They will be nice and golden brown on the first side. It will be hard to resist eating one, but just you wait--they're going to get even better.

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6. After 20 minutes roasting on the other side, they look like this. Which is glorious, in case you couldn't tell.

I kinda sorta forgot to take photos of the wet pecan sauce, but it's very simple.

  1. Gather your ¼ cup of chopped pecans and ¼ cup of maple syrup per pound of sweet potatoes.
  2. Bring the maple syrup to a boil in a small pan. Add the chopped pecans. Bring it back to a boil, then cook for 1 minute, and you're done!
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You can use all of the sauce for the melting sweet potatoes, but I think the recipe makes a bit much. (I didn't want you to be lacking on the big day).

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The pecans do get softer and softer the longer they sit in the maple syrup, so try to use it up in 2 days.

Drizzle it over the melting sweet potato disks, and serve with a smile.

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These melting sweet potatoes are so good that I made them 3 times in one week. The texture of the sweet potatoes indeed is like velvet. I love them on top of Buddha Bowls for lunch, and with fried eggs for breakfast. Yes, they are that good.

And we haven't even talked about the sauce. I made a wet pecan sauce to top them for your Thanksgiving festivities. It's entirely optional, but when you see that it only has 2 ingredients and comes together in 7 minutes, you won't be one to opt out.

Yield: 4 servings

A small Thanksgiving: Melting Sweet Potatoes (with Maple-Pecan Sauce)

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These melting sweet potatoes topped with pecans and maple syrup are a delicious side dish everyone will love.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time40 minutes

Total Time50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of sweet potatoes
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the maple pecan sauce:

  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425. Have ready a roasting pan.
  2. Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into 1" thick slices, and scatter them on the roasting pan, not touching.
  3. Melt the butter, and drizzle it on top of the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle on the salt. Toss to coat, and then redistribute on the pan in a single layer, not touching.
  4. Roast for 20 minutes.
  5. Flip with tongs, and roast for another 20 minutes.
  6. The potatoes are done when they're golden brown and crisp, and the insides are light and fluffy.
  7. To make the maple pecan sauce: bring the maple syrup to a boil in a small sauce pan.
  8. Add the pecans.
  9. Wait for the sauce to come back to a boil, cook for 1 minute, and then remove from heat.
  10. Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 505Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 352mgCarbohydrates: 76gFiber: 9gSugar: 40gProtein: 6g

Did you make this recipe?

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Melting Sweet Potatoes - The Original Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should you peel sweet potatoes before boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

Which side of sweet potato goes in water? ›

The sweet potato produces vine-like stems that resemble the philodendron plant. Place the sweet potato in a container of water. Keep the top 1/3 of the potato exposed by placing toothpicks into the sides. The pointed end should be down in the water.

What is the sticky liquid from sweet potato? ›

The ooze is actually referred to as "sap." It is made up of sugar and starch combined with the moisture found in the vegetable, and it escapes out of the damage made from the knife. The sap really equals the sweetness. If it's pouring out of your potato, that means it's a sweet and delicious vegetable.

Do you add salt to water when boiling sweet potatoes? ›

Step 2: Boil the Sweet Potatoes

Add enough cold water to cover potatoes and sprinkle with salt. Bring to boiling, cover, and cook until tender. How long can you boil sweet potatoes: For one pound of sweet potatoes, cover the pan and cook sweet potatoes in the boiling salted water 20 to 25 minutes or until just tender.

How long should I boil my sweet potatoes? ›

Boil sweet potatoes until they are cooked through. Boil large whole sweet potatoes for 40-50 minutes. Boil small to medium whole sweet potatoes for 30-40 minutes. Boil 1-inch cubes for 12-15 minutes.

Should I put sweet potatoes in water before cooking? ›

I soak my sweet potatoes overnight before before oven roasting. Wrap each in foil, place on the oven rack, bake at 350° an hour. Let rest in the foil if time allows. You'll have soft, creamy, steaming insides.

How long can sweet potatoes sit in water? ›

Whole, raw sweet potatoes should not be refrigerated, as it can affect their taste and make them hard in the center. Do refrigerate after they've been cut, though. Covered in cold water, they last about a day.

Why put sweet potatoes in cold water? ›

Always start with cold water. This helps the sweet potatoes cook from the inside out without overcooking the outer layers. Simmer, not boil.

What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potato? ›

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

What pairs well with sweet potatoes? ›

Most people pair poultry and sweet potatoes. A roast turkey or chicken flavored with rosemary, thyme and sage pairs well with baked sweet potatoes and their caramelized crust. I like steak and sweet potatoes myself. Get a container of cream cheese, some chopped pineapple and roasted some sweet potatoes.

Why not to boil sweet potatoes? ›

Despite their sweet taste, these potatoes have an intermediate glycemic index (GI) level, meaning they are digested and absorbed fairly slowly, leading to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels. But, a lot of these benefits, including nutrients and taste, can be lost by boiling sweet potatoes.

What is the black stuff that comes out of sweet potatoes? ›

Black rot of sweetpotato is caused by the ascomycete fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata.

What are the white circles inside sweet potatoes? ›

All it is is just a mixture of the natural sugar. starches in water that comes out like sap. when the cell walls of the plant are damaged and cut. This is actually indication of a really fresh potato, so it may taste even sweeter and better.

Is it better to leave the skin on sweet potatoes? ›

The fiber content of sweet potatoes mainly comes from the peel. Therefore, removing it will decrease your fiber intake. Research has shown that the nutrients in vegetables and fruits tend to be concentrated around the peel. Thus, removing the peel can reduce your intake of nutrients and antioxidants ( 2 , 3).

Should sweet potato be peeled or unpeeled? ›

Yes, you can eat sweet potato skin, whether it's an orange, white or purple sweet potato. So the next time you make sweet potatoes, try keeping the skin on. Not only will it save you prep time and add a textural component to the dish, but there are also nutritional benefits to leaving the peel on.

Should you peel sweet potatoes? ›

The Bottom Line. You can eat sweet potato skin. It's a good source of fiber, a nutrient that may help lower the risk of heart disease and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time. The next time you make a sweet potato dish, whether it's a roasted side dish or a hearty, cozy casserole, leave the peel on.

Do you peel sweet potato before or after? ›

Nope, sweet potato skin is tender and can add amazing texture, especially to roasted sweet potato cubes. If you do plan on peeling, be sure to do it before slicing or dicing; your job will be much easier.

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