Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes are the perfect balance of sweet and just the right amount of heat. Crisp on the edges and tender in the center. They’re a bold twist on a classic side. Easy enough for weeknights, but flavorful enough to steal the show at any gathering.
Want some fun and delicious recipes that feature sweet potatoes? Try my Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe or my Crispy Sweet Potato Fries.
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Why this Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe is a Keeper
This roasted diced sweet potatoes dish is simple, satisfying and extremely customizable.
- Balances Flavors: It combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and maple syrup with savory seasonings (like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin and paprika) and a kick of spice (cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper or chili powder).
- Achieves Great Texture: Roasting at high heat (425°F) allows the potatoes to become tender on the inside with crispy, caramelized edges on the outside.
- Highly Adaptable: The spice blend and toppings can be easily customized (as seen in the suggestions below).
- Uses Simple Ingredients: It primarily uses pantry staples, such as olive oil and maples syrup, and fresh sweet potatoes.
- Meal Prep: perfectly roasted potatoes are delicious and are great for making ahead and reheating.
Can I Cut Cubed Sweet Potato Instead of Wedges?
Sure! Cubed potatoes may cook slightly faster, so you may want to check on them close to the end of roasting.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I love spicy food and spicy sweet potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes! Even the kids loved it!”
~ Sharina
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Ingredient Notes to Make Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these spicy roasted fries.
- Fresh Sweet Potatoes: The star of the dish. Their natural sweetness and creamy texture caramelize beautifully when roasted.
- Cayenne: Adds a subtle but noticeable kick that contrasts the sweetness of the potatoes and maple syrup. IF you like it hot double the spice.
- Real Maple Syrup: Brings deep, earthy sweetness that enhances the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Spicy Potatoes
It is easy to switch up this crispy sweet potato recipe to make it how you like it. Change up with avocado oil and spices or if you’re looking for something fresh by adding a little cilantro.
- Sweet Potatoes: Try butternut squash, carrots, or even parsnips for a similar texture and sweetness.
- Cayenne: Use smoked paprika for a milder, smoky heat or chili powder for a deeper spice blend. Try any savory spices you like.
- Maple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup work well; brown sugar adds a deeper molasses note.
- Pecans: Swap with walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds for crunch and nutty flavor
How to Make Roasted Spiced Sweet Potatoes
This Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes recipe comes together in just 5 quick and easy steps. This recipe is so good, it’s a great one to have on deck during the busy holiday season.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make Crunchy Topping: In a small saucepan, combine chopped pecans, cayenne, some salt some maple syrup, and pepper. Cook on medium high heat until bubbly. Spread on prepared baking sheet and sprinkle on lime zest.
- Toss the Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and chop into wedges. Add the potatoes to a large mixing bowl and toss the potatoes with more salt, olive oil and pepper. Spread onto the baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes.
- Make Maple Drizzle: In a small saucepan, mix butter, the rest of the syrup and salt. Heat over medium heat until foaming. When potatoes are done roasting, remove from oven and drizzle over the top.
- Finish Baking and Garnish: Bake again until dark golden brown, and garnish with pecans.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for the Sweet and Spicy Side Dish
Preparing steps in a recipe ahead of time can be the best way to go to be able to make it and enjoy it whenever.
- Wash and Cut: You can wash, peel (if desired), and cut the sweet potatoes into cubes or wedges up to a day ahead. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Mix Spices: Prepare the dry spice mixture and store it in a small, airtight container at room temperature.
- Prepare Pecans: You can make the candied pecans completely ahead of time and store them at room temperature.
Alternate Cooking Methods for these Delicious Potatoes
Savory sweet potatoes are an easy, tender and crisp side. Make this recipe another way by using your air fryer or stovetop.
- Air Fryer: For a faster cook time and extra-crispy edges, cook in an air fryer at 425°F for about 15 minutes or until soft, then add the glaze and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
- Skillet/Stovetop: After cutting, boil the potatoes for a few minutes until slightly tender, then transfer them to a skillet with oil and seasonings. Cook until they brown and are fully tender.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Store: Seasoned sweet potato leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: The best way to reheat is on a baking sheet in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the edges crisp up again. You can also use the microwave, but they may lose some crispness.
- Use Leftovers: Chop and mix this sweet potato side dish into a breakfast hash with eggs and other veggies.
- In Salads: Toss them cold or warm into a hearty winter salad with greens and a vinaigrette.
- In Grain Bowls: Use as the carbohydrate/vegetable base for a quick meal prep bowl with a protein and greens.
- Mashed: Mash roasted sweet potato cubes with a little butter or milk and your favorite seasoning for a quick side. Sweetness of the sweet potatoes make marshmallows a great topping.
- Serve With: Serve this recipe with Dutch Oven Roasted Chicken.
Questions and Reader Interactions for this Recipe
Why Are my Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes Soggy/Not Crispy?
You potatoes should be soft, not soggy. If they’re soggy you may have overcrowded the pan which lead to steaming, not roasting.
What Type of Sweet Potatoes are Best for Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes?
You can use whatever type of sweet potatoes you can get your hands on.
What is the Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?
Generally in the United States, yams and sweet potatoes refer to the same thing, even though they are different root vegetables.
Tips for Making Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Uniform Cuts: Ensure your sweet potato pieces are cut into an even size (around 1-inch) so they all finish cooking at the same time.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: This is the most crucial step for crispy roasting. Use a large sheet pan or divide the potatoes between two pans. If they touch, they will steam instead of roast.
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to help prevent sticking, especially with the maple glaze.
- Broil for Crunch: For extra crispy, golden-brown edges, place the potatoes under the broiler for the last 3 to 5 minutes after they are cooked through. Watch them closely, as they can burn quickly!
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Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes are deliciously sweet, spicy and crunchy. They’re the best sweet potato side for the holidays.
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Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds Fresh Sweet Potatoes
- 1 cup Chopped pecans
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne
- ½ cup Real maple syrup, divided
- 2 teaspoon Kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon Lime juice
- 3 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 Tablespoon Butter
- Fresh ground pepper, divided
- Lime zest, garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉.
- Stir chopped pecans, cayenne, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup maple syrup and several grinds of pepper in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat stirring occasionally until bubbly (about 3-5 minutes).
- Spread across a parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle with lime zest. Allow to cool.
- Peel sweet potatoes and chop them into thin wedges. If your sweet potatoes are small you can cut them into quarters and then eighths. If they are bigger they may need cut more.
- Toss cut sweet potatoes with onions, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Mix until evenly coated and spread on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown.
- While the sweet potatoes are baking in a small saucepan combine butter, ¼ cup maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon salt. Heat over medium heat until mixture begins foaming and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Drizzle maple mixture over baked potatoes and stir to coat, then drizzle lime juice across the top.
- Bake for another 8-10 minutes or until dark golden brown.
- Spread pecans evenly across the top of the roasted sweet potatoes and serve immediately.
Christina’s Notes
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- This Recipe Can be Doubled: A great recipe for to make for a dish recipe to bring along go family holiday dinner to get together. Just increase the ingredients proportionately and split between two baking sheets.
- Alternate cooking method tip: You could alternatively cook your seasoned roasted sweet potatoes in an air fryer for faster cook time, cook in air fryer at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until soft and then add the glaze and put back in the air fryer for another 5-7 minutes.
- Nut Allergy: You can omit the pecans in this recipe and it will still come out just as delicious!
- Add a little Extra Heat: To add more spice if you desire, top with crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder or cumin to add some warm spices such as cilantro or spice blend.
- Roasted Chicken: Try using with other proteins such as roasted chicken, cilantro lime chicken is wonderful to make this dish special.
- Reheat: The tender and crisp recipe for cubed sweet potatoes can be reheated in the microwave or stove. Top with a pop of color by adding some fresh herbs.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
Nutrition
Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 699mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 20275IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
Did You Make This Recipe?Let us know how it was!
This side dish is packed full of flavor. I tried it last weekend, and it was a hit, so I’m keeping this recipe. Highly recommended!
I love spicy food and spicy sweet potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes! Even the kids loved it!
Cayenne + maple syrup was so delicious! What a wonderful side. I’ll definitely make it again!
I love the spicy kick in this delicious sweet potato recipe. A perfectly balanced dish with great varity in texture.