How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven

Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.

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updated Sep 6, 2022

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How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

In the hierarchy of all the ways to cook a sweet potato, perfectly roasted chunks will forever sit at the top of my list. I’m not talking about a quick flash in a screaming-hot oven when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table. I’m talking about those substantially sized cubes with well-browned, caramelized edges that crackle when you bite through the crisp surface and into the creamy center. The kind so impossibly irresistible you can’t help but risk burning your fingertips and tongue to pop a few into your mouth the second the baking sheet comes out of the oven.

Whether you prefer plain roasted sweet potatoes with just a sprinkling of salt or like to give them an extra sweet or savory twist, they’re easy to make once you know the few key steps to success. Here’s how to do it.

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Roasted Sweet Potatoes

4 Key Steps to the Best Roasted Sweet Potatoes

1. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. One-inch cubes are the ideal size when cutting up the peeled potatoes. These bite-sized chunks aren’t too big or too small and work just as well for a side dish as they do as an addition to salads, tacos, grain bowls, and wraps. Also remember that cutting evenly sized pieces ensures they all take the same time to cook.

2. Roast at 400°F. Temperature is an important factor in getting roasted sweet potatoes just right. This temperature is hot enough to deliver the tender, creamy centers and the charred, caramelized surface you expect from sweet potatoes. Setting the dial at 400°F, rather than 425°F or 450°F, means a slightly longer cook time, which helps coax out even more of this spud’s natural sweetness.

3. Use plenty of oil. Don’t be afraid to use plenty of fat when roasting sweet potatoes. A generous slick of olive oil helps give the potatoes those caramelized, crispy edges that makes them so irresistible.

4. Use your hands to coat the potatoes evenly. You’re going to want to make sure all the sweet potato cubes are well-coated with oil, and the best way to get the job done is with your hands. I know it’s a bit messier than using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, but those tools simply don’t work as well.

How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Roast Your Sweet Potatoes Just the Way You Like Them

Roasted sweet potatoes are pretty darn delicious with a simple sprinkling of salt, but should you want something more, these spuds are super versatile and take well to extra flavorings.

Toss the cubes with a shower of ground cinnamon before they go into the oven, then add a generous drizzle of honey about halfway through cooking, and you’ll find yourself with a sticky-sweet batch of vegetables that taste like candy. While this sweet twist makes a great side dish, try them also as a grain bowl topper, add them to yogurt and oatmeal, or mash them and layer onto a slice of ricotta toast.

If savory is more your speed, the warm, smoky aromas of ground cumin and chili powder are a perfect partner to sweet potatoes. The spiced flavors balance the vegetable’s natural sweetness and add a gentle kick. Giving your roasted potatoes a boost of savory flavor is as simple as tossing the potatoes with a spoonful of these spices before they go into the oven.

  • How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven
  • How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven
  • How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven
  • How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven
  • How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven
  • How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven
  • How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

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9 Ratings

How To Make the Best Roasted Sweet Potatoes

How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven

Print Recipe

YieldServes 4 to 6

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 30 minutes to 35 minutes

Show Nutrition

  • alcohol-free
  • egg-free
  • paleo
  • dairy-free
  • fish-free
  • peanut-free
  • vegetarian
  • shellfish-free
  • pork-free
  • pescatarian
  • gluten-free
  • tree-nut-free
  • high-fiber
  • soy-free
  • wheat-free
  • red-meat-free

Per serving, based on 6 servings. (% daily value)

  • Calories 197
  • Fat 4.8 g (7.4%)
  • Saturated 0.7 g (3.4%)
  • Carbs 37.4 g (12.5%)
  • Fiber 5.2 g (21.0%)
  • Sugars 12.1 g
  • Protein 2.6 g (5.2%)
  • Sodium 254.5 mg (10.6%)
How to cook diced sweet potatoes in oven

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds

    sweet potatoes (3 medium or 2 large)

  • 2 tablespoons

    olive oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    kosher salt

Savory variation (optional):

  • 2 teaspoons

    ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon

    chili powder

Sweet variation (optional):

  • 2 teaspoons

    ground cinnamon

  • 2 tablespoons

    honey

Equipment

  • Cutting board

  • Vegetable peeler

  • Chef's knife

  • Rimmed baking sheet

  • Measuring spoons

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Meanwhile, cut the sweet potatoes.

  2. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes.

  3. Toss the potatoes with oil. Place the sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt. If using, add the cumin and chili powder or cinnamon and toss to coat. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer.

  4. Roast the potatoes. Roast for 15 minutes. Use a thin spatula flip the potatoes, and if using, add the honey and toss to coat. Roast until the potatoes are tender and browned all over, 15 to 20 minutes more.

    How long does it take for a sweet potato to bake at 400 degrees?

    Preheat your oven to 400°F. Give your sweet potatoes a good wash and scrub. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and poke 4 to 5 holes in each sweet potato with a fork or sharp knife. Bake in the oven for approximately 60 minutes, or until soft.

    What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes?

    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 temp should a sweet potato be cooked to?

    If you'd like a more precise indicator, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the sweet potato. The internal temperature of a cooked sweet potato should read between 205- and 212-degrees Fahrenheit.

    Is it better to roast or boil sweet potatoes?

    Baking can also cause an 80% drop in vitamin A levels, twice as much as boiling. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato.