If you haven’t yet experienced the joy of Smashed Sweet Potatoes, you’re in for a treat! This dish transforms simple sweet potatoes into a crispy, cheesy delight that’s sure to impress. Perfect for family dinners or as a crowd-pleasing side dish, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Edges: The high oven temperature ensures perfectly crispy edges while keeping the center soft and creamy.
- Savory Flavor: With Italian seasoning and garlic, these sweet potatoes pack a punch of flavor.
- Versatile Dish: Whether as a side or a main, Smashed Sweet Potatoes can be dressed up or kept simple.
- Simple Ingredients: With staples like butter, Parmesan, and spices, this recipe is both easy and economical.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This delightful recipe calls for simple ingredients that each play an essential role. From the freshness of sweet potatoes to the kick of spices, every component adds unique taste, texture, and color to your Smashed Sweet Potatoes.
- Olive oil: An essential for brushing the pans to prevent sticking while adding a nice subtle taste.
- Sweet potatoes: Choose thinner ones for easy cutting and handling, ensuring they cook evenly.
- Salt: Helps to enhance the sweet flavor of the potatoes, balancing out the dish.
- Melted butter: Infuses rich flavor and moisture, blending well with garlic and spices.
- Italian seasoning: Brings a fragrant herbal note, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Garlic: The grated cloves add a robust, aromatic intensity that’s irresistible.
- Black pepper & crushed red pepper: Adds a subtle heat that balances the sweetness wonderfully.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Melty, salty, and proudly Parmesan, this cheese crowns the dish beautifully.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make these Smashed Sweet Potatoes your own! It’s a highly adaptable dish that welcomes variations to suit your preferences, dietary needs, or simply what you have on hand.
- Herby Twist: Swap the Italian seasoning with fresh thyme or rosemary for a different herbal infusion.
- Cheesy Details: Experiment with different cheeses like feta or goat cheese to add a new flavor dimension.
- Spicy Version: Increase the amount of crushed red pepper for those who love extra spice.
How to Make Smashed Sweet Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans
Preheat your oven to 450˚F and brush two large rimmed baking sheets with olive oil. This step ensures that the sweet potatoes won’t stick, giving you those coveted crispy edges.
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
Place the sweet potato rounds in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a good pinch of salt. Bring this to a boil and cook them until they’re just tender. You’ll want them soft enough to smash but not falling apart.
Step 3: Smash and Season
Drain the potatoes, arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, and get ready to smash! Use the bottom of a cup to gently press down each slice. Then, coat them with a flavorful mix of melted butter, garlic, and seasonings.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Dust with grated Parmesan cheese and let them bake for about 30 minutes. These beauties should be golden, with crisp edges, and a little irresistible cheese on top. Rotate your pans halfway through to bake them evenly.
Pro Tips for Making Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- Perfect Smash: Use steady, even pressure when smashing your potatoes to avoid breaking them apart.
- Seasoning Variations: Don’t shy away from experimenting with different spices or herbs for a custom flavor profile.
- Cheese Alternatives: If you’re out of Parmesan, try using pecorino or asiago for a similar effect.
- Batch Cooking: Double the recipe and enjoy leftovers throughout the week, making meal prep a breeze.
How to Serve Smashed Sweet Potatoes
Garnishes
Finish your Smashed Sweet Potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. A light dusting of lemon zest can also add a zesty brightness.
Side Dishes
These potatoes pair beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or a hearty steak. Add a crisp green salad on the side, and you’ve got a balanced and delicious meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Smashed Sweet Potatoes on a large platter, alternating with slices of roasted beets for a colorful presentation. Drizzle some balsamic glaze for a gourmet finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors will develop even more, making the dish tastier!
Freezing
If you wish to freeze your Smashed Sweet Potatoes, allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to a month.
Reheating
Reheat your potatoes in the oven at 350˚F for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re heated through. This will help retain their crispiness without drying them out.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sweet potatoes offer a delightful sweetness and texture, Russet or red potatoes can work beautifully as well. Just adjust the cooking time if needed.
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How do I achieve the perfect crispy texture?
To ensure crispy edges, make sure your oven is fully preheated, and don’t overcrowd the baking sheets. This allows the hot air to circulate properly around each piece.
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Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute butter with dairy-free alternatives like olive oil or coconut oil, and replace Parmesan with a vegan cheese of your choice.
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What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
No worries! You can create your own blend using herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, depending on what you have in your pantry.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re inspired to try these Smashed Sweet Potatoes. They make a delightful addition to any meal and are as fun to make as they are to eat. Enjoy the process and get creative with your versions!
Print
Smashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Smashed Sweet Potatoes recipe offers a savory, slightly crispy side dish with a tender interior, seasoned with Italian herbs and topped with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, it combines roasting and smashing techniques to create a rustic, flavorful experience.
Ingredients
For the Potatoes
- 4 long sweet potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 1-inch-thick rounds
- 2 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
- Olive oil, as needed, for brushing
For the Seasoning and Topping
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Lightly brush two large rimmed baking sheets with a thin layer of olive oil and set aside.
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: In a large pot, add the sweet potato rounds and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Stir in 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain well and transfer the potatoes onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Prepare Seasoning Mixture: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, remaining salt, Italian seasoning, grated garlic, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Mix well.
- Toss and Smash Potatoes: Drizzle the seasoning mixture over the sweet potatoes. Using the bottom of a cup or glass, gently smash each piece to about ½ inch thickness to create a rustic, smashed shape.
- Bake the Potatoes: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the smashed sweet potatoes. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, rotating the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. These are best enjoyed warm with a crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior.
Notes
- Tip: To make smashing easier, ensure your sweet potatoes are not too thick and are fork tender after boiling.
- You can substitute Parmesan with other cheeses like Pecorino or Gruyère for variation.
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, increase the crushed red pepper or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
