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Looking for an easy side dish that goes with practically everything? If you’re tired of the same old roasted vegetables, these roasted sweet potato cubes are about to become your new favorite. They’re the perfect solution for busy weeknight dinners when you need something quick and nutritious on the table, and they work just as well for meal prep or holiday gatherings.
The best part? All you need are sweet potatoes, a few basic seasonings, and about 30 minutes in the oven. Trust me – these crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside cubes will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love These Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Simple ingredients – You only need sweet potatoes and common pantry spices to make this dish – no fancy or hard-to-find ingredients required.
- Perfect balance of flavors – The combination of savory spices with a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon creates that ideal sweet-and-spicy mix that makes sweet potatoes so crave-worthy.
- Healthy side dish – Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and fiber, making this a nutritious addition to any meal.
- Minimal hands-on time – Just cut, season, and pop in the oven – most of the cooking time is completely hands-off, giving you time to prepare the rest of your meal.
- Meal prep friendly – These roasted cubes stay good in the fridge for several days and can be easily reheated, perfect for weekly meal planning.
What Type of Sweet Potatoes Should I Use?
For roasting, you’ll want to look for sweet potatoes with orange flesh – these are sometimes labeled as “yams” in U.S. grocery stores, but they’re actually sweet potatoes.
The Jewel and Beauregard varieties are great choices since they get nice and tender inside while crisping up on the outside when roasted. When shopping, pick sweet potatoes that feel heavy for their size and have smooth, firm skin without any soft spots or sprouts.
I recommend choosing ones that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly when cubed. If you can’t find orange sweet potatoes, white or purple varieties will also work in this recipe, though they tend to be a bit drier and less sweet.
Options for Substitutions
This simple roasted sweet potato recipe can be adapted with several easy swaps:
- Sweet potatoes: While sweet potatoes give this dish its signature taste, you can use butternut squash or regular potatoes instead. Keep in mind that regular potatoes will give you a completely different flavor profile and might need slightly different cooking times.
- Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil works here – try avocado oil, coconut oil, or even melted butter. Each will add its own subtle flavor to the dish.
- Brown sugar: You can swap this with maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar. If you’re watching your sugar intake, feel free to skip it entirely – the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes still shines through.
- Spices: The spice mix is pretty flexible – you can skip any you don’t have on hand (except salt), or try adding chili powder for heat, cumin for earthiness, or Italian seasoning for a herb-forward taste.
- Garlic and onion powder: If you’re out of the powdered versions, you can use fresh minced garlic (2 cloves) and finely minced onion (2 tablespoons). Just mix them in with the oil before coating the potatoes.
What to Serve With Roasted Sweet Potatoes?
These roasted sweet potato cubes make an excellent side dish that pairs wonderfully with so many main courses!
For a simple weeknight dinner, serve them alongside grilled chicken breast or pan-seared pork chops – the sweet and savory flavors work really well together.
If you’re going the vegetarian route, try serving these sweet potatoes with black beans and rice, topped with some fresh avocado and cilantro.
They’re also great with breakfast or brunch dishes – try them next to scrambled eggs and turkey bacon for a cozy weekend meal that’ll keep you full for hours.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These roasted sweet potato cubes stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. They’re perfect for meal prep and make great leftovers for quick sides during the week. Just keep in mind they might soften a bit after being stored.
Freeze: If you want to save them for later, spread the cooled sweet potato cubes on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 2 hours). Then transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. This method prevents them from sticking together, so you can grab just what you need!
Reheat: To bring back that nice crispy exterior, pop them in the oven at 400°F for about 5-10 minutes, or air fry them for 3-4 minutes. You can also microwave them, but they won’t be as crispy. If reheating from frozen, no need to thaw first – just add a few extra minutes to the heating time.
How to Know When the Sweet Potato Cubes are Done
The easiest way to check if your sweet potato cubes are perfectly roasted is to pierce them with a fork – they should slide right through without any resistance, but still hold their shape.
The outside should look slightly caramelized and have a few darker spots where the brown sugar has created a nice crust.
You can also tell they’re ready when the edges are lightly browned and crispy, while the centers remain tender.
If you’re not sure, try tasting one cube (after letting it cool for a moment) – it should be creamy on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior.
Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes FAQ
Why do my sweet potato cubes cook unevenly in the oven?
The key to evenly cooked sweet potato cubes is cutting them into uniform sizes. I always aim for 1-inch cubes – this ensures they’ll all be done at the same time. If some pieces are bigger than others, you’ll end up with some overcooked and some undercooked pieces, which isn’t what we want.
Should I peel the sweet potatoes before roasting?
No, you don’t have to peel sweet potatoes before roasting them. The skin contains extra nutrients and adds a nice texture to the finished dish. I just give them a good scrub to remove any dirt, then cube them with the skin on. Of course, if you prefer them peeled, that works too!
Why do my sweet potatoes stick to the pan during roasting?
If your sweet potatoes are sticking, it’s usually because the pan is too crowded or you haven’t used enough oil. I make sure to give each cube enough space on the baking sheet – they shouldn’t be touching each other. Also, tossing them thoroughly in oil before roasting creates a nice barrier between the potatoes and the pan.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 4 |
| Equipment | mixing bowl, baking pan |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 400-450
- Protein: 5-7 g
- Fat: 25-30 g
- Carbohydrates: 60-65 g
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Sweet Potatoes
Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Peel the sweet potatoes and slice each potato lengthwise.
Slice each half into three equal parts, then cut the pieces into cubes, ensuring they are as evenly sized as possible for uniform cooking.
Step 2: Season the Sweet Potatoes
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Transfer the cubed sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the sweet potatoes, and toss everything together well to ensure each piece is coated.
Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons of onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons of paprika, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the bowl.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring everything is thoroughly mixed and evenly coated.
Step 3: Arrange for Roasting
Pour the seasoned sweet potato cubes onto a well-greased baking pan.
Spread them out into a single layer, spacing them out sufficiently to allow air to circulate around each piece during roasting.
This helps achieve a beautiful caramelization.
Step 4: Roast and Test for Doneness
Roast the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
Use a spatula to toss the pieces every 10 minutes to prevent burning and promote even cooking.
To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the sweet potatoes; they should be very soft inside when fully cooked.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized to your liking, remove them from the oven.
Allow them to cool for a few minutes, then serve as a delightful side dish or enjoy on their own.
Revel in the sweet and savory flavors of your roasted sweet potatoes!
