The Secret to Perfectly Crispy Sweet Potatoes

• Smashed sweet potatoes get crispy edges and creamy centers, giving you the crunch sweet potatoes often lack.
• The recipe is simple and fast—just slice, season, bake, smash and broil on one baking sheet for easy cleanup.
• You can customize the flavor with your favorite spices or toppings, making them a fun and versatile side or appetizer.

The humble sweet potato is one of the most versatile root vegetables, at home as a mashed side, a savory breakfast hash or even in a sweet pie. It gets a lot of play in my household. I microwave smaller sweet potatoes and top them with broccoli and scallions for a healthy, quick lunch, and I’ll roast cubes with warm spices like cumin and coriander for a flavorful side to Sunday supper. But for everything that makes a sweet potato so special, one aspect of the veg that can feel a bit one-dimensional is the texture.

I am old enough to remember when sweet potato fries gained popularity. Delicious as they were (and still are), they certainly don’t have that distinct crunch of a regular french fry. No matter how many times I tried roasting, air frying or pan frying sweet potatoes, I could never achieve that crispy bite I so desired. Even restaurant or store-bought frozen sweet potatoes simply lack in the texture department. I essentially gave up thinking sweet potatoes in any form could ever truly get crispy, that is, until I found a delicious recipe on EatingWell.

This recipe manages to highlight the sweet, earthy flavor and creamy texture of a sweet potato but still gets pleasantly crispy. That recipe is Smashed Sweet Potatoes, which is a take on the popular smashed potatoes and manages to be both crispy on the edges, yet buttery creamy on the inside. I like to think of this recipe as the bolder, more flavorful cousin of regular smashed potatoes. And one of the big reasons I love this recipe so much is the simple method, plus you only have to use a single baking sheet, making cleanup a breeze.

Why You Should Make Smashed Sweet Potatoes

It’s a straightforward recipe without fussy, hard-to-find ingredients. A trip to the grocery store for the sweet potatoes and a well-stocked spice cabinet are all you need. The recipe calls for an assortment of spices, like chili powder, cumin and ground chipotle, all of which I typically have on hand. And it’s super easy to customize. If you don’t like these Southwestern flavors, swap in other herbs and spices like dried oregano and Parmesan cheese, chili-lime spice or everything bagel seasoning.

The recipe also comes together quickly. It takes about 30 minutes, but most of that is hands-off time. Plus, aside from a cutting board, knife and Mason jar, you need only a large rimmed baking sheet. Other smashed veg recipes may call for poaching, steaming or boiling first, meaning you’ll have something else to clean. No, it’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but I truly appreciate recipes with a simple method, few ingredients and little to clean up.

Finally, these flavorful sweet potato discs are perfect for toppings. Since they are sweet and savory, they taste excellent with avocado, black beans, sour cream, salsa or even mangos and pickled jalapeños. They make a fun appetizer. Set a bunch of different toppings out along with the smashed sweet potatoes and let your guests top them with whatever they’d like.

How to Make Smashed Sweet Potatoes

If you’ve ever made regular smashed potatoes, you can definitely make this recipe. You’ll start by cutting peeled large sweet potatoes into 3/4-inch rounds and then make a seasoning spread in a small bowl with extra-virgin olive oil, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, ground chipotle and garlic powder. Layer the sliced potatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet, then spoon or brush the seasoning mixture on both sides. 

The oven rack position is important. You want it about 6 inches from the broiler. More on that soon. Preheat the oven to 425°F, then add the potatoes and bake until just tender. You can use a fork to test for doneness—it should meet just a touch of resistance when poked in the center of the potato rounds. It will take 15 to 18 minutes. 

Now comes the fun part. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, then set the broiler to high. Use the bottom of a Mason jar or a sturdy glass or bowl to mash the sweet potato rounds. Press down evenly and firmly so the rounds are flattened but not completely disintegrated. To reduce sticking, you can add a layer of plastic wrap to the bottom of the jar or glass. Once flattened, broil them until lightly browned and crispy on the edges. It’ll take about 3 minutes, but don’t walk away at this point as they could burn if you don’t keep an eye on them. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt and you have a uniquely flavorful, crispy sweet potato that’s perfect on its own or the base for fun toppings.

The Bottom Line

Smashed sweet potatoes are a wonderful alternative to traditional smashed potatoes, with pleasantly crispy edges and a toasty, slightly sweet flavor. You need only a handful of spices, a touch of oil, and some large sweet potatoes for this simple recipe. It takes just 30 minutes and requires only a large rimmed baking sheet. With minimal effort, you can turn sweet potato rounds into crispy discs that are tasty on their own and even more special with toppings. If you too love sweet potatoes, you have to give this recipe a try.