Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges

In our home, weeknight dinners are a delicate dance between deliciousness and speed. Trying to balance healthy eating with flavors that excite everyone, especially my kids, can sometimes feel like a culinary tightrope walk. That’s where these Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges have become an absolute lifesaver. From the very first time I made them, the response was overwhelmingly positive. The kids, usually skeptical of anything orange that isn’t mac and cheese, devoured them. My husband, a self-proclaimed potato connoisseur, declared them “restaurant quality.” And me? I loved how incredibly easy they were to throw together, transforming humble sweet potatoes into a vibrant, flavorful side dish that complements almost anything. The aroma that fills the kitchen as they roast is simply irresistible, a warm, inviting blend of sweet and savory spices. Honestly, these wedges have become a regular feature on our dinner table, and I’m thrilled to share this simple yet sensational recipe with you. Get ready to fall in love with sweet potatoes all over again!

Ingredients

• Sweet Potatoes: 3 large sweet potatoes, about 2 pounds total. Choose firm sweet potatoes, preferably with smooth skin for easier peeling (though peeling is optional!). They form the base of our delicious wedges, offering natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons. Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its flavor and health benefits, but any cooking oil with a high smoke point will work. It helps the spices adhere to the sweet potatoes and promotes crispiness during roasting.
• Paprika: 1 tablespoon. Adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and beautiful red hue. You can use regular paprika or smoked paprika for a deeper smoky note.
• Cumin: 1 teaspoon. Provides warmth and earthy notes, complementing the sweetness of the potatoes and adding depth to the spice blend.
• Ground Coriander: 1 teaspoon. Lends a citrusy, slightly floral aroma and flavor, brightening the overall spice profile and adding complexity.
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon. Infuses a savory, pungent flavor that enhances the other spices and adds a classic garlic touch without the need for fresh garlic.
• Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon. Adds a subtle sweetness and savory depth, rounding out the spice blend and contributing to the overall umami flavor.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon, or to taste. Enhances all the flavors in the recipe and is crucial for bringing out the best in the sweet potatoes and spices. Kosher salt or sea salt are great options.
• Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon, or to taste. Adds a touch of spice and balances the sweetness, providing a subtle kick and enhancing the overall flavor complexity.

Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is key to achieving perfectly roasted, crispy sweet potato wedges. While the oven is heating, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents sticking, makes cleanup a breeze, and also helps to promote even browning by preventing the wedges from sitting directly on the hot metal. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Wash and Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Thoroughly wash the sweet potatoes under cool running water. Scrub them gently to remove any dirt or grit. Now, decide if you want to peel them or not. Peeling is optional – the skin of sweet potatoes is perfectly edible and packed with nutrients. However, some people prefer the texture of peeled wedges. If you choose to peel them, use a vegetable peeler to remove the outer skin. Once washed (and peeled, if desired), pat the sweet potatoes dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This step is important as excess moisture can prevent the wedges from crisping up properly in the oven.
3. Cut the Sweet Potatoes into Wedges: Now comes the fun part – cutting the sweet potatoes into wedges. First, cut each sweet potato in half lengthwise. Then, place the flat side of each half down on your cutting board for stability. Cut each half lengthwise again into wedges. The size of your wedges will affect the cooking time, so aim for wedges that are approximately ½ to ¾ inch thick at the widest part. Try to cut them as uniformly as possible to ensure they cook evenly. If you prefer thinner wedges, you can cut each half into more wedges. For thicker, steak-fry style wedges, make fewer cuts. Place the cut wedges in a large bowl.
4. Drizzle with Olive Oil and Toss: In the bowl with the sweet potato wedges, drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Using your hands or a spatula, toss the wedges thoroughly to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil. The olive oil not only helps the spices adhere but also promotes crisping and prevents the wedges from drying out during roasting. Make sure every wedge is lightly glistening with oil.
5. Combine Spices and Season the Wedges: In a small bowl, combine all the spices: 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix the spices together until they are well combined. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the oiled sweet potato wedges in the bowl. Again, use your hands or a spatula to toss the wedges, ensuring that the spices are distributed evenly and coat every wedge on all sides. Massage the spices into the wedges a bit to help them adhere. The goal is to have each wedge generously and uniformly seasoned with the flavorful spice blend.
6. Arrange Wedges on Baking Sheet: Spread the spiced sweet potato wedges in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the wedges are not overcrowded, as overcrowding can steam the wedges instead of roasting them, resulting in soggy wedges. If necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure they are in a single layer. Arrange them with a little space between each wedge to allow for proper air circulation and even browning.
7. Roast in the Preheat Oven: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes. After 20 minutes, check the wedges for doneness. They should be tender when pierced with a fork and starting to brown around the edges. For extra crispiness, you can flip the wedges halfway through the cooking time, around the 15-minute mark. This ensures even browning on both sides. Roast for another 5-10 minutes, or until the wedges are golden brown and crispy to your liking. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of roasting to prevent burning, as oven temperatures can vary.
8. Serve Hot and Enjoy: Once the spiced sweet potato wedges are perfectly roasted – tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and beautifully browned – remove them from the oven. Let them cool slightly for a minute or two before serving. This allows them to firm up a bit and makes them easier to handle. Serve them hot as a side dish, snack, or appetizer. They are delicious on their own, but even better with your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy the warm, flavorful, and satisfying spiced sweet potato wedges!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup of wedges (about 4-5 wedges)
Servings Per Recipe: 6

(Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes)

• Calories: 180
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

These Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges are incredibly quick and easy to prepare, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Most of the time is hands-off roasting in the oven, giving you time to focus on other parts of your meal or simply relax while the delicious aroma fills your kitchen. From start to finish, you’ll have a flavorful and healthy side dish ready in under 40 minutes!

How to Serve

These versatile Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges are delicious in so many ways! Here are some fantastic serving suggestions:

• As a Classic Side Dish:
  • Alongside grilled or roasted chicken, fish, or tofu: The sweet and savory flavors of the wedges pair beautifully with a variety of proteins, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
  • With burgers or sandwiches: Swap out traditional fries for these healthier and more flavorful sweet potato wedges for a delightful twist on your favorite comfort food.
  • As part of a vegetarian or vegan main course: Serve them alongside a hearty salad, lentil soup, or veggie burgers for a complete and nutritious plant-based meal.
• As a Delicious Snack or Appetizer:
  • With dipping sauces: Offer a selection of dips like creamy ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, tangy yogurt dip, or classic ketchup for a fun and interactive snack or appetizer.
  • As part of a snack platter: Arrange the wedges on a platter with other snacks like hummus, olives, vegetables sticks, and cheese for a crowd-pleasing spread.
  • Warm or at room temperature: These wedges are delicious both warm straight from the oven and at room temperature, making them perfect for parties or picnics.
• Creative Serving Ideas:
  • Loaded Sweet Potato Wedges: Top the roasted wedges with your favorite nacho toppings like black beans, corn, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese for a fun and flavorful loaded dish.
  • Sweet Potato Wedge Salad: Toss cooled wedges with mixed greens, crumbled feta cheese, toasted pecans, and a vinaigrette dressing for a unique and satisfying salad.
  • Breakfast Sweet Potato Hash: Dice leftover wedges and sauté them with onions, peppers, and eggs for a flavorful and hearty breakfast hash.

Additional Tips for Perfect Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges

1. Ensure Even Wedge Size for Consistent Cooking: Cutting the sweet potatoes into uniform wedges is crucial for even cooking. Try to make them roughly the same size and thickness so they roast at the same rate. This prevents some wedges from being undercooked while others are burnt.
2. Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Give the wedges space to breathe! Overcrowding the baking sheet will cause the wedges to steam instead of roast, resulting in soggy, not crispy, wedges. If necessary, use two baking sheets or roast in batches to ensure they are in a single layer with space between them.
3. Preheat the Oven Fully: Make sure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature (400°F/200°C) before placing the wedges inside. A hot oven is essential for achieving that desirable crispy exterior.
4. Flip Wedges for Even Browning (Optional but Recommended): For perfectly browned wedges on all sides, flip them halfway through the roasting time (around the 15-minute mark). This ensures even color and crispiness all around.
5. Adjust Spices to Your Preference: The spice blend in this recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to adjust it to your taste. Want more heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Prefer a sweeter spice profile? Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg. Experiment and find your perfect spice combination!
6. Use Fresh, High-Quality Spices: Fresh spices have a more potent and vibrant flavor than older spices. If your spices have been sitting in your pantry for a while, consider replacing them for the best flavor in your spiced sweet potato wedges.
7. For Extra Crispy Wedges, Soak in Water (Optional): For super crispy wedges, you can try soaking the cut wedges in cold water for about 30 minutes before roasting. This helps to remove excess starch, resulting in crispier exteriors. Make sure to pat them thoroughly dry before tossing with oil and spices.
8. Don’t Discard the Skins (for Extra Nutrients and Texture): Sweet potato skins are packed with fiber and nutrients. Leaving the skins on adds a slightly rustic texture and boosts the nutritional value of your wedges. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before cutting.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make these sweet potato wedges ahead of time?
A: While these wedges are best enjoyed fresh and crispy straight from the oven, you can prep them ahead of time to save time later. You can cut the sweet potatoes into wedges and toss them with oil and spices up to a few hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator and roast them just before serving. Roasting them from cold may require a few extra minutes of cooking time. Reheating cooked wedges is possible, but they will lose some of their crispiness.

Q2: Can I use different spices for these wedges?
A: Absolutely! This recipe is highly adaptable to your spice preferences. Feel free to experiment with different spice combinations. Some other delicious options include: chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, rosemary, curry powder, or even a touch of cinnamon and sugar for a sweeter version. Get creative and find your favorite flavor profiles!

Q3: What dipping sauces go well with spiced sweet potato wedges?
A: The possibilities are endless! Creamy dips like ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or garlic aioli are classic choices. For a spicy kick, try sriracha mayo or chipotle mayo. Yogurt-based dips with herbs and lemon are also delicious and lighter options. Ketchup, honey mustard, or even a simple drizzle of balsamic glaze can also complement the sweet and savory flavors.

Q4: Are these sweet potato wedges vegan and gluten-free?
A: Yes, these spiced sweet potato wedges are naturally vegan and gluten-free. The ingredients list consists only of sweet potatoes, olive oil, and spices, all of which are plant-based and free from gluten. This makes them a great option for those with dietary restrictions or preferences.

Q5: Can I bake these wedges in an air fryer?
A: Yes, air frying is a fantastic way to make these wedges even quicker and crispier! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the spiced sweet potato wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer). Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until golden brown and tender.

Q6: How do I store leftover sweet potato wedges?
A: Store leftover spiced sweet potato wedges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. While they will lose some of their crispiness upon refrigeration, you can reheat them in the oven, air fryer, or skillet to help revive them a bit.

Q7: Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
A: Yes, you can definitely use regular potatoes (like Russet or Yukon Gold) if you prefer. The cooking time will be similar, although regular potatoes may require slightly longer roasting time to become tender. The flavor profile will be different, as regular potatoes are less sweet than sweet potatoes, but the spice blend will still work beautifully.

Q8: My sweet potato wedges are not crispy, what did I do wrong?
A: There are a few common reasons why your wedges might not be crispy:
 Overcrowding the baking sheet: This is the most common culprit. Make sure the wedges are in a single layer with space between them.
 Not enough oil: Olive oil helps to crisp up the wedges. Ensure they are adequately coated with oil.
 Oven temperature too low: 400°F (200°C) is the ideal temperature for crispy roasted wedges. Make sure your oven is properly preheated.
 Too much moisture: Pat the sweet potatoes dry after washing and before tossing with oil and spices. Soaking them in water (if you choose to do so) and then not drying them thoroughly can also lead to sogginess.
 Not roasting long enough: Roast them until they are golden brown and crispy to your liking. Don’t be afraid to let them get a bit darker for extra crispiness.