Perfect Caramelized Sweet Potatoes in Half the Time

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Nov 14

Written By Corey Taylor

The simple sheet pan sweet potato recipe I use all winter long for sides, bowls, and easy breakfasts.

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Top down image of sweet potatoes cut lengthwise on a sheet pan cut side down.

If you hate waiting an hour for sweet potatoes…

This method gives you the best baked sweet potatoes with almost no effort. Instead of wrapping them in aluminum foil and guessing when they’re done, you:

Slice them in half with a sharp knife
Brush with olive oil or coconut oil
Roast cut-side down on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet

They cook faster, caramelize on the pan, and the centers turn soft and jammy. I use them as a simple side dish, under my favorite protein, or as a base for breakfast bowls with dairy-free sour cream or Greek-style yogurt.

Why you’ll love this sweet potato recipe

Half the time, better texture. Cutting them in half exposes more surface area, so they cook faster and caramelize instead of steaming.
No foil, no fuss. Just a baking tray, parchment paper, and a little oil.
Pantry-friendly. Sweet potatoes, oil, salt—everything is easy to find at most grocery stores.
Flexible. Works for weeknight dinner, cozy winter months, or meal prep. Use as a base for bowls, tacos, or a lighter sweet potato casserole.
Naturally sweet. Roasting in a hot oven brings out their natural sweetness—add a sprinkle of brown sugar if you like them extra dessert-y.

Ingredients (what you need)

Medium sweet potatoes (similar size for even baking)
Olive oil or melted coconut oil (or another healthy fat you like)
Kosher salt
Optional: black pepper, smoked paprika, cinnamon, or chili flakes

For serving ideas, you can add:

Dairy-free sour cream or Greek-style yogurt
Chopped nuts, seeds, or your favorite protein
Shredded vegan cheddar cheese for a loaded potato moment

Close up of caramelized sweet potatoes after roasted cut side down on a sheet pan.

Step-by-step: how to make the perfect baked sweet potato

Heat oven & prep pan.
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet (baking tray) with parchment paper. Position the oven rack in the middle position for even roasting.
Prep the sweet potatoes.
Scrub and dry the sweet potatoes. Using a sharp knife, slice each potato in half lengthwise.
Oil and season.
Place the halves cut-side up on the board. Brush the cut surfaces with olive oil (or coconut oil) and sprinkle with salt and any spices you like.
Flip cut-side down.
Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, cut-side down. Brush or rub a little more oil over the skins.
Roast until caramelized.
Roast 30–40 minutes, depending on size. The skins will look slightly wrinkled, and the edges around the cut faces will be deep golden. A fork should slide easily into the thickest part.
Serve or store.
Serve hot, or cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Close up shot of author holding a bowl of caramelized sweet potato half with greek yogurt, maple syrup and pecans.

Serving ideas

Breakfast bowl: Half a roasted sweet potato + thick dairy-free Greek yogurt + chopped pecans + a drizzle of maple syrup.
Weeknight dinner base: Serve next to roast “chicken”–style tofu or your favorite protein, plus a pan of roasted Brussels sprouts.
Loaded sweet potatoes: Top with black beans, salsa, and shredded vegan cheddar cheese, or use as a shortcut base for a deconstructed sweet potato casserole.
Meal prep: Roast a full pan on Sunday and reheat for quick sides all week.

Tips for best results

Match the size. Use sweet potatoes that are similar in size so they roast at the same speed.
Don’t overcrowd. Give them space on the pan so the edges caramelize instead of steaming.
Check early. Smaller potatoes can be done closer to 25–30 minutes; larger ones may need the full 40.
For cubes: If you prefer sweet potato cubes, peel and cube, toss with oil and salt, and roast at 400 degrees F, stirring once, until browned on the edges.

Variations & air fryer option

Air fryer: Same method—cut-side down at 375 degrees F. Check around 18–20 minutes.
Savory side dish: Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili flakes before roasting; serve with a squeeze of lemon.
Sweeter version: Sprinkle a little brown sugar and cinnamon over the cut sides before roasting.
Main dish bowls: Slice or scoop the flesh into grain bowls with quinoa, shredded Brussels sprouts, and your favorite protein.

Storage

Store completely cooled sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
Reheat on a baking sheet at 325 degrees F until warmed through, or use the air fryer for a quicker reheat.

FAQ

Can I use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper?
Yes, but I prefer parchment paper. Foil can steam the potatoes a bit more, while parchment helps them caramelize on the baking tray.

Can I make these in advance for a sweet potato casserole?
Yes. Roast the halves, scoop out the flesh, and use it as the base for your favorite (vegan) sweet potato casserole recipe.

What if my potatoes are really big?
Cut them into quarters instead of halves, or roast a bit longer. Always test doneness with a fork in the thickest part.

Can I use a different oil?
Any neutral oil works—olive oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil all give great results and add a bit of healthy fat.

sweet potato, baked sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes

side dish

American

Yield: 4

Author: Corey Taylor