Name: Melting Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch thick rounds; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves; Salt and black pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

There is something truly magical about Melting Sweet Potatoes. Imagine golden rounds of sweet potato, their centers pillowy soft and creamy, their edges caramelized and rich from a buttery, garlicky glaze. This dish takes the humble sweet potato and gives it star treatment—with just a handful of ingredients, each bite is pure melt-in-your-mouth comfort. Whether you’re serving this alongside a holiday roast or just craving something a little extra special midweek, Melting Sweet Potatoes are the kind of simple pleasure you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Melting Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Melting Sweet Potatoes lies in the simplicity of the ingredients. Each one has a specific purpose, from building flavor to ensuring that signature tender, ‘melting’ texture everyone raves about.

Sweet potatoes: The star of the show, sliced thick so they hold their shape outside and become velvety-soft inside.
Unsalted butter: Adds deep, rich flavor and helps develop that luscious, silky finish.
Olive oil: Keeps the potatoes from sticking and brings a subtle fruitiness to the party.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic infuses every bite with earthy, savory depth.
Chicken or vegetable broth: Adds moisture and transforms into a savory glaze as it reduces in the oven. Choose vegetable broth to keep this dish vegetarian.
Fresh thyme leaves: Bright, herby notes bring everything together beautifully and add color.
Salt and black pepper: Just the right amount is crucial to balance sweetness and enhance flavors overall.

How to Make Melting Sweet Potatoes

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high heat is the secret to getting those deeply caramelized edges while the interiors go creamy. Either line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent any precious rounds from sticking.

Step 2: Mix and Coat

In a large bowl, combine your peeled, thick-cut sweet potato rounds with melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and a generous sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Toss everything thoroughly, ensuring each slice is well coated—this is what gives Melting Sweet Potatoes their signature golden color and rich taste once roasted.

Step 3: First Roast

Arrange the seasoned sweet potato rounds in a single, even layer on your prepared baking sheet. Give them some space so the heat can circulate and crisp up those edges. Pop them in the oven for 15 minutes, then flip each round carefully. This flip helps every surface get a little caramelization and maximizes the flavor.

Step 4: Add Broth and Thyme

Once both sides have roasted, it’s time for the magic: pour the broth evenly over the sweet potatoes and scatter over the fresh thyme leaves. The broth will bubble and reduce, infusing the rounds with flavor and creating that irresistible glaze that defines Melting Sweet Potatoes.

Step 5: Finish Roasting

Return the tray to the oven and roast for another 10 minutes. You’ll notice the liquid has mostly evaporated, leaving behind glossy, beautifully browned rounds that are tender clear through. At this stage, the potatoes should basically cut with the side of a fork.

How to Serve Melting Sweet Potatoes

Garnishes

A quick flourish of fresh thyme right before serving adds not only a lively pop of color but also a burst of garden-fresh aroma. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of honey or a quick grating of lemon zest can give the Melting Sweet Potatoes an extra dimension that’s sure to impress.

Side Dishes

Melting Sweet Potatoes play perfectly off hearty proteins—they’re fantastic alongside roast chicken, glazed ham, or a seared pork tenderloin. For vegetarian spreads, pair with sautéed greens, a crisp salad, or a creamy risotto to create balance on the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack the sweet potato rounds for an elegant, restaurant-style presentation or fan them out on a platter for a more rustic look. For appetizers, serve smaller rounds with dollops of whipped goat cheese or ricotta. No matter how you style them, Melting Sweet Potatoes always steal the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Melting Sweet Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delicious for up to three days and are an easy grab-and-go lunch or quick side during the week.

Freezing

While these are at their irresistible best freshly roasted, you can freeze Melting Sweet Potatoes if you need to prepare ahead. Let them cool completely, then layer between parchment paper and freeze in a well-sealed container for up to one month.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked texture, reheat Melting Sweet Potatoes on a baking sheet in a 375°F (190°C) oven until warmed through and the edges crisp back up. For a faster option, the microwave works well though you’ll lose some crispiness.

FAQs

Can I make Melting Sweet Potatoes with yams instead?

You can substitute yams if that’s what you have on hand, but true sweet potatoes offer a creamier, sweeter result and really shine in this dish’s format.

What’s the best way to cut the sweet potatoes evenly?

Use a sharp chef’s knife and cut the peeled sweet potatoes into 1-inch thick rounds. Cutting them evenly ensures they all cook at the same rate, so every piece melts beautifully.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute coconut oil or a vegan butter for the unsalted butter, and stick to vegetable broth. You’ll still get luscious, flavorful Melting Sweet Potatoes.

How do I keep the potatoes from sticking to the pan?

Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper or give it a light coating of oil before laying down the sweet potatoes. The olive oil in the recipe also helps with nonstick insurance.

Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?

For the softest, most tender Melting Sweet Potatoes, it’s best to peel them first. The skin can toughen during roasting and distract from that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Final Thoughts

I can’t think of a better excuse to turn on the oven than a batch of Melting Sweet Potatoes. Whether you’re making them for a special gathering or simply treating yourself on a weeknight, each bite is pure comfort and joy. Give them a try and let these sweet, savory pillows of goodness win a spot in your regular rotation!

Melting Sweet Potatoes Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Melting Sweet Potatoes are a heavenly side dish that combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with savory flavors and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Roasted to perfection and glazed with a flavorful broth, these sweet potatoes are sure to become a favorite at your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potatoes:

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch thick rounds

Other Ingredients:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Salt and black pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Prepare Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato rounds with melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well coated.
Roast Sweet Potatoes: Arrange the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 15 minutes, then flip the rounds over and roast for another 15 minutes.
Add Broth and Thyme: Pour the broth over the sweet potatoes and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 10 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the broth has mostly evaporated, leaving a flavorful glaze.
Serve: Serve warm with extra thyme if desired.