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Crispy Sweet Potatoes

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Turn sweet potatoes into irresistible bites with a crisp exterior and tender inside. First, cook them by boiling or roasting, then press gently before crisping them under the broiler. Add a drizzle of butter mixed with fresh parsley and garlic, then finish with Parmesan for a savory crunch. Caramelized sweetness from the cooking makes this side dish perfectly balanced.
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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:06:04 GMT
Golden Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes Topped With Parmesan Pin it
Golden Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes Topped With Parmesan | tasteofsavor.com

Ordinary sweet potatoes become something magical in this balanced treat. The smashed potatoes give you crunchy borders with soft middles, boosted by flavorful garlic butter and rich Parmesan. I've tried tons of sweet potato ideas over the years, but this one stands as my clan's top pick by far.

These mashed sweet potatoes won a forever spot in my cooking lineup after I watched guests practically fight to grab the final piece. Mix some garlic butter with Parmesan and suddenly boring sweet potatoes turn into something you can't stop eating.

Smart Ingredient Picks

  • Sweet potatoes: Go for hard ones without spots that look about the same size so they cook evenly
  • Butter: Try the fancy European kind for better taste and nice golden color
  • Fresh garlic: Pick bulbs that feel heavy and have tight cloves
  • Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano melts better and tastes way nicer
  • Parsley: Find bunches that look bright green and stand up straight for best flavor

Making Incredible Smashed Potatoes

Getting Started:
Put your oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler. Turn broiler to high. Get everything ready before you start - grab a big pot, baking tray, and something to smash potatoes with. Being organized makes cooking way easier.
Getting Potatoes Ready:
Clean sweet potatoes with cool water. Cut them into chunks about 1½ inches big. Making them all the same size means they'll cook together. Cut off any bad spots.
Basic Cooking:
Get a big pot of cold water and throw in a tablespoon of salt. Add your potato pieces and heat until boiling. Turn it down to a gentle bubble. Start checking with a fork after 20 minutes. You want them soft but not mushy.
How to Smash:
After draining, put potatoes on an oily baking sheet with space between them. Push down with a fork or masher firmly but don't squash them flat. The bumpy top will get super crispy.
Adding Flavor:
Mix melted butter with crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Pour this tasty mix over each potato so it gets into all the nooks. Add plenty of kosher salt and fresh pepper.
Simple Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe Pin it
Simple Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe | tasteofsavor.com

My nonna always told me to finish dishes with the tastiest Parmesan you can buy. She always said this last touch was what changed plain veggies into something people remember.

Ways To Serve

Show off these golden treats on a country-style plate with some fresh herbs sprinkled around. They go great with grilled meat, roasted chicken, or as part of a meal without meat. For something extra fancy, add a little sour cream or garlic mayo on the side.

Tasty Changes To Try

Play around with different cheeses like crumbly feta or strong blue cheese. Add some red pepper flakes if you want heat, or a little honey for extra sweetness. You can also mix herbs like rosemary or thyme into your garlic butter.

Keeping Leftovers

Put any extras in a container with a good lid for up to 3 days. Warm them up in a hot oven until crispy again, but don't use the microwave or they'll go all soft. They taste best right after cooking though.

Mouthwatering Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe Pin it
Mouthwatering Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe | tasteofsavor.com

These smashed sweet potatoes are comfort food at its best. When you mix naturally sweet potatoes with savory garlic butter and salty Parmesan, you get a side dish nobody can resist. It's become a regular in my kitchen now. They show that sometimes the most basic ingredients, when you cook them with a little love, make the most unforgettable meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Should I boil or roast the sweet potatoes beforehand?
Boiling works well for enhancing the sweet flavor and gives great caramelization, but roasting is a good choice too.
→ How do I smash them without breaking them apart?
Gently push down with a fork or flat object. Take care not to press too hard, as soft potatoes can fall apart.
→ Can I get these ready early?
Prepare by boiling or roasting first, then smash and broil just before serving for an excellent texture.
→ What kind of sweet potatoes are ideal?
Use bigger, longer ones for larger pieces. Chunkier varieties give the best results.
→ How will I know they’re ready after broiling?
They’ll turn golden and look crispy on top. This usually happens in around 15 minutes under the broiler.

Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Soft sweet potatoes are smashed and cooked until golden and crispy. Topped with Parmesan and garlic butter, they’re an amazing flavor combo.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Vegetarian

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Contemporary American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Sweet Potato Layer

01 4 medium or 3 large sweet potatoes, ideally fat and round to make smashing easier
02 Spray of light olive oil for a crisp, golden finish

→ Garlic Butter Drizzle

03 3 tablespoons of butter, melted to a golden hue
04 4 garlic cloves, finely smashed or minced
05 1 tablespoon of parsley, chopped nice and small
06 Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt, added to your taste
07 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, fresh is best

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven up to high broil. In the meantime, chop off the ends of your sweet potatoes and quarter them generously into roughly 1 1/2-inch pieces.

Step 02

If boiling for sweeter caramelized edges: Cover your potato chunks in salted water, bring them to a boil, and simmer with a lid for 20 to 25 minutes until they're just tender enough. Prefer roasting? Bake the pieces for about 25 to 30 minutes until soft. Let them cool enough to handle.

Step 03

Spray a baking sheet lightly with oil. Line up the softened sweet potatoes, and use a fork to squash each piece down. Don’t press too much—you want them to hold together.

Step 04

In a small bowl, stir together the golden butter, mashed-up garlic, and chopped parsley. Pour this flavorful mix over every smashed potato. Sprinkle some salt and pepper, then spray everything with a touch of olive oil.

Step 05

Broil your potatoes until they’re golden-brown and crispy, roughly 15 minutes. Pull them out, top them with grated Parmesan, and pop them back in until the cheese just melts.

Step 06

Right before serving, scatter a bit more parsley and salt on top. These spuds are best when enjoyed hot—crispy on the outside, meltingly soft inside.

Notes

  1. Go for rounder, wider sweet potatoes to maximize crisp edges after smashing.
  2. Boiling first helps the natural sugars caramelize before they're broiled.
  3. You can boil and smash the potatoes in advance, then broil them just before you’re ready to serve.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot if boiling the potatoes
  • Baking sheet, large enough for the potatoes
  • Fork to press the potatoes down
  • Small mixing bowl for the garlic butter

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy products (butter and Parmesan cheese)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 220
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 4 g