I remember the first time Julie made these for me, accompanied with her Chipotle Dipping Sauce. I thought, how can sweet potatoes taste good with chipotle sauce on them? You’ll have to see for yourself. Trust me that you will not be disappointed. They also plate very well if you’re trying to impress a guest or two. My brother, who still hasn’t jumped on the band wagon, is constantly asking for this recipe to be cooked up when we’re in Tennessee visiting.
4 medium-sized sweet potatoes, cut lengthwise into spears
¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
2 teaspoons (10 ml) cumin
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ cup (60mL) Chipotle Dipping Sauce ( recipe here)
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Cover two cookie sheets with aluminum foil.
- Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper and spread out evenly on cookie sheets, making sure not to crowd the spears.
- Turn potatoes once or twice during baking. Bake 30–40 minutes or until potatoes are done and slightly crispy.
- Serve with Chipotle Dipping Sauce.
Tips & Tricks—These go great with just about whatever condiment suites your fancy. For some time-saving tricks, have the potatoes already cut into wedges, and in a container filled with water in the fridge. When you are ready to cook them, pour off the water, dry the spears, then season and cook. While we don’t call for peeling the sweet potatoes, feel free to do so if that is your preference.
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Sweet potato spears roast at 400F with cumin and olive oil until the edges crisp, then go straight into Chipotle Dipping Sauce. It is the sweet-heat combo that converts skeptics - one brother asks for it on every Tennessee visit. Two foil-lined sheets and forty minutes.
Pro Tips
- Spread the spears across two sheets and never crowd them; steamed spears go soft instead of crisp.
- Cut the spears evenly so they finish at the same time - thin tips burn before thick centers cook.
- Turn them once or twice during baking for color on all sides.
- The Chipotle Dipping Sauce pairing sounds unlikely and works anyway - the recipe dares you to try it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it go with?
It plates well for company and works as a side for anything grilled; the chipotle sauce is the required partner.
Can I skip the dipping sauce?
You can, but the smoky-creamy dip is the pairing the whole recipe is built around.
How do I get them crispier?
Give them space, keep the oven hot, and let them go the full 30-40 minutes until the edges brown.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Cover two cookie sheets with aluminum foil.
- Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper and spread out evenly on cookie sheets, making sure not to crowd the spears.
- Turn potatoes once or twice during baking.
- Bake 30–40 minutes or until potatoes are done and slightly crispy.
- Serve with Chipotle Dipping Sauce.
