Sweet potatoes are a Shabbat table staple, but this recipe elevates them beyond the ordinary. With a few simple additions, these oven-roasted sweet potatoes develop crispy, caramelized edges and a tender interior, all coated in a sweet-savory glaze of honey, garlic, and thyme. The preparation is straightforward, making it an ideal choice for busy pre-Shabbat cooking.
Crispy Honey-Garlic Sweet Potatoes with Thyme
Preparation time: approximately 10 minutes
Baking time: approximately 40 minutes
Serves: 5-6
Ingredients
4 medium sweet potatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
½ teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
½ teaspoon crushed chili flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 210°C (410°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly and cut them into thick wedges or large cubes. The skin can be left on for added crispiness.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, honey, crushed garlic, paprika, salt, black pepper, thyme, and chili flakes if using. Add the sweet potato pieces and toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated with the mixture.
- Arrange the sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. This spacing is crucial, it allows the potatoes to roast and develop color rather than steaming and becoming overly soft.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, gently turning the pieces halfway through. During the final five minutes of baking, sprinkle sesame seeds over the top and continue roasting until the edges turn golden brown and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm. The combination of the sweet potato's natural sweetness enhanced by honey, balanced against the savory garlic and aromatic thyme, creates a dish that's difficult to resist eating straight from the pan.
For maximum crispiness, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. If necessary, use two separate pans, the space between pieces is the key to achieving proper browning and caramelization.
