Creamy Oven Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato

Uhhhh here is a really great roasted sweet potato recipe. First, the potatoes get a quick head start in the microwave to soften them up a little and get the cooking going, and then they go straight into the oven to get that gorgeous crispy/creamy finish on the outside. Two steps, one amazing result.

In this case we are using Japanese sweet potato, which has a beautifully dense, starchy flesh and a naturally sweet flavor that gets even better in the oven. That said, you can absolutely use any variety you can find, just keep in mind that some are softer and some are firmer, so cooking times may vary slightly.

And if you have never tried this kind of recipe before, you might be surprised to learn just how popular it is in Japan, especially during the colder months, when street vendors sell these fragrant, piping-hot sweet potatoes right out of wood-fired carts, i would say 90% of the time they just sell it plain with nothing added, but some do sell with a bit of salt, butter, honey/syrup or cheese like i did here hehehe. It is a simple, humble, and deeply satisfying snack that has been warming japanese people for generations.

As a side dish, it is a wonderful companion to almost any meal. As an appetizer or a snack, it is just as good on its own, warm from the oven, with nothing else needed at all. Just like in Japan! ;D Let’s check the recipe!

Creamy Oven Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato

Servings: 6
Time: 35mins
Difficulty: Normal
Rating: ★★★★★
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Gotta love the simplicity here, it's all about making the sweet potato shine, you can of course just put it in the oven, but i feel that dries up the sweet potato a bit more, than this way!

Ingredients

Sweet Potato – 3
Salt – A Pinch
Pepper – A Pinch
Parmesan Cheese – A Pinch (Grated)

Directions

Start by washing the sweet potatoes well, using a brush if necessary to clean them thoroughly, prick each one a few times with a fork.
Next, microwave for 3 to 4 minutes (less time if the potatoes are smaller).
Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF).

Now, cut each potato lengthwise completely and then cut cubes in each half but keeping the peel (check the pictures), then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper and, if desired, Parmesan cheese.

Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes until the outside is crispy! Taste to see if its good and to adjust seasoning and its ready to serve!

Notes & Tips: You can swap the parmesan for a cheese that melts nicely, like gouda, cheddar, or mozzarella. It comes out absolutely fantastic and gives a slightly different, gooey finish. You can also add butter, honey or syrup 🙂

Make sure you do not skip the pricking step before the microwave. Steam builds up inside the potato as it cooks, and without those little holes it can burst. Not fun to clean up and can burn you if they explode.

The microwave step is key here. It gets the inside soft and fully cooked before the oven finishes things off, which means you get a creamy interior and a crispy exterior without having to wait for a long time!

If your potatoes are very large, you may want to add an extra minute or two in the microwave, or an extra 5 minutes in the oven, until a knife slides in easily.

Japanese sweet potatoes tend to be denser and less watery than orange fleshed varieties, which is why they roast up so well and get that slightly caramelized edge. If you use a softer variety, keep a close eye in the oven as they may need less time.

These are great served as a side dish, a starter, or even a snack on a cold afternoon. Exactly the kind of thing you want to eat while standing in the kitchen straight from the tray. ;D

This recipe is a staple of Japanese winters, traditionally sold by street vendors called yakiimo-ya, who roast whole sweet potatoes slowly in large stone-filled drums. This oven version is a quick and very approachable way to recreate that same cozy, warming feeling at home.

This recipe for Creamy Oven Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato was originally created on BakeAfter.com. Esta receita de Batata Doce Assada foi publicada em português no Iguaria.com.