Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta Recipe
The Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta is a dazzling dish that combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the tangy creaminess of crumbled feta cheese. This recipe marries warm spices like cinnamon, smoked paprika, and cumin with a touch of honey to create an irresistible flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting. Whether you’re looking to jazz up your weeknight dinner or impress guests with a vibrant side, this recipe hits every note—sweet, savory, and a little bit spicy—all wrapped up in a colorful, wholesome package.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential for building the bold flavors and perfect texture of the Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta. Each component plays a role in creating that satisfying balance of sweet, smoky, spicy, and tangy that you’ll love.
- Sweet potatoes: Choose large, firm sweet potatoes for even slices and perfect roasting.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps the spices stick while promoting a crisp, golden edge.
- Ground cinnamon: Provides a warm, cozy undertone that complements the sweetness.
- Smoked paprika: Brings a subtle smokiness that elevates the dish’s depth.
- Cumin: Adds earthiness and a hint of savory warmth.
- Coriander: Offers a light citrus note to brighten flavors.
- Crushed red chili flakes: Give the recipe an exciting little kick of heat.
- Kosher salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all flavors.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground for a subtle sharpness that lingers.
- Honey: Used to amplify sweetness and create a slight glaze during roasting; try spicy honey for extra flavor.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled, it adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet potatoes.
- Fresh chives or parsley: A pop of color and fresh herbaceous brightness for garnish.
How to Make Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F to ensure the perfect roasting temperature. Wash your sweet potatoes thoroughly, then pat them dry to remove excess moisture. Slice them into ⅓-inch thick rounds—this thickness allows them to roast evenly, becoming tender inside while crisping on the edges. This preparation sets the foundation for the magic to come.
Step 2: Coat with Oil
Next, drizzle olive oil onto a large rimmed baking sheet to prevent sticking and promote even roasting. Arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer and toss them gently to coat every round evenly in the oil. Don’t overcrowd the tray, as giving each slice enough space will help them roast to crisp perfection instead of steaming. If you have large sweet potatoes, you might want to use two trays to keep things roomy.
Step 3: Season the Sweet Potatoes
Sprinkle the sweet potato rounds with your aromatic blend of cinnamon, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, and crushed red chili flakes, along with kosher salt and black pepper for seasoning. Then, drizzle honey over the slices. Turn them again gently in the tray to ensure each piece is generously coated with the spices and honey. This balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy will come alive during roasting.
Step 4: Roast in the Oven
Slide the tray into the oven and roast the sweet potatoes for 20 minutes. After this first round, flip each slice carefully to allow even browning and caramelization on both sides. Return the potatoes to the oven for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until they are tender, beautifully golden, and have crispy, slightly charred edges. This step creates that irresistible texture contrast everyone craves.
Step 5: Finish and Serve Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta
Once out of the oven, transfer the roasted sweet potato slices to a serving platter. If you like, sprinkle a little more salt for balancing the sweetness, and drizzle an extra touch of honey to elevate that luscious glaze. Crumble generous amounts of feta cheese over the warm potatoes, letting its creamy tang contrast the rich spices. Sprinkle fresh chives or parsley on top for a dash of fresh color and brightness. Serve immediately while warm—this is comfort food that feels gourmet!
How to Serve Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta
Garnishes
Besides the classic feta and herbs, you can take your garnishing game higher by adding toasted pine nuts for crunch or a handful of pomegranate seeds for juicy bursts of sweetness and gorgeous jewel tones. A final drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can add some lovely complexity too.
Side Dishes
This dish shines as a side alongside grilled chicken, lamb kebabs, or a fresh green salad. Its hearty qualities make it an excellent vegetarian or vegan-friendly meal when paired with protein-rich legumes or grains like quinoa or farro. The fusion of spices works well with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern-inspired menus.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering the roasted slices with dollops of yogurt, avocado cream, or a zesty tahini sauce for a trendy layered platter or a fancy appetizer spread. You could also stack the slices pyramid-style for dinner parties or spread them out on warm flatbreads, finishing with the feta and herbs to make delicious open-faced “sweet potato toasts.”
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can refrigerate leftover Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make sure to wait until the potatoes cool completely before storing to avoid sogginess. The flavors tend to meld beautifully overnight, sometimes tasting even better the next day!
Freezing
While sweet potatoes themselves freeze well, once combined with feta it’s best to freeze the sweet potatoes alone to maintain texture. Lay the roasted slices flat on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Add fresh feta and herbs after reheating.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven crispiness, reheat your sweet potatoes on a baking sheet in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This helps them regain their roasted edges without becoming mushy like microwave reheating can cause. Add the feta and fresh herbs just before serving again for maximum flavor impact.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Absolutely! Regular potatoes will work, but keep in mind they have a different sweetness and tend to be starchier, so the baking time might vary slightly. Sweet potatoes bring a natural sweetness that complements the feta and spices uniquely.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, the Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta is naturally gluten-free, making it a fantastic option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Just double-check any added ingredients like honey or spices to be sure.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Definitely! Simply skip the feta or replace it with a vegan cheese alternative or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for that umami punch. The sweet potatoes and spices stand beautifully on their own.
How spicy is the recipe? Can I adjust the heat?
The crushed red chili flakes add a gentle kick but nothing overwhelming. Feel free to adjust the amount up or down based on your spice tolerance. You can also try swapping out the spicy honey for regular honey to tone things down.
What’s the best way to slice the sweet potatoes?
Slicing sweet potatoes into ⅓-inch thick rounds is ideal for this recipe to ensure even cooking and a balance between crispy edges and tender centers. Thinner slices may burn, and thicker slices might take longer to cook through evenly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so wonderfully satisfying about the Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta that keeps me coming back to this recipe time and time again. It’s a beautiful combination of flavors and textures that feels both indulgent and wholesome. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it part of your own kitchen favorites. Once you do, I promise you’ll find plenty of occasions to serve this vibrant dish!
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Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Best Baked Sweet Potato with Feta recipe combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with a warm blend of spices, drizzled honey, and creamy crumbled feta. The dish is finished with fresh chives or parsley for a vibrant, flavorful side or light main that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes
Seasonings and Toppings
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey (regular or spicy for extra flavor)
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Chopped fresh chives or parsley
- Extra honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Then slice the potatoes into ⅓-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Coat with Oil: Drizzle olive oil onto a large rimmed sheet tray to prevent sticking. Add the sweet potato slices and turn them to coat evenly in the oil. Use two trays if the potatoes are large to avoid overcrowding and ensure they roast uniformly.
- Season the Sweet Potatoes: Sprinkle the sweet potato rounds evenly with ground cinnamon, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, crushed red chili flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Drizzle honey over the potatoes and turn them again to coat thoroughly with the seasoning and honey mixture.
- Roast in the Oven: Place the tray(s) in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Then flip each potato slice over to promote even roasting and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden and crispy.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a serving platter. Season with a little extra salt, drizzle with additional honey, and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top. Garnish generously with fresh chives or parsley. Serve warm and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use thicker slices but increase the roasting time slightly.
- Adjust the red chili flakes based on your spice preference.
- Feel free to substitute feta with goat cheese or ricotta for a creamier texture.
- This dish is great served as a side or a light vegetarian main course.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven to retain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Baking/Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 large sweet potato with toppings)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: baked sweet potatoes, feta cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, spicy sweet potatoes, Mediterranean recipe, vegetarian side dish
