You’re about to discover one of the most irresistible ways to prepare sweet potatoes! These honey glazed wedges strike the perfect balance between sweet and savory, with a golden-brown exterior that gives way to a tender inside. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or enjoying them as a snack, their caramelized edges and rich honey coating will transform ordinary sweet potatoes into something extraordinary. There’s more to these wedges than meets the eye.
Key Takeaways
- Sweet potato wedges are sliced diagonally into 1-inch thick pieces and tossed with a honey-olive oil glaze before baking.
- Bake wedges at high temperature for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even caramelization and optimal crispiness.
- The combination of honey and olive oil creates a naturally sweet glaze while ensuring crispy exteriors and tender interiors.
- Leave space between wedges on the baking sheet and let rest for 5 minutes after baking for best texture.
- These wedges offer a healthier alternative to fries while providing vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants.
History
While sweet potatoes have been cultivated for over 5,000 years in South America, the honey-glazed preparation method gained popularity in the 1960s as home cooks sought healthier alternatives to deep-fried foods.
You’ll find that these delicious wedges evolved from traditional Native American cooking techniques, where sweet potatoes were often roasted with natural sweeteners.
During the health food movement of the late 20th century, you’d see this recipe appearing in countless cookbooks and family kitchens.
Innovative cooks discovered that honey’s natural properties created an incredible caramelization effect when combined with the sweet potato’s starches.
Today, you’re part of a culinary tradition that’s transformed from simple roasted vegetables into a beloved side dish that perfectly balances nutrition with incredible flavor!
Recipe
Sweet potato wedges offer a healthier alternative to traditional french fries while delivering a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors. When baked to perfection, these wedges develop a crispy exterior and tender interior that makes them an irresistible side dish.
The honey glaze transforms these simple wedges into a gourmet treat, creating a caramelized coating that enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. This easy-to-make recipe requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum flavor, making it an excellent accompaniment to any main course.
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes and cut them lengthwise into evenly sized wedges. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil and honey, then toss the wedges until completely coated.
Arrange wedges on a baking sheet in a single layer, skin side down, and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking time, until the edges are crispy and caramelized.
For optimal results, cut the wedges in uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Pat the sweet potatoes dry with paper towels before coating them with the honey-oil mixture to achieve better crispiness.
If the honey begins to brown too quickly during baking, loosely cover the wedges with aluminum foil. Allow the cooked wedges to rest for 5 minutes before serving to achieve maximum crispiness.
Cooking Steps
You’ll start by cutting your sweet potatoes diagonally into thick, even wedges and tossing them in a flavor-packed mixture of honey and olive oil.
Next, arrange the coated wedges on your baking sheet with plenty of space between them, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper before sliding them into your hot oven.
After they’ve turned golden brown and crispy (about 25-30 minutes), let them rest for a few minutes to achieve that perfect texture – you’ll love how the honey creates an irresistible caramelized coating!
Step 1. Slice Potatoes Diagonally
Begin by slicing your clean sweet potatoes lengthwise into even wedges, about 1-inch thick at their widest part.
Place each sweet potato on your cutting board and slice diagonally downward at a 45-degree angle to create beautiful, uniform pieces that’ll cook evenly.
For the perfect wedges, you’ll want to quarter each potato lengthwise first, then cut each quarter in half again. This technique creates 8 equal-sized wedges from each potato, with one flat side that’ll sit perfectly on your baking sheet.
Make sure your knife is sharp – it’ll make the job easier and safer! These diagonal cuts expose more surface area for that delicious honey glaze to caramelize, resulting in wedges that are crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Step 2. Prepare Honey Oil Mixture
Once your sweet potato wedges are perfectly sliced, preparing the honey-oil mixture is where the magic happens!
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of golden honey. The oil helps create that irresistible crispy exterior, while the honey adds a delicious caramelized sweetness.
Using a whisk or fork, blend these ingredients until they’re completely incorporated. You’ll notice the mixture becoming smooth and taking on a lovely amber color.
Don’t worry if the honey seems thick at first – it’ll thin out as you stir! This perfect combination will coat your wedges evenly and create that mouth-watering glaze we’re after.
Make sure to mix enough for all your wedges – you want each piece to get its fair share of this flavorful coating!
Step 3. Season With Salt Pepper
Sprinkling salt and pepper over sweet potato wedges transforms them from simple to spectacular! The seasoning process is a crucial step that’ll bring out the natural sweetness of your wedges while adding a savory kick.
Grab your sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then evenly distribute 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper across the honey-oil coated wedges.
Don’t dump all the seasoning in one spot – you’ll want to sprinkle it from about 12 inches above the baking sheet for even coverage. Make sure you’re seasoning both sides of the wedges for maximum flavor impact!
The salt will enhance the honey’s sweetness, while the pepper adds a subtle warmth that perfectly complements the caramelized exterior you’ll achieve during baking.
Step 4. Bake Until Golden Brown
The perfect golden-brown wedges await after just 25-30 minutes in your preheated 425°F oven!
Place your seasoned sweet potato wedges skin-side down on the baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. You’ll notice the honey starting to bubble and caramelize as they cook.
Halfway through baking, flip each wedge carefully using tongs. Watch for that beautiful caramelization developing on the edges – it’s your sign that magic is happening! If you notice the honey browning too quickly, simply tent some foil over the top.
Once your wedges are fork-tender with crispy, caramelized edges, they’re ready.
Let them rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. They’ll continue to crisp up while cooling, giving you that perfect contrast between crunchy exterior and soft interior.
Step 5. Rest Before Serving
After your sweet potato wedges emerge golden-brown from the oven, you’ll need to resist diving right in!
Let these crispy beauties rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheet – this crucial step allows them to develop their perfect texture.
During the resting period, the honey glaze will continue to set, creating that irresistible sticky-sweet exterior you’re looking for.
Place the baking sheet on a cooling rack and resist the urge to cover them – you don’t want trapped steam to soften that wonderfully crispy surface you’ve worked so hard to achieve!
While you wait, prepare your serving dish and any additional seasonings you’d like to add.
After 5 minutes, transfer your wedges to a serving plate, and they’re ready to enjoy while still delightfully warm.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a weeknight meal, these honey glazed sweet potato wedges deliver restaurant-quality results with minimal effort!
You’ll love how the honey creates a stunning caramelized exterior while keeping the inside perfectly tender.
These wedges are incredibly versatile – serve them alongside burgers, grilled chicken, or even as a standalone appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce.
Don’t be surprised when your guests ask for the recipe! The natural sweetness of the potatoes combined with the honey glaze creates an irresistible flavor that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.
Best of all, with just five simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can easily make these crowd-pleasing wedges any day of the week.
They’re proof that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most delicious!
