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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Published: May 13, 2025 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes Without Oil (Fast, Easy, & No-Fuss Method)

Jump to Recipe
Close up front view of finished sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.
Front view of finished potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.
Overhead view of roasted potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.
Close up view of finished potatoes on sheet pan on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of roasted sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan on pin with text overlay.
Four process photos to make roasted sweet potatoes on pin with text overlay.
Close up front view of finished sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.

Looking for the fastest way to cook sweet potatoes? These simple roasted sweet potatoes are ready in just 30 minutes. No oil, no seasoning, just pure, naturally sweet flavor. Great for meal prep, sides, or tossing into bowls and salads all week long.

Before You Roast, Read This!

💬 The Vibe: Soft, roasted sweet potatoes with golden edges and caramelized centers.

🔑 What You Gotta Know: Place the cut side down on parchment paper for that roasted edge.

🍴 Best Bite Alert: Scoop it straight from the skin with a fork and top with butter and cinnamon, or mash for quick sweet potato bowls.

Close up front view of finished sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • No peeling, chopping, or oil needed!
  • Naturally sweet and fork-tender.
  • Perfect for meal prep.
  • Versatile: use in bowls, soups, or mash.
  • Easy cleanup with parchment paper.

Ingredients You'll Need

Overhead view of whole sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.
  • Sweet Potatoes – Medium to large size works best. Choose firm, evenly shaped potatoes for even roasting.
  • Parchment Paper – Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Baking Sheet – Use a large sheet pan to give the potatoes room to roast (not steam).
  • That’s it. No oil, salt, or extra seasonings required, though you can always add them post-roast if you’d like.

👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.

How to Make the Fastest Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Cut them in half lengthwise.

Place cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Overhead view of potatoes cut in half on parchment lined sheet pan.

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until fork-tender and the edges are golden.

Overhead view of finished potatoes on sheet pan.

Cool slightly before serving or storing. Enjoy!

Overhead view of potatoes cut side up on parchment lined sheet pan.

Recipe Tips & Variations

  • For crispier edges, roast a few extra minutes until the bottoms caramelize.
  • Want to add flavor? Drizzle with maple syrup, butter, or sprinkle with cinnamon after roasting.
  • Use leftovers to make sweet potato mash, soup, tacos, or dog treats!

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Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Microwave, roast briefly, or enjoy cold.

Freeze: Not recommended unless mashed. Whole roasted potatoes don’t thaw well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes first?

Nope! Leave the skin on, they help hold everything together and are totally edible.

Can I add seasoning or oil?

Yes! Add oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, or your favorite spice mix before roasting if you prefer more flavor.

Can I cube the sweet potatoes instead?

Absolutely, just reduce roasting time to about 20–25 minutes and toss halfway through.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat or enjoy cold.

Close up view of finished potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.

More Sweet Potato Recipes You'll Love:

  • Candied Yams
  • Sweet Potato Pound Cake
  • Sweet Potato Miso Soup
  • Easy Sweet Potato Pie
  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Chorizo and Sweet Potato Enchiladas
  • Sweet Potato Dumplings
  • Sweet Potato Cornbread
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    Southern Cracklin Cornbread (Cast Iron Recipe)
  • Close up overhead view of finished red onions in glass jar.
    Quick Pickled Red Onions (Easy 4-Ingredient Recipe)
  • Overhead view of finished broccoli on parchment lined sheet pan.
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  • Overhead view of fried potatoes topped with fresh parsley in white bowl on black tile surface by a fork.
    Southern Home Fried Potatoes & Onions (Crispy Skillet Potatoes)

Have questions or love this method? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear how you use your roasted sweet potatoes!

📖 Recipe

Close up front view of finished sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.

Fast & Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

LaKita Anderson
Learn how to roast sweet potatoes without oil for a naturally sweet, soft, and easy side dish. Just 1 ingredient and no cleanup, perfect for weekly meal prep!
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 194 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Sheet Pan
  • parchment paper or nonstick liner

Ingredients
  

  • large sheet pan
  • parchment paper
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper.
  • Prepare the sweet potatoes by cleaning the skin (outside) and cutting them in half or quarters. Continue the process with the rest of the potatoes.
  • Place the pieces/halves on the prepared baking sheet flesh (inside) side down.
  • Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until fork tender.
  • Carefully remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite additions or scoop out the center to use in another recipe. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Serve alongside roasted chicken or salmon.
  • Toss into grain bowls or add to salads.
  • Scoop out and mash with butter + cinnamon.
  • Use in tacos or breakfast hash.
  • Make sweet potato soup or baby food.
Calories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 124mgPotassium: 762mgFiber: 7gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 32063IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword how to roast sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 02/19/2019. Updated 06/13/2022 & 05/13/2025.

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Comments

    5 from 11 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Lauren Michael Harris says

    June 20, 2022 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    My favorite way to eat sweet potatoes! Roasted them is so simple and easy and really lets the flavor shine - great recipe!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 22, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you Lauren, love roasting sweet potatoes!

      Reply
  2. Jacqueline Debono says

    June 19, 2022 at 4:54 pm

    5 stars
    Such a great idea! I love making sweet potato soup but usually just cube and boil the sweet potato. Roasted actually gives them more flavour!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 22, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Thank you Jacqueline, roasting gives them such rich flavor!

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    June 19, 2022 at 9:37 am

    5 stars
    These came out so good! The potato was nice and soft with crisp edges. Super simple too!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 22, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Thank you so much Amanda, so simple!

      Reply
  4. Tristin says

    June 18, 2022 at 11:35 pm

    5 stars
    Such a great post! I saved so much time cutting them in half rather than trying to roast them whole.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 22, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      Thank you Tristin, cutting them in half makes things so much easier!

      Reply
  5. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    June 18, 2022 at 8:06 pm

    5 stars
    So simple yet so packed with flavor! Love how you cut them in half prior to baking!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 22, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      Thank you Lori! Cutting them in half makes baking and serving so much easier.

      Reply
  6. Cathleen says

    June 17, 2022 at 11:44 am

    5 stars
    I always have sweet potatoes in the house, so this is so perfect for me!! Making this as soon as the weather allows me to turn on the oven again, haha

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 17, 2022 at 7:53 pm

      Thank you Cathleen and I completely understand waiting to turn on the oven 😉

      Reply
  7. Kathryn says

    June 17, 2022 at 10:58 am

    5 stars
    I love how easy this sweet potato recipe is. It's simple and the sweet potatoes come out perfect every time!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 17, 2022 at 7:52 pm

      Thank you Kathryn!

      Reply
  8. Linda says

    June 15, 2022 at 3:42 pm

    5 stars
    I usually bake my sweet potatoes whole in the oven but this method saved me a ton of time. Love how they come out just slightly caramelized on the cut side.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 15, 2022 at 5:31 pm

      Thank you Linda, it definitely saves time!

      Reply
  9. Peter says

    June 15, 2022 at 10:23 am

    5 stars
    So tasty - we roasted them and made a sweet potato mash, with extra butter!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 15, 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you Peter, that sounds perfect!

      Reply
  10. Colleen says

    June 14, 2022 at 3:08 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for pointing out all the great ways to use roasted sweet potatoes! I always tend to think of them as strictly a side dish.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 15, 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you Colleen, happy to help!

      Reply
  11. Jen says

    September 08, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    Oh, can't wait to try this! I love having sweet potatoes on hand, and have never thought of preparing the. This way!
    I like to add them to smoothies - some cinnamon and any other spice you like, yogurt/almond millk/coconut water and ice, maybe a banana.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 11, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      Thank you Jen! That sounds like the perfect smoothie 🙂

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

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