Roasted Sweet Potato with Ancho Chili: The Only Way You’ll Ever Want to Eat Sweet Potatoes Again

So… You Think You Know Sweet Potatoes?

Let me guess. You’ve probably thrown a sweet potato in the oven, maybe drizzled a little olive oil, and hoped for the best. Meh. That’s cute. But what if I told you there’s a way to elevate these orange beauties to a whole new level of crispy, flavor-blasted, mouth-melting magic?

Welcome to your new obsession: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Ancho Chili.

We’re not talkin’ boring baked spuds. Nope. We’re diving headfirst into the world of crispy roasted sweet potatoes that are smoky, spicy, just a lil’ sweet, and straight-up addictive. Plus, we’ll tangle them up with some colorful veggie friends – think Brussels sprouts, carrots, maybe even air fryer magic. Get ready.

Why You’ll Be Dreamin’ About These Sweet Potatoes

Here’s the thing. Sweet potatoes are naturally creamy, a little sugary, and packed with nutrients like fiber, potassium, and vitamin A. But throw some ancho chili powder on them, roast ‘em until the edges go dark and crispy, and suddenly you’ve got this rich, smoky kick that makes you wanna eat them by the panful.

And let’s be real, nobody wants to eat soggy sweet potatoes. You want that golden brown crisp, like chips with benefits.

The Magic Ingredient: What Even Is Ancho Chili?

If ancho chili isn’t in your spice rack yet, fix that now. It’s a dried poblano pepper, not too spicy but rich with earthy, raisin-like depth. Think mild heat meets BBQ vibes.

Why it works: Sweet potatoes are, well, sweet. Ancho adds contrast with its smoky bite and complexity. Sprinkle it generously and thank us later.

Best-Ever Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe (With That Ancho Twist)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Stars:

• Sweet potatoes (go for firm, orange-fleshed ones)
• Olive oil
• Ancho chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper
• Optional: smoked paprika for that firewood vibe

Step-By-Step Magic

Chop the sweet potatoes into chunks or wedges. Don’t go tiny – they’ll burn too fast.

Toss them in a bowl with olive oil, ancho chili, garlic powder, salt, pepper. Coat ‘em like you mean it.

Spread them out on a baking sheet. No crowding. Sweet potatoes need their personal space if you want crisp.

Roast at 425°F until the edges caramelize and you’re lowkey drooling. Usually takes around 35 to 45 minutes, with a flip halfway.

Pro Tip: Want that extra crisp? Let them cool a few mins before eating. That’s when the skin tightens and the flavor explodes.

Want Veggie Power? Toss In Some Friends

Mix it up with more roasted goodness:

Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

These two are BFFs in the oven. The sprouts get crispy and nutty, the sweet potatoes caramelize, and the ancho chili just ties it all together.

Just add halved Brussels to your tray, coat with oil and season the same way. Roast together and you’ve got a side dish that steals the spotlight.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

Carrots bring a similar sweetness but firmer texture. Cut them the same size as the potatoes so they cook evenly. Bonus points if you throw in red onions and thyme.

Air Fryer Hack: Roasted Sweet Potatoes Air Fryer Style

No oven? No problem.

Here’s how to air fry them crispy AF:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
• Cut sweet potatoes small but thick
• Toss in olive oil, ancho chili, garlic powder
• Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shake halfway

Crispy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.

Nutritional Table: What’s Actually In These Beauties?

Let’s Talk Flavor Combos That Pop

Want something savory and sweet? Add a drizzle of maple syrup before roasting.

Craving heat? Mix ancho with cayenne or chipotle.

Going fancy? Crumble goat cheese or feta on top before serving. That tang + sweet + spice = 🤯

Common Mistakes to Dodge

• Overcrowding the tray. You’ll get mush instead of crisp.
• Skipping the flip. Flip halfway for even browning.
• Not seasoning enough. Sweet potatoes soak up flavor, so be generous.

What To Serve With Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Ancho Chili

Okay, so you’ve got this tray of crispy, golden roasted sweet potatoes with that smoky ancho chili magic. Now the big question: what the heck do you serve them with?

Here’s some delicious inspo to turn this side dish into a full-blown meal:

• Grilled chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken – juicy, savory, and plays real nice with the sweetness and heat.
• Seared salmon or spicy shrimp – seafood loves that smoky backdrop, and it’s a total weeknight win.
• Roasted brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes combo – double the veg, double the crispy love.
• Roasted sweet potatoes and carrots – toss those carrots in the same seasoning mix for a colorful, sweet-savory vibe.
• A fried egg on top – don’t knock it till you try it. The runny yolk + crispy sweet potatoes? Insane.
• Grain bowls – quinoa or farro, some greens, a drizzle of tahini or yogurt sauce, and boom. Plant-based heaven.

These sweet potatoes seriously go with anything – meat, fish, veggies, or all by themselves when you’re too lazy to cook anything else (no judgment).

More Vegetable Side Dishes You’ll Love

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

Nopalitos Salad (Cactus Salad)

Frijoles de la Olla (Authentic Mexican Pinto Beans)

FAQs: You Asked, We Roasted

Can I prep these ahead of time?
Totally. Just roast and reheat in the oven or air fryer for a few mins before serving.

Is this recipe vegan and gluten-free?
Yup. 100%.

Can I use other chili powders?
Sure. Chipotle, smoked paprika, or cayenne all bring something different, but ancho’s that sweet spot of smoky-mild perfection.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat for max crisp.

Conclusion: You’re Never Going Back

So now that you’ve seen the light of roasted sweet potatoes with ancho chili, you’re not gonna settle for basic again. Whether you roast them solo, buddy them up with Brussels and carrots, or toss ‘em in the air fryer while bingeing your latest show – these spuds hit different.

You’ve unlocked next-level veggie game. And your taste buds? They’re shook.

Contact Us via the Web

Got questions or wanna share your masterpiece? Contact us via the web. We’d love to see your crispy sweet potato creations!

Roasted Sweet Potato with Ancho Chili

Say goodbye to boring side dishes. This crispy roasted sweet potato recipe packs bold flavor with a smoky kick of ancho chili. Tossed in olive oil and simple spices, these sweet potatoes roast to golden perfection — crispy on the outside, creamy inside. You can even take it up a notch by pairing them with roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, sweet roasted carrots, or go quick and crispy using the air fryer method.

Perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday spreads, or veggie-powered meal prep. Healthy, gluten-free, and totally addictive — this is the only roasted sweet potato recipe you’ll ever need.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula or tongs

Ingredients

  

• 3 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional add-ins:

• 1 cup Brussels sprouts halved
• 1 cup carrots sliced
• Crumbled feta or goat cheese for serving

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.
• Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. If adding Brussels sprouts or carrots, mix them in now.
• Roast for 35 to 45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the potatoes are crispy on the edges and tender inside.
• Let cool slightly before serving. Top with crumbled cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

–Air Fryer Method: Toss potatoes the same way, then air fry at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through.

– Don’t crowd the tray—space = crispiness.

– Use parchment for easier cleanup and even browning.

Keyword crispy roasted sweet potatoes, mexican side dishes, roasted sweet potatoes air fryer, vegetable side dishes