Sweet potatoes are loved by many thanks to their naturally sweet aroma, soft texture, and rich, nutty flavor. They are also highly nutritious, providing a wide range of essential nutrients such as protein, healthy unsaturated fatty acids, beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, and other beneficial minerals. Because of their versatility, sweet potatoes can be prepared in many different ways, including boiling, steaming, baking, frying, roasting, making desserts, or cooking sweet soups. Among these methods, roasted sweet potatoes stand out as especially appealing due to their intense aroma and naturally concentrated sweetness, which is far more pronounced than with boiling or steaming.

Although roasted sweet potatoes are incredibly tempting, not everyone knows how to roast them properly so that they become soft, moist, and release plenty of natural syrup without drying out. In fact, achieving perfectly roasted sweet potatoes that are even better than store-bought ones requires a few simple but important tips that you should not overlook.

Choose the Right Type of Sweet Potato

There are many different varieties of sweet potatoes, but not all of them are suitable for roasting. Only honey sweet potatoes (often referred to as syrup-producing sweet potatoes) can release natural syrup when roasted. Other varieties may still be edible when roasted, but they tend to be drier and lack the rich sweetness and glossy syrup. Compared to boiling, roasting honey sweet potatoes brings out a deeper flavor and a softer, more caramelized texture.

Select Medium-Sized Sweet Potatoes

When roasting sweet potatoes at home, people usually use an oven or an air fryer. It is not advisable to choose very large sweet potatoes, as they take longer to cook and often cook unevenly. The outside may become overcooked while the inside remains undercooked, making it difficult for the syrup to form. Ideally, you should choose sweet potatoes weighing around 200–350 grams each. Medium-sized sweet potatoes cook more evenly, save time, and produce better results overall.

Let the Sweet Potatoes Dry Slightly

Freshly purchased sweet potatoes should not be roasted immediately. Instead, place them in a cool, well-ventilated area for about 2–3 days to allow excess moisture inside the tubers to evaporate slightly and the skin to firm up. This drying process helps concentrate the natural sugars, making the sweet potatoes taste sweeter and release more syrup during roasting.

Choosing the right variety of sweet potato is essential if you want them to release syrup when roasted.

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes Using an Air Fryer

After letting the sweet potatoes sit in a ventilated place for 2–3 days, wash them thoroughly. If the sweet potatoes are already slightly dried, you can wash and roast them immediately. Allowing them to dry beforehand helps reduce moisture and enhances their natural sweetness.

Place the clean sweet potatoes into the air fryer and roast them at 200°C (392°F) for about 40 minutes. After 20 minutes, open the air fryer and turn the sweet potatoes over so they cook evenly on all sides. If you are using a conventional oven, you can follow the same method. Depending on the power of your appliance, you may need to adjust the temperature or cooking time accordingly.

Once the roasting time is complete, do not remove the sweet potatoes right away. Let them rest inside the air fryer or oven for about 2 more minutes. This resting step allows the heat to distribute evenly, helps the syrup flow out, and gives the sweet potatoes a softer, stickier, and more satisfying texture.

A Tip for Boiled Sweet Potatoes with a Roasted Aroma

If you prefer boiled sweet potatoes but still want a fragrant flavor similar to roasted ones, there is a simple trick. After the sweet potatoes are fully boiled, drain all the water from the pot. Place the pot back on the stove over low to medium heat until the sweet potatoes dry out slightly and the skin becomes lightly charred. This process enhances the aroma and creates a more appealing flavor, making boiled sweet potatoes taste closer to roasted ones.