Looking for an easy veggie side with very little prep, but lots of taste? Try this baked Japanese sweet potato recipe! Sweet potatoes are cooked until tender and topped with a super flavourful infused butter. Seriously good!
Hi friends!
You probably know I love to share different veggie recipes here on Girl Heart Food, like this kohlrabi stir-fry recipe, and today’s recipe is no exception!
When we came across Japanese sweet potato a little while back, I grabbed some right away.
Upon cooking and enjoying, I wondered where this veggie was all my life.
Dramatic, I know, but this sweet potato is seriously yummy.
Now, it’s a regular veggie in our pantry. Once you try it, I’m sure it will be for you too!
What Is Japanese Sweet Potato?
Japanese sweet potatoes or Japanese yams are purple on the outside with a golden hue inside (when baked).
They’re a little sweeter than a regular sweet potato and are seriously delicious!
You can prepare Japanese sweet potatoes much like you would a regular sweet potato. So, chances are, if you enjoy a regular sweet potato you’re gonna enjoy these too!
How To Prepare and Cook the Potatoes
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
Like any baked potato recipe, ensure that your potatoes are scrubbed clean and any dirt/debris and odd bits are removed before baking.
Place potatoes onto a parchment paper-lined sheet pan (if you want easier cleanup). Then, prick some holes in each sweet potato (to help with cooking). Into the oven they go!
Potatoes are done when they’re tender and when a knife easily goes through the centre of the potato when inserted.
Tip: Potatoes can vary in size. Therefore, cook time will vary. Simply bake until they are cooked through. It helps to have potatoes that are roughly the same size.
Once potatoes are ready (and easy to handle), cut in half lengthwise. Isn’t that interior colour beautiful?
Can I Eat Sweet Potato Skin?
Absolutely!
As mentioned above, before baking just ensure that the potatoes are scrubbed clean and any dirt/debris and odd bits are removed.
What Is Compound Butter?
Of course, you can enjoy these sweet potatoes as they are. However, I like to take things up a notch with compound butter.
Compound butter is simply butter that has been infused with other flavours — in this case, cilantro, green onion, and a touch of cayenne pepper (essentially, a flavoured butter).
To make flavoured butter, start with softened butter (store-bought or make your own butter) and blend in your other ingredients. You can use a little food processor for this or just a spoon — whatever you have on hand or prefer, really!
If you don’t want to mess around with making compound butter, no worries! Just top this sweet potato with regular butter (and maybe a pinch of salt) and you’re good to go!
Garnishes and Serving Suggestions
Besides the flavoured butter, other delicious garnish options are sesame seeds, sliced chili pepper and hot sauce.
I could legit enjoy this baked Japanese sweet potato as is for lunch, but if you want to make things more substantial for dinner, enjoy with:
- Side salad
- Bowl of soup, like spicy red lentil kale soup
- Sandwich, like this veggie sandwich
- Crispy fried fish burger
- Baked arctic char with honey soy marinade
More Root Vegetable Recipes
If you make this Japanese sweet potato recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Baked Japanese Sweet Potato With Flavoured Butter
Ingredients
- 4 Japanese sweet potatoes, each about 10 to 12 ounces or about 2.5 pounds in total
Flavoured Butter
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1.5 tablespoons sliced green onion
- 1.5 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Garnish Ideas (optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Chili pepper, sliced
- Hot sauce
Instructions
Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and set aside.
- Meanwhile, scrub the potatoes clean, then prick them all over with a knife to make some holes. Place them onto the prepared sheet pan.
- Bake the potatoes for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender when prodded all the way through the centre with a knife.Note: Cook time may vary, depending on the size of your potatoes. For the size I used, cook time was about 50 minutes.
- Carefully remove potatoes from the sheet pan and cut in half (lengthwise) when cool enough to handle. Serve with the flavoured butter and garnish to taste with any of the other garnish ideas (if desired). Enjoy!
Flavoured Butter
- In a bowl, combine butter, salt, green onion and cilantro, mixing well. Serve over baked potato.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
David @ Spiced
Compound butter is a secret weapon when it comes to delicious recipes! I love the green onion + cilantro version here. Plus, butter makes everything better…especially baked potatoes. I’ve never seen Japanese sweet potatoes, but I’ll have to keep an eye out for ’em now! Looks delicious, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right??! Thanks David! Hope you get a chance to try ’em out soon!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
I love this variety of sweet potato – what a delicious way of serving it, Dawn! Comfort food for sure.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks Alexandra 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I love sweet potatoes, although I’ve never tried this variety. What a great side dish or even a light dinner! Love the compound butter you’ve added!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kathy 🙂
Valentina
I’ve continued to have these house since I discovered them, too. This is a gorgeous recipe — such a perfect blend of flavors! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Valentina!
Leanne
I’ve never had a Japanese sweet potato but we love our sides, so I’ll have to give this one a try. I don’t eat a lot of butter but I can guarantee my husband would love your infused butter recipe and would probably slather it on everything! Happy weekend Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Leanne! It’s a delicious one for sure. Hope you had a great weekend!