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!

Two halves of a baked Japanese sweet potato with herb butter, sesame seeds & chili pepper.

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!

Four uncooked and unpeeled Japanese sweet potatoes.

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!

Pricking a Japanese sweet potato with a knife before baking.

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.

Two baked Japanese sweet potatoes on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan.

Once potatoes are ready (and easy to handle), cut in half lengthwise. Isn’t that interior colour beautiful?

Two halves of a baked Japanese sweet potato.

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.

Two halves of a cooked sweet potato with flavoured butter, sesame seeds & hot sauce.

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!

Two plates, each with two halves of a cooked sweet potato & compound butter.

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!