Ever crave that perfect combination of salty, savory, and just a *hint* of sweetness? These Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges are your answer to late-night cravings and picky-eater battles alike. Imagine tender sweet potato, perfectly crisp edges, and a blanket of garlicky, cheesy goodness that will have you reaching for more. Get ready to ditch the same old sides, because these wedges are about to become your new obsession!
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Wedges:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Garlic Parmesan Coating:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Essential Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional, but recommended)
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
Why These Wedges Are Simply the Best
Okay, let’s be real. There are a *lot* of sweet potato wedge recipes out there. But what makes these so special? It’s all about the balance. We’re not just throwing some garlic and parmesan on top of some sweet potatoes and hoping for the best. We’re building layers of flavor, from the initial spice blend that coats the wedges before they even hit the oven, to the rich and savory garlic parmesan topping that takes them over the top.
Plus, I’m going to share my secrets for getting perfectly crispy edges every single time. No more soggy wedges – promise!
Prep Like a Pro: Getting Ready to Roll
Before you even think about preheating the oven, let’s get everything organized. This is the key to a stress-free cooking experience.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat is crucial for achieving that crispy exterior we’re after.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This isn’t strictly necessary, but it makes cleanup a breeze and prevents the wedges from sticking. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
- Peel and cut your sweet potatoes. Aim for wedges that are about 1/2 inch thick. Consistency is key for even cooking.
- Melt your butter and mince your garlic. Have these ready to go for the garlic parmesan coating.
- Grate your Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is always best for flavor!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Getting Those Wedges Perfectly Seasoned:
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato wedges with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure the wedges are evenly coated. This is your foundation of flavor, so don’t skimp!
Baking to Crispy Perfection:
- Arrange the seasoned sweet potato wedges in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the wedges instead of roasting them. If necessary, use two baking sheets.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wedges are tender and slightly browned. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
The Grand Finale: Garlic Parmesan Coating:
- While the wedges are baking, prepare the garlic parmesan coating. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Once the wedges are done baking, remove them from the oven and immediately brush them with the garlic parmesan mixture. Make sure to get every nook and cranny!
- Return the wedges to the oven and bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until the parmesan is melted and slightly golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley (if using) and serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks for Wedge-tastic Success
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: I can’t stress this enough! Overcrowding leads to steamed, not crispy, wedges.
- Flip ’em! Flipping the wedges halfway through baking ensures even browning on all sides.
- Use a good quality Parmesan: The flavor of the Parmesan cheese will really shine through, so opt for a good quality block that you grate yourself.
- Adjust the seasonings to your liking: Feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick!
- For extra crispy wedges: Soak the sweet potato wedges in cold water for 30 minutes before seasoning and baking. This helps to remove excess starch and promotes crispness. Make sure to pat them thoroughly dry before tossing them with oil and spices.
Variations to Spice Things Up
Want to put your own spin on these Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges? Here are a few ideas:
- Spicy Wedges: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice blend for a little heat.
- Herbaceous Wedges: Toss the wedges with fresh rosemary or thyme before baking.
- Vegan Wedges: Use vegan parmesan cheese and a plant-based butter substitute.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with other hard cheeses like Asiago or Pecorino Romano.
Serving Suggestions: More Than Just a Side Dish
These wedges are incredibly versatile and can be served in so many ways! Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
- As a side dish: They’re the perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, steak, or fish.
- As a snack: Enjoy them on their own with a dipping sauce like ranch, aioli, or even a little ketchup.
- In a bowl: Top them with your favorite bowl toppings like black beans, corn, salsa, and avocado.
- With burgers: Ditch the fries and serve these wedges alongside your favorite burger.
Level Up Your Sweet Potato Game!
If you’re a sweet potato lover like me, you’re always looking for new and exciting ways to enjoy this nutritious and delicious vegetable. Here are a few other sweet potato recipes that I think you’ll absolutely love:
- For a sweet and savory treat, check out these Honey Feta Sweet Potato Rounds.
- Craving more garlic parmesan goodness? You’ll adore these Garlic Parmesan Carrots!
- If you’re in the mood for something comforting and cozy, try these Cinnamon Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
- For a complete and satisfying meal, these Honey Garlic Sausage Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a must-try.
- Need a quick and easy snack? These Roasted Sweet Potato Bites are perfect.
- And for a delicious and healthy breakfast, you can’t beat these Sweet Potato Hash Browns.
How to Store Leftovers (If There Are Any!)
If you happen to have any leftover Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges (which is a big “if,” trust me!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in an air fryer for a crispier result.
Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges: The Recipe Card
Ready to print out the recipe and add it to your collection? Here you go!
These Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges are the perfect balance of savory and sweet, crispy and tender. Once you try them, you’ll never go back to plain old fries again! So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience sweet potato perfection!
What makes these Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges better than other recipes?
The recipe focuses on building layers of flavor, starting with a spice blend before baking and finishing with a rich garlic parmesan topping. The recipe also provides tips for achieving perfectly crispy edges.
How do I get crispy edges on my sweet potato wedges?
The recipe recommends preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C), avoiding overcrowding the pan, flipping the wedges halfway through baking, and soaking the sweet potato wedges in cold water for 30 minutes before seasoning and baking.
What are some variations I can make to the Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges?
You can add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for spicy wedges, toss with fresh rosemary or thyme for herbaceous wedges, use vegan parmesan cheese and plant-based butter for vegan wedges, or experiment with other hard cheeses like Asiago or Pecorino Romano.
How should I store leftover sweet potato wedges?
Store leftover wedges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through, or use an air fryer for a crispier result.
Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato wedges with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the seasoned sweet potato wedges in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wedges are tender and slightly browned.
- While the wedges are baking, prepare the garlic parmesan coating. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Once the wedges are done baking, remove them from the oven and immediately brush them with the garlic parmesan mixture.
- Return the wedges to the oven and bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until the parmesan is melted and slightly golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley (if using) and serve immediately.
