Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges

These Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges are phenomenal. They come jam-packed with bold flavor and starts off as crispy baked sweet potato wedges which are generously dressed in a tasty spicy Honey Chili sauce. The perfect year-round appetizer or a side dish option for any occasion. Vegan option available.

OK, so this recipe is a MUST share. When I made it, I immediately grabbed a few of these wedges straight from the skillet as a way to taste the outcome and it was SUPER DELISH! Obviously, I didn't need a few to test it out, but they're that good and I couldn't help myself. Haha.

If you've been an avid reader of Orchids + Sweet Tea, then you know how much I love sharing Sweet Potato recipes in general and these Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges are no exception.

Honestly, I've been a Sweet Potato lover for such a LONG time. When it came to specifics----let's say, pie; I always enjoy Sweet Potato Pie more than Pumpkin Pie. There's just something about sweet potatoes (or yams as we call it down South) that I can't resist.

When it comes to a side dish, these wedges are definitely in my top fave along with this Vegan Skillet Sweet Potato Casserole which I have to include in every meal during Thanksgiving. Am I the only one?

Before we dig into this recipe fully, can we talk about the sauce for a moment? Usually, I enjoy a nice balance of flavor and sometimes that means putting two polar opposites together to form an awesome taste buds experience.

If you're into Asian flavors then this Sweet + Spicy sauce will be a must try kind of experience. Even if you aren't, I recommend giving this one a try.

Firstly, as you may have already guessed---I'm a girl who loves flavor (blame the Southern in me!) so seasoning is a MUST! That means that this sauce doesn't just have a sweet and spicy flavor, but these wedges are well seasoned also.

Granted, you can always go 'light' on the seasoning if it isn't your thing, but if you don't have a preference, then I do hope that you try these 'as is'.

How to Make Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges

These Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges are made with a crispy sweet potato wedges based and topped with a deliciously sweet + spicy sauce. Start by making wedges, then make the simply honey chili sauce. Put everything together into one skillet, toss a few times, and wallah.

Ingredients for Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges

Aside from getting your sweet potato wedges nice and crispy in the oven, you’ll want to be sure to season the potatoes very well. Here’s what you need these Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges:

• Sweet potatoes. You can also use regular russet or Yukon potatoes for a more savory taste.
• Olive oil. You can also use Grapeseed oil or sesame oil.
• Sea salt. Himalayan pink salt or kosher salt also works.
• Black pepper.
• Dried parsley, oregano. For some herby flavor. You can also use dried cilantro, basil, or thyme.
• Garlic powder. This is easier to distribute evenly over the potatoes, plus it won’t burn easily like fresh garlic. 
• Smoked paprika. For some smokiness and spice. 
• Chili powder. Adds a nice smoky, mild spicy flavor.
• Butter. I recommend unsalted.
• Honey. I use organic and raw.
• Soy sauce. I use low-sodium. For gluten-free, use tamari. 
• Apple cider vinegar. Rice vinegar also works.
• Red pepper flakes. This helps to kick off the spicy side of things. Feel free to reduce the amount you use.

Great Tips for Super Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

These are my top tips to make sure your Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges are as crisp as possible:

• Cut the sweet potatoes to equal sizes as much as possible. This way, they cook at the same rate. In this case, you’ll be cutting them rather large.
• Soak the potatoes for at least 20 minutes in cool water. This removes excess starch on the outside of the potatoes that prevent them from crisping up. 
• Let the potatoes dry for at least 30 minutes. moisture is the enemy of crispiness! For good measure, blot them dry with a towel as well. 
• Don’t be afraid to season well!
• Let the oven come fully to temperature before you add the fries to the oven. It needs to be a nice and hot environment.
• Spread the sweet potato pieces out well on the baking sheet lined with wire rack to let the hot air circulate around each individual fry. 

Can I Air-Fry These Sweet Potato Wedges?

I made these Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges originally in the oven, but this recipe will also work in your air fryer.

Cooking with an air fryer is fast and fairly easy and they tend to get hotter and have better air circulation than your oven, so the wedges might need a slightly shorter cook time.

If air frying, check on the wedges every 10 minutes to shake the sweet potatoes so they do not stick. After 30 mins, check for doneness every few minutes. Both the oven and the air fryer make excellent crispy sweet potato wedges!

How to Store + Make Ahead these Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges

Place any leftover ingredients in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. All ingredients can be made ahead and individually stored as meal prep (up to 2 days prior) and assembled when ready to serve. Be sure to store seasoning mixture in a nicely sealed zip loc bag, kept at room temp. 

Can I Make these Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges Vegan?

Absolutely! Firstly, you can substitute the honey with pure maple syrup or Agave. Secondly, ensure that the butter is vegan butter and the soy sauce is vegan-friendly----which there is a nice 'No Soy' soy sauce that I enjoy using for vegan dishes.

Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Oh and since Sweet Potatoes are the topic of conversation when it comes to the recipe, DID YOU KNOW that they are really great at:

• Improving digestion

They actually contain more fiber than regular potatoes! Who knew? Plus, they are good sources of magnesium, which is what helps aid them in being a great facilitator in digestion.

• Boost Your Immune System

Since they are rich in beta-carotone (a major antioxidant), they are awesome at defending your body from a wide variety of issues. In addition, they contain other great antioxidants which include: Vitamin C and B-complex, iron, and phosphorous.

• Helps to treat Stomach Ulcers

Yes, that’s right! Sweet Potatoes are great at soothing the stomach and intestines. The previous listed vitamins that help to boost your immune system also are great at curing stomach ulcers.

Plus, the roughage in sweet potatoes help to combat constipation and acid formation, which both help to reduce the chances of ulcers.

• Other Benefits: 

They help to treat inflammations, promote weight gain, treat bronchitis,  reduce arthritis pain, and more.

How to Serve Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges

You can eat these Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges hot out of the skillet once tossed in the sauce, dipped in your favorite creamy sauce if that's your thing! I like ranch, dairy-free creamy lime dressing, or my creamy avocado dressing. 

You can also enjoy them as a side dish to so many foods like:

• Sandwiches
• Burgers
• Chicken
• Seafood
• Grilled cheese
• As a base for nachos
• and more.

Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges

August 11, 2022 •

By Shanika

5 from 15 votes

These Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges are phenomenal. They come jam-packed with bold flavor and starts off as crispy baked sweet potato wedges which are generously dressed in a tasty spicy Honey Chili sauce. The perfect year-round appetizer or a side dish option for any occasion. Vegan option available.

Prep Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 2 hours hrs

Serves: 4 Sevings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

SWEET POTATO WEDGES:

• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 3-4 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsps garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

SPICY HONEY CHILI SAUCE:

• 2 Tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 cup raw honey (See Notes!)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tbsps soy sauce, low-sodium
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (Feel free to reduce the amount of pepper flakes to your preference)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

GARNISH:

• Sesame seeds, optional

Instructions

PREP + SOAK SWEET POTATOES:

• Rinse and pat dry each sweet potato and cut lengthways into halves and then in halves lengthways again and then one last time----this should create a medium-thick wedge-like shape. You should have about 6-8 pieces of wedges when done for each potato. Repeat until all sweet potatoes are cut.
• In a bowl, add cold water until ¾ filled along with a few ice cubes to keep things cold. Add cut sweet potatoes into bowl and let soak for 20 minutes.
• Once soak time is complete, drain sweet potatoes and pat dry thoroughly before adding them unto a flat surface (i.e. countertop, cutting board, etc.) lined with paper towels for them to "dry" out for a bit (about 30-minutes to 1 hour). NOTE: This process helps them to be extra crispy before being added to the sauce.

MAKE THE SWEET POTATO WEDGES:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and add a wire rack on top.
• Add the dry cut slices of sweet potatoes into a large bowl along with the olive oil followed by the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and parsley---mixing everything together with your hands until sweet potatoes are fully coated.
• Transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet (with the wire rack) and bake for 35-40 minutes or until wedges are golden and crispy. NOTE: Test the doneness of sweet potatoes by using a fork to insert into the centers. If it goes through easily, they are done.

MAKE THE SPICY HONEY CHILI SAUCE:

• In a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter and let it melt. Next, add the honey, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, chili powder, stirring everything together until combined and the sauce thickens and begins to bubble. Add in the baked sweet potato wedges and carefully toss until fully coated. Remove from heat. NOTE: Because sweet potatoes are soft even when crisp, be sure to take carefully toss them in the sauce while cooking.
• Sprinkle coated sweet potato wedges with sesame seeds, if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Place any leftover ingredients in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• MAKE AHEAD: All ingredients can be made and individually stored as meal prep (up to 2 days prior) and assembled when ready to serve. Be sure to store seasoning mixture in a nicely sealed zip loc bag, kept at room temp. 
• HONEY: You can always substitute honey with maple syrup or Agave.
• VEGAN OPTION: Absolutely! Firstly, you can substitute the honey with pure maple syrup or Agave. Secondly, ensure that the butter is vegan butter and the soy sauce is vegan-friendly----which there is a nice 'No Soy' soy sauce that I enjoy using for vegan dishes.

 

 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 730kcal | Carbohydrates: 145g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 1321mg | Potassium: 1371mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 84g | Vitamin A: 50026IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 4mg

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Spicy Honey Sweet Potato Wedges

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