Sweet & Spicy Cocoa Smashed Sweet Potatoes
This Sweet and Spicy Smashed Sweet Potato Recipe has an unexpected flavor in the mix- chocolate!
Yup, chocolate sweet potatoes.
It doesn’t sound like it should work, but after adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to a chilli recipe last month and eating at the Chocolate Emporium at Universal Studios Florida, I am so excited to experiment more with cocoa in savoury dishes.
Unsweetened cocoa adds an earthy sweetness to savoury dishes. It’s not sweet – as anyone who’s ever tasted pure cocoa powder can tell you. But because it pairs well with sweet things (like sugar to make hot chocolate) it plays with sweet potatoes beautifully.
I used a pre-made spice rub for this recipe that contains cocoa, sea salt, a touch of brown sugar, garlic, onion, and smoked paprika. If you decide to forego the spice mix, be sure to experiment a bit with your seasoning – and definitely don’t leave out the paprika.
To balance out the dish we add a soft, crumbly cheese – I always have queso fresco in the house but feta works great, too, some chopped red onions, and parsley. I also love using the combination of butter and olive oil whenever possible.
These sweet & spicy cocoa smashed sweet potatoes make a fun and unexpected side dish – or they’d make a great light lunch option.
Ingredients for Sweet & Spicy Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon POD & BEAN™ SWEET & SPICY COCOA RUB
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons red onion, diced fine
- 2 Tablespoons feta or Cotija cheese, crumbled
Tip: if you can’t find this spice blend, be sure to experiment with your seasoning – a blend of cocoa, sea salt, a touch of brown sugar, garlic, onion, and smoked paprika is recommended.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Large stockpot
- Kitchen knife <– these are the kind I use at home
- Measuring spoons
- Herb scissors
- Cookie tray
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Smashed Potatoes
Preheat oven to 400° F.
Cut the ends off the sweet potatoes and then cut in half.
Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water.
Bring to the boil; cook, covered for 20 -25 minutes or until just fork-tender.
Drain well.
Lightly grease a large baking sheet with non-stick spray or oil.
Evenly space sweet potatoes on sheet tray and use the bottom of a measuring cup or drinking glass to gently flatten each piece. Pressing too hard will alter the shape and will mash the potatoes.
Mix together the butter, POD & BEAN™ SWEET & SPICY COCOA RUB, garlic, and parsley.
Pour the mixture over each sweet potato.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper and lightly drizzle with olive oil.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are golden and crispy.
Remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese and diced red onions.
Serve immediately.
This recipe was shared with me from THE COCOA EXHANGE™ POD & BEAN™. (Not a sponsored post)
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Sweet & Spicy Cocoa Smashed Sweet Potatoes
This Sweet and Spicy Smashed Sweet Potato Recipe has an unexpected flavor in the mix- chocolate! A savoury chocolate recipe inspired by the Chocolate Emporium at Universal Studios Florida
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon POD & BEAN™ SWEET & SPICY COCOA RUB
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons red onion, diced fine
- 2 Tablespoons feta or Cotija cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Cut the ends off the sweet potatoes and then cut in half.
- Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water.
- Bring to the boil; cook, covered for 20 -25 minutes or until just fork-tender.
- Drain well.
- Lightly grease a large baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- Evenly space sweet potatoes on sheet tray and use the bottom of a measuring cup or drinking glass to gently flatten each piece. Pressing too hard will alter the shape and will mash the potatoes.
- Mix together the butter, POD & BEAN™ SWEET & SPICY COCOA RUB, garlic, and parsley.
- Pour the mixture over each sweet potato.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese and diced red onions.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
If you can't find this spice blend, be sure to experiment with your seasoning - a blend of cocoa, sea salt, a touch of brown sugar, garlic, onion, and smoked paprika is recommended.
These roasted sweet potatoes are a delicious and unexpected side dish or appetizer recipe that your family will rave about.
For more delicious potato-based recipes, check out our Irish Colcannon recipe or our Homemade Potato Soup recipe.
Check out our other Appetizer Recipes here:
Check out our other Vegetable Recipes here:
