Crispy Sauteed Sweet Potatoes (20 Minutes)

These crispy sautéed sweet potatoes are golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with savory garlic flavor. Made with just three simple ingredients and ready in 20 minutes!

These crispy sautéed sweet potatoes are golden brown on the outside, tender in the middle, and full of savory garlic flavor. When I cook sweet potatoes on the stovetop, I cut them into small, uniform cubes and leave them undisturbed initially to develop a beautifully browned crust.

Made with just three main ingredients in 20 minutes, they're an easy side dish for busy weeknights or a delicious addition to breakfast bowls, salads, and tacos.

For more ways to enjoy sweet potatoes, try my sweet potato fries or sweet potato frittata with goat cheese.

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why You'll Love These Pan-Fried Sweet Potatoes
• 🥔 Ingredient Notes
• 🔪 How to SautÉ Sweet Potatoes
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Tips For Crispy Sauteed Sweet Potatoes
• Seasoning Variations
• What To Serve with Stovetop Sweet Potatoes
• Storage and Reheating
• 🍽 More Potato Recipes
• Sauteed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

⭐️ Why You'll Love These Pan-Fried Sweet Potatoes

• Quick and easy: Just three main ingredients, plus salt and pepper, and ready in 20 minutes.
• Crispy and tender: Golden, caramelized edges with soft, tender centers.
• Versatile: Delicious as a simple side dish or added to breakfast hash, grain bowls, salads, and tacos.

🥔 Ingredient Notes

• Sweet potatoes: Choose firm sweet potatoes that have an orange skin (and flesh). You could also use yellow or white-flesh sweet potatoes but they won't be as moist. Peeling is optional; leaving the skin on adds texture.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Helps the sweet potatoes develop a golden crust. Avocado oil can be used as a substitute.
• Garlic powder: Adds savory flavor without the risk of burning that comes with fresh garlic. If using fresh garlic, add it during the final minute of cooking.

🔪 How to SautÉ Sweet Potatoes

*See recipe card below for printable instructions.

Wash and peel potatoes. Dice into ½-inch cubes.

Heal oil over medium heat in a non-stick or cast-iron skillet. Add sweet potatoes to the skillet. Leave them to cook for 5 minutes (try your best not to touch them!), then lower the heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 8-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until the potatoes are fork tender.

Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and stir to cook for an additional minute. *Test one piece of potato with a knife before removing from heat to test for doneness.

👩🏼‍🍳 Tips For Crispy Sauteed Sweet Potatoes

• Cut uniformly. Keep the cubes approximately ½ inch thick so they cook evenly. Larger pieces will take longer to become tender.
• Don't overcrowd the skillet. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer. Cook in batches if necessary; overcrowding traps moisture and causes the potatoes to steam instead of brown.
• Leave them undisturbed initially. Let the potatoes cook for approximately 5 minutes before stirring to develop a golden crust.
• Adjust the heat. If the potatoes brown too quickly before becoming tender, reduce the heat slightly. Use a nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to minimize sticking.

Seasoning Variations

The garlic seasoning is delicious on its own, but you can easily change the flavor:

• Smoky and savory: Add smoked paprika and a pinch of cumin.
• Sweet and warm: Replace the garlic powder with cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.

What To Serve with Stovetop Sweet Potatoes

These skillet sweet potatoes make an easy side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Serve them alongside my mustard dill salmon for a quick weeknight meal, or add them to veggie fajitas for extra flavor and texture. They're also delicious with fried eggs, tossed into grain bowls, or added to salads.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing may soften their texture.

Reheating: Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat with a little olive oil until heated through. This helps restore some of their crispy texture.

🍽 More Potato Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

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