Why do you pierce sweet potatoes before baking?

Pierce the sweet potato with a fork or sharp knife in several places, about about 6 times. This will allow steam to escape from the potatoes while they bake . Place your clean (and jabbed) sweet potatoes on the prepped baking sheet.

How to roast a sweet potato Serious Eats?

Spread sweet potatoes on 2 rimmed baking sheets and roast until bottom side is browned, about 30 minutes. Carefully flip potatoes with thin offset spatula and roast until second side is browned and potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes longer. Transfer to a large bowl.

What happens if you don't pierce potato before baking?

It's important to note that not every baked potato will bust open if it is not pierced beforehand, but since you (and we) are unable to predict if a potato is liable to explode, it's a good idea to pierce the surface as a precaution. Extra Tip: we do not recommend wrapping a potato in aluminum foil when you bake it.

What happens if you don't poke potatoes before baking?

A: I would just skip poking the potato all together. It is very rare that a baked potato will burst if the steam can't escape .

When should you not cook sweet potatoes?

Use your senses to determine if your sweet potato is past its prime. First, give it a squeeze. It'll be firm if it's fresh, and mushy if it's not. Other signs to check for are discoloration, shriveled skin, black or brown spots, and suspicious odors .

What is the best tasting sweet potato?

The most versatile and sweetest variation of sweet potatoes is the Beauregard . Throughout the United States, you will see this species stacked high in the grocery stores during the holiday season. Beauregard's have a bit of a stringy texture, but they stay soft: this is what makes them so popular.

Why are my roasted sweet potatoes not crispy?

Don't overcrowd the baking sheet! This is an important one! If the baking sheet it too crowded , the sweet potatoes will not crisp. You should provide optimal space for air to flow through, and the sweet potatoes shouldn't be touching.

Do sweet potatoes have to be pierced before baking?

1) Always poke a few holes. Before baking, use a fork to prick each sweet potato several times . You don't need to jab the fork in deep. We're creating steam vents. Otherwise the pressure in the sweet potato could build up so high in the oven that it explodes—an unlikely possibility but one best avoided!

What happens if you don't pierce a sweet potato?

The potato will not rupture without one . In fact, I've found sweet potatoes cooked without being forked first are much easier to peel, post-roasting, as the steam pushes against the skin as it tries to escape, separating it from the flesh.

What happens if you don't poke holes in sweet potatoes?

Typically holes are poked into a sweet potato to prevent a potato exploding in your oven. However, the chance of that happening is low, and according to Lifehacker, sweet potatoes will retain more flavor if you don't poke them. I tested this theory right away and found that flavorwise it didn't make a huge difference.

Do sweet potatoes need to be pierced?

The outlet writes that rather than the sweet potato's skin acting as a dangerous and possibly explosive container for the potato's flesh, it's actually the "perfect roasting packet for the tuber's fluffy interior." If you pierce the skin, Lifehacker explains, you risk too much steam and sugar escaping during baking, ...

Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Hash Recipe (2024)

This easy-to-make Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Hash is a delicious sweet and savory recipe made with sweet potatoes, bacon, cinnamon, and maple syrup. It’s the perfect side dish for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner!

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Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Hash is an incredibly versatile recipe.

When I first made this recipe, I really only thought to serve it as a side to eggs or pancakes at breakfast, brunch or maybe dinner as more of a breakfast-for-dinner kind of thing.

But, so many readers have made this recipe as a side dish to dinner – even Thanksgiving dinner – that I have come to realize, and agree, that it can be enjoyed it pretty much any time of the day.

This recipe makes plenty enough for about 4 people, but you may want to double the recipe.

I find just about everyone wants seconds, theleftovers are still delicious, and it’s perfect for meal prep since it keeps for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

If you prefer a hash with eggs, you may want to try this recipe forSweet Potato Breakfast Hash or this alternative recipe forMaple Sausage Sweet Potato Hash.

Why This Recipe Works

Sweet Potato Hash is a delicious recipe to serve anytime of the day. While it’s obviously a perfect breakfast recipe, you can also enjoy at brunch or as a side for lunch or dinner.

Cinnamon and maple syrup are two flavors that compliment both the bacon and the sweet potatoes.

There’s about a 50/50 ratio of bacon to sweet potato – need I say more?

Step-By-Step Instructions

Ingredients

1 pound bacon (diced)
4 cups sweet potatoes (diced into 1/2 inch cubes): you will need 2-3 medium size sweet potatoes. Try to keep them as close to the same size as possible for the most even cooking.
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup

Chef’s Tip: some readers have enjoyed adding a diced onion or diced apple to this recipe.

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Dice the sweet potatoes into even, 1/2-inch bite-size pieces.

You will also need to slice the bacon, as well.

Chef’s Tip: bacon is easiest to chop when it’s stacked. To do this, simply open the package of bacon and remove it all as one big piece. Then, cut it, all at once, into 1/2-inch slices.

Create!

Add the bacon to a large skillet and turn the heat onto medium.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s done through and just beginning to get crisp, about 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the bacon.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate and set aside.

Present!

Serve warm.

Tips and Techniques

Try to cut your sweet potatoes into as evenly-sized pieces as possible. This will help them all cook at the same rate so that you don’t end up with mushy and/or hard pieces of potato.
Cut the bacon all at once by placing it in one large stack. To do this, simply open the package of bacon and remove it all as one big piece. Then, cut through every piece, all at once, into 1/2-inch slices.
This recipe is easy to modify. Add an onion, an apple, or both to change up the flavor just a bit.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 4-5 days.

FAQ’s

How Do You Store Leftover Sweet Potato Hash?

Store any leftover hash in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and use within 4-5 days.

Can You Freeze Sweet Potato Hash?

While you can freeze leftover sweet potato hash, the quality of it after being reheated may not be the same. It’s best to make it fresh, when possible.

Can You Bake Sweet Potato Hash?

Instead of cooking the sweet potatoes in the bacon grease, you can toss the cubed sweet potatoes in 1 tablespoon olive oil and a 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, Then, bake them in the oven set at 425°F for about 30 minutes or until fork tender. Mix the cooked sweet potatoes into the cooked bacon and top with maple syrup.

More Hash Recipes

Potato Hash with Bacon and Eggs

This recipe for Potato Hash with Bacon and Eggs is incredibly versatile and full of flavor. Crispy fried eggs and bacon, pillowy potatoes, and savory additions of onion and peppers makes this dish an irresistible skillet meal.

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Sweet Potato Hash Browns

Perfectly crispy and with a hint of earthy sweetness, these Sweet Potato Hash Browns will be a hit at your brunch or breakfast! They are easy to make and taste amazing!

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