Sticky Tahini Butter Sweet Potatoes

These sticky tahini butter sweet potatoes are as delicious as they are indulgent. They’re so simple to make and come together in the time it takes to bake a sweet potato. These are a must-try for your next dinner party.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Ingredient Breakdown
• The Beauty of Baking (or Air Frying) Sweet Potatoes
• Crafting the Perfect Miso Tahini Butter
• The Sticky Glaze: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistible
• Serving and Finishing Touches
• Tips for Perfect Sweet Potatoes Every Time
• More Sweet Potato Recipes
• Final Thoughts

Introduction

Sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient that can swing from savoury to sweet, casual to elegant. But these Sticky Tahini Butter Sweet Potatoes? They’re a step above the rest. Imagine soft, creamy sweet potatoes baked to perfection, topped with a luscious miso tahini butter and finished with a sticky, sweet-and-spicy glaze. It’s the perfect balance of flavours—earthy, nutty, sweet, and spicy—all in one dish. And the best part? They’re so simple to make that they might just become your new favourite side dish or dinner party showstopper.

Ingredient Breakdown

• Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and packed with nutrients like fibre and vitamins A and C. They crisp up beautifully in the oven or air fryer, providing the perfect base for our sticky glaze and tahini butter.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Used to coat the sweet potatoes before baking, it helps to crisp up the skins and adds a subtle, fruity flavour.
• Unsalted Butter: Combined with tahini and miso paste to create a rich, creamy, umami-packed butter that melts over the hot sweet potatoes.
• Tahini: A creamy paste made from sesame seeds. Good-quality tahini is essential here for a smooth, nutty flavour without bitterness. Avoid supermarket own-brand tahini and opt for a Middle-Eastern version like Baracke, Al Nakhil, Al Taj, or Belazu.
• White Miso Paste: A fermented soybean paste that adds a touch of savoury umami to the tahini butter. White miso is milder and sweeter than other types, balancing well with the nuttiness of tahini.
• Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar: Provides the sweetness in the sticky glaze, complementing the earthiness of the sweet potatoes and the savoury notes from the tahini butter.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a tangy brightness to the glaze, balancing out the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavour profile.
• Hot Chilli Paste: Brings a kick of heat to the glaze. Use whatever you have on hand—sriracha, gochujang, or sambal oelek all work well.
• Toasted Sesame Seeds: Adds a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour to the glaze, enhancing the tahini’s sesame notes.
• Sunflower Seeds: Another layer of crunch, these seeds add texture and a slightly nutty taste to the dish.
• Fresh Coriander: Finely chopped and sprinkled on top for a burst of freshness and a pop of colour.

The Beauty of Baking (or Air Frying) Sweet Potatoes

There’s something magical about a perfectly baked sweet potato. The skin crisps up, while the inside becomes soft and almost creamy. It’s a texture contrast that works so well with the sticky, spicy glaze and the rich tahini butter. If you’re short on time or want a crispier skin, air frying is a fantastic alternative to baking. The hot air circulates around the sweet potatoes, cooking them quickly and evenly. Whichever method you choose, the result is the same: beautifully cooked sweet potatoes that are the perfect canvas for bold flavours.

Crafting the Perfect Miso Tahini Butter

The miso tahini butter is where the magic starts. This simple yet flavour-packed spread combines three ingredients: unsalted butter, tahini, and white miso paste. The butter provides a creamy richness, while the tahini adds a nutty, slightly bitter note. The white miso paste brings it all together with its salty, umami depth. When you slather this butter over hot, freshly baked sweet potatoes, it melts into every nook and cranny, infusing them with a savoury, nutty flavour that’s hard to resist.

The Sticky Glaze: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistible

Now, let’s talk about the sticky glaze. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy, made with maple syrup or agave nectar, apple cider vinegar, and a good dollop of hot chilli paste. As the glaze simmers on the stove, it thickens into a glossy, syrupy consistency that clings to the sweet potatoes, coating them in a layer of flavour that is simply irresistible. Toasted sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are added to the glaze, bringing a delightful crunch that complements the softness of the potatoes.

Serving and Finishing Touches

To serve, halve the sweet potatoes and place them on a large plate. Add a teaspoon of the miso tahini butter to each half, allowing it to melt and seep into the hot flesh. Then, spoon over the sticky glaze, making sure each potato gets a generous coating. Finally, sprinkle with a handful of freshly chopped coriander for a burst of freshness and a vibrant green contrast to the rich, golden glaze.

These sticky tahini butter sweet potatoes are more than just a side dish—they’re a flavour-packed experience. Whether you’re serving them at a dinner party or enjoying them as a comforting weeknight treat, they’re sure to impress. The combination of textures and flavours—crispy skin, creamy potato, rich butter, and sticky glaze—makes for a dish that is as satisfying as it is unique.

Tips for Perfect Sweet Potatoes Every Time

1. Choose Evenly Sized Potatoes: This ensures they cook at the same rate, so all are ready at the same time.
2. Don’t Skip the Oil: A light coating of extra-virgin olive oil helps crisp up the skins while baking, adding a subtle flavour and helping with the overall texture.
3. Adjust the Heat: If you like more heat, add extra chilli paste to the glaze. For a milder version, reduce it or opt for a milder chilli paste like sriracha.
4. Make It Your Own: Feel free to customise this recipe to suit your tastes. Swap out the coriander for fresh parsley or basil, or add a sprinkle of feta or goat’s cheese for a creamy, tangy finish.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Looking to explore more sweet potato recipes? Why not try one of these?

• Sticky Harissa Sweet Potatoes: Hasselback sweet potatoes, brushed with a sticky harissa glaze and served over tahini yoghurt.
• Sweet Potato Hummus: An autumnal twist on a classic hummus, make with roasted sweet potato.
• Honey Nut Sweet Potatoes: Roasted sweet potatoes, served with lemony, garlicky yoghurt and a spicy, honey nut glaze

Final Thoughts

Sticky Tahini Butter Sweet Potatoes are a dish that brings together a symphony of flavours and textures. They’re the perfect way to elevate your cooking without much effort, offering an unforgettable experience that combines the familiar comfort of sweet potatoes with exciting new tastes. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself, these sweet potatoes are bound to be a hit. Give them a try—you might just find yourself making them again and again.