🍠 Blooming Sweet Potatoes 

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45–60 minutes

⭐ Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes (round, uniform shape works best)

• 4 tbsp butter, melted

• 2 tbsp olive oil (or more melted butter)

• 1–2 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup (optional for caramelization)

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Optional spices:

  • ½ tsp paprika

  • ¼ tsp nutmeg

  • ¼ tsp garlic powder (for savory version)

Optional toppings:

• Extra melted butter

• Drizzle of honey or maple syrup

• Chopped pecans

• Marshmallows (for dessert-style)

• Sour cream + chives (for savory style)

🔪 Instructions

1. Prep the potatoes

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

• Scrub sweet potatoes clean.

• Slice a small piece off the bottom of each potato so they sit flat.

2. Make the “bloom” cuts

1. Place one sweet potato cut side down on the cutting board.

2. Using a sharp knife, make vertical cuts crosswise from one side to the other,
   spacing each cut about ⅛ to ¼ inch apart.

3. Stop slicing about ½ inch from the bottom so the slices stay attached.

4. Rotate the potato 90 degrees and repeat to form a grid pattern.

5. Use your fingers to gently separate the sections so it begins to “bloom.”

Repeat for all potatoes.

3. Season

• Place potatoes on a lined baking sheet.

• Mix butter, olive oil, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and any optional spices/sweeteners.

• Brush or drizzle generously over each potato, getting into the cuts.

4. Bake

• Bake 45–60 minutes, depending on size.

• Halfway through, baste with more butter mixture if desired.

• Potatoes are done when the center is soft and the “petals” are crispy on the edges.

🍽️ Serve

Serve warm with any of these finishing touches:

Sweet options:

• Drizzle maple syrup or honey

• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar

• Add toasted pecans

• Add marshmallows the last 10 minutes

Savory options:

• Sour cream + chives

• Chipotle mayo

• Garlic butter

• Bacon bits

⭐ Tips

• If you want extra bloom, microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes before cutting—they soften and open more dramatically.

• Use smaller, evenly shaped sweet potatoes for the prettiest flowers.

• For crispier edges, broil for the last 2–3 minutes.