I live in Texas, where people love their Mexican food.
I grew up eating it and what’s not to love? Spices, aromas, melty cheese…..just total comfort food. Well, I eat a plant based diet now, so no more traditional cheese. But, I do make a cheesy sauce and have found there is virtually a way to recreate anything. Practice, practice, practice. I have a couple of new “cheese” recipes coming on the blog.
This recipe though has nothing to do with enchiladas or cheese, just the major flavor components. Who says you need to eat an enchilada or taco to enjoy the Mexican flavors? I LOVE sweet potatoes, so I wanted to make them Mexican flavored and these are soooooo good. I baked 2 sweet potatoes for the recipe and ate all of it….it was that good. This sauce is incredible, creamy, spicy and takes just 5 minutes to whip up.
Thick, creamy and bursting in flavor…..I seriously could drink this stuff.
Just chop, bake and make the dip. Just 8 easy pantry ingredients. Doesn’t get any easier. Then devour.
Mexican Sweet Potatoes w/ 5 Minute Mexican Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes peeled & chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
- Sprinkle the potatoes with salt chili powder & cumin
Mexican Tahini Dip
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (this will depend if your tahini is salted)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons (48g) tahini
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup (don't omit, it balances the acidity and enhances the spice flavor)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (22g) water
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 415°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Do not use foil, it will burn! Peel and chop the sweet potatoes and spread out evenly on the prepared pan. If you want to use a little nonstick spray or oil, feel free, I did not, but if you do they will cook slightly faster. Season generously with salt, chili powder and cumin. (I just eyeballed it) Bake for about 25 minutes until fork tender. Turn broil on for just a couple of minutes to brown the tops, watching closely to not burn.
- While potatoes are baking, prepare the dip. Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk really well with a fork for a couple of minutes until the dip is thick and smooth. Taste and add any more chili powder or spices if you want it extra spicy. If you want the dip thinner, add just a little more water, keeping in mind that it will dilute the flavor some. Serve the potatoes with the tahini dip and devour.
this recipe is awesome. i keep coming back to it. blend of flavors. having tonight (again) with black bean harissa burgers!
Wonderful!! I’m so happy to hear that Paula! Thank you so much for the feedback, I really love hearing from my readers! 🙂
Looks amazing ! Can’t wait to try ! How many would this serve ? Could it be a 1 person lunch ? And could I use honey instead of maple syrup in the dip ? LOVE THIS 🙂
Hi Lauryn! Yes, definitely a 1 person lunch. It makes around a 1/2 cup of sauce which you will quickly dip your way through. You could just roast one potato if you like, if you are just fixing it for yourself. You can use honey, but I would scale back a little on the amount, since it is much sweeter than syrup and it may make it too sweet. It is also much thicker, so if the sauce is too thick, just add a teensy bit more water. Please let me know how it turns out, thank you!
Made this today. I must actually leave the house so that I don’t eat it ALL (and hubby then gets none for dinner). Seriously good and super easy. Thank you!
Thank you so much for the feedback Emi! That is too funny! I’m so glad you enjoyed it that much 🙂
I am obsessing over sweet taters right now, these look SO good!
Brandi, your photography has always been top notch but it just keeps getting better and better. This series of photos is amazing! I adore sweet potatoes and that tahini sauce sounds good enough to drink. I’m super intrigued by your cheese-less cheese. I can’t wait to see your recipes in the near future!
Aww thank you Nancy, you’re so sweet!! I’ve really been practicing with different angles and lighting and having my daughter help with action shots! Lol! I am pleased with how these turned out and it’s sooo much fun 🙂
Love the sound of your Mexican tahini sauce, Brandi. I bet it really makes those sweet potatoes special. 🙂
Thank you John, you bet it does!
This is so FANTASTIC!
I made a large batch of roasted sweet potatoes, carrots and onions without the salt. And I made the sauce (double batch) by replacing the chili powder with smoked paprika, and replaced the lime juice with lemon juice. Sooo amazing!
I will definitely be making this again!
Thank you so much Desiree for the feedback, I’m so happy you loved it!! Smoked paprika sounds like a wonderful addition. I love smoked paprika! I use it a lot in chilis and soups. Yum!
Fantastic! Just made the dip and a giant pan of roasted veggies – sweet potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatoes and broccoli – and it is delicious! Actually had to make extra dip since I had more veg and kept dipping my spoon in the bowl. I love your website and the concept of easy vegan meals that I can put together with minimal shopping, without hard to find ingredients, and while my baby is asleep. Thank you for all of the great recipes and ideas. 🙂
And it also makes a delicious salad dressing, in case anyone was wondering!
What a great idea, thank you for sharing that! 🙂
Thank you so much Meredith!! Thank you so much for leaving me feedback, I love it! Adding all those veggies sounds wonderful, but yeah, you are going to run out of the sauce quick, haha! Seriously, we went through it SO fast.
I really would love to go to Texas sometimes, I heard their tacos were pretty good, plus tons of asian fusion tacos! Isn’t tahini the best?! I love snacking on tahini on its own with some fresh lemon juice and good olive oil, it’s way better than hummus (I hate thick hummus). Maple syrup is a great ingredient to balace the acidity!
Yes, lady, come on to Texas!! Mexican food is everywhere here….but I’ve learned to recreate those flavors without all the dairy cheese! Yes, I LOVE tahini. It really is such a versatile ingredient for both sweet and savory 🙂
Oh Brandi these look so amazing!!!! I’ve been kind of craving nachos lately, but this would be such a healthier way to get my fix. I really need to go stock up on tahini again!! You are genius, genius, genius!!
Aww thanks Erika! Simple, easy and sooooo scrumptious! Let me know if you try it. 🙂
Your style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from.
Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.
Thank you so much!!
A 5 minute tahini sauce, it looks so delicious! And perfect on these moist delicious potatoes 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I am so glad I stumbled across your website. Everything looks delicious, and these sweet potatoes are just calling my name. Sweet potatoes really are the best vegetable on earth. 🙂 I think I have a few new recipes to try now…
Thank you so much for coming by!! I really appreciate that!
Ah, you’re so good to have this recipe just in time for Cinco de Mayo! Looks incredible!
Thanks so much Annie!
Oh man, I LOVE sweet potatoes and yours look absolutely divine with the crispiness and spices. I’m hungry now. That sauce looks amazing too!!!
Meeee tooo….I eat them ALL the time!
Yum! I like the Mexican twist on tahini. I also rarely do dipping sauce, but this looks intriguing. Thanks!
Thank you so much Mila! It is honestly delicious!
Yum, this is similar to patatas bravas, love the spicy sauce and always love roasted sweet potatoes.
Well, now I am going to make butternut squash – UGH SO YUM! 🙂 Sweet Potatoes creep me out, that’s why I am saying butternut squash! LOL!
What???!!! You don’t like sweet potatoes?!! 🙂
All I can say is ….”want” 😉
Super easy Cindy 🙂
I love the look of this sauce Brandi! I’m a huge tahini addict but usually go with classic tahini lemon or tahini miso sauces. Can’t wait to try your recipe 🙂
I love all things tahini Emma…that is why I even put it in ice cream! It is such a versatile ingredient!
I absolutely cannot wait to try this recipe. Not only do I love sweet potatoes, but this sauce sounds delish! Thanks for publishing these awesome simple vegan recipes. I love your blog!
Thank you so much for your kind words Charlie!! So glad you are enjoying the recipes, that makes me very happy! Please leave me feedback after you make this…I’d love to hear! It is addictive, just a warning 🙂