Sweet Potato Spread for Rolls, Breads & Baking

Sweet Potato Spread

This savoury sweet potato spread is one of those quiet kitchen staples that ends up being used far more often than planned. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, warm spices, olive oil, and lemon juice, it’s naturally creamy, gently spiced, and incredibly versatile.

45 min

Easy

4-6

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Recipe Ingredients

2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons sweet ground pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Methods

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and adjust the rack to the middle position.

2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into evenly sized chunks. Place them on a baking tray, drizzle with the olive oil, and toss to coat.

3. Roast

Roast the sweet potatoes for about 25–30 minutes, or until they are completely soft and lightly caramelised at the edges.

4. Blend

Transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a food processor. Add the sweet ground pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste the spread and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

5. Cool Before Using

Allow the spread to cool completely before using it in doughs or baked applications.

Baker’s Note

While the sweet potato spread works beautifully as a simple spread, its real strength is as a filling for baked goods — from soft rolls and pull-apart breads to savoury pastries and tarts. The texture holds well during baking, and the balanced seasoning makes it easy to pair with herbs, cheese, or vegetables.

For a milder, more neutral base, this creamy white bean spread works especially well when combined with herbs, vegetables, or cheese.

Tips for Best Results

Roast, Don’t Boil: Roasting concentrates flavour and avoids excess moisture, which is crucial if you plan to bake with the spread.
Let it Cool: Using the spread warm can soften dough and make shaping harder.
Texture Control: If the spread feels too thick, add a teaspoon of olive oil or lemon juice. Avoid adding water.
Season Boldly, But Carefully: Sweet potatoes need enough salt to avoid tasting flat — season gradually and taste.

Variations

Herby Version: Blend in finely chopped parsley, thyme, or chives once the spread has cooled.
Cheese-Friendly Base: Use as-is and combine later with feta, cream cheese, or grated hard cheese for fillings.
Smoky Note: Replace part of the sweet ground pepper with smoked paprika for deeper flavour.
Milder version: Omit the red pepper flakes entirely for a kid-friendly spread.

How to Use This Spread

As a filling for savory rolls and buns
Swirled into pull-apart breads
As a base layer for tarts or galettes
Spread thinly inside dough before shaping

You may also like

Creamy White Bean Spread

Avocado Feta Dip

Savoury Potato Spread

Conclusion

This sweet potato spread is proof that simple ingredients, treated thoughtfully, can become a foundational recipe. Whether used as a spread, a filling, or a flavour base, it brings warmth, structure, and versatility to savoury baking — especially during the cooler months.

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