A delicious and easy side dish, Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes combine tender roasted sweet potatoes with the richness of maple syrup, the crunch of walnuts, and a hint of warming spices. Perfect for holidays or a weeknight dinner, this dish is both flavorful and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines sweet, savory, and nutty flavors.
- Simple and quick preparation.
- Ideal for festive gatherings or as a healthy side dish.
- Easily adaptable with pecans or additional toppings like feta cheese.
- Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 3 medium sweet potatoes
- ⅓ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Clean and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Peel the skin if preferred.
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato slices with melted butter, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well coated.
- Arrange the slices on a baking tray in a single layer, leaving space between them. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- While the sweet potatoes roast, mix maple syrup, chopped walnuts, the remaining cinnamon, and thyme in a small bowl.
- Remove the baking tray from the oven and top each sweet potato slice with the walnut-maple mixture.
- Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes, allowing the edges to caramelize.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnished with crumbled feta cheese.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4 servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Variations
- Nut Substitute: Use pecans instead of walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
- Extra Herbs: Sprinkle fresh rosemary or sage for added depth.
- Dairy-Free: Replace butter with olive oil for a vegan version.
- Sweetness: Add a drizzle of honey along with the maple syrup for extra sweetness.
- Cheese Option: Crumbled goat cheese can be used in place of feta.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked sweet potatoes without the walnut topping in a single layer. Add the topping fresh when reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
FAQs
1. Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, roast the sweet potatoes and prepare the walnut mixture separately. Combine and reheat just before serving.
2. Can I use yams instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes, yams work well and provide a similar flavor and texture.
3. How can I tell if the sweet potatoes are cooked?
Insert a fork into the center of a slice. If it slides in easily, they’re done.
4. Can I use olive oil instead of butter?
Yes, olive oil is a great dairy-free alternative.
5. How do I make this dish vegan?
Substitute butter with olive oil and omit the optional feta cheese.
6. Can I add other vegetables to the mix?
Yes, carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts make excellent additions.
7. What if I don’t have maple syrup?
Honey or agave syrup can be used as substitutes.
8. Are there other nuts I can use?
Yes, pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds can replace walnuts.
9. Can I skip the thyme?
Absolutely. You can use rosemary, sage, or no herbs at all based on your preference.
10. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, the sweet and nutty flavors make it appealing to kids. Adjust spices if needed.
Conclusion
Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a show-stopping side dish that’s easy to make and bursting with fall flavors. Whether served during the holidays or as part of a weeknight meal, this dish is sure to impress. Customize with your favorite nuts, spices, or toppings for a dish that’s uniquely yours!
PrintWalnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Author: Asma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Savor the flavors of fall with these Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potato rounds are roasted to perfection and topped with a rich maple syrup glaze, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of cinnamon and thyme. This simple yet elegant side dish is ideal for holiday meals or cozy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 3 medium sweet potatoes
- 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/3 cup maple syrup + 2 tablespoons
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Wash and slice sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Peel them if desired.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with melted butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the slices on a baking tray in a single layer with space between them. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until tender.
- Meanwhile, mix the maple syrup, walnuts, the remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and thyme in a bowl.
- Remove the tray from the oven and spoon the walnut-maple mixture over the sweet potato slices.
- Return the tray to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, until the edges caramelize.
- Serve warm, optionally garnished with crumbled feta cheese for a tangy contrast.
Notes
- Adjust the baking time depending on the thickness of your sweet potato slices.
- For a nutty variation, substitute pecans for walnuts.
- Make this dish vegan by replacing butter with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 421 kcal
- Sugar: 23g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Protein: 4g
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