Description
Delight in the warm, comforting flavors of Cinnamon Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes, featuring tender sweet potato rounds roasted to perfection and topped with a luscious mix of maple syrup, honey, pecans, and aromatic spices. This dish makes a perfect side for fall dinners or a sweet yet savory treat any time of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
Sweet & Topping Mixture
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for roasting the sweet potatoes evenly.
- Prepare sweet potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into 1/2-inch thick rounds for uniform cooking and tenderness.
- Toss sweet potatoes in seasoning: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt. Add the sweet potato rounds and toss thoroughly until they are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Roast the sweet potatoes: Lay out the coated sweet potato slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, leaving some space between each slice to allow browning instead of steaming. Bake for 25-30 minutes until they are fork tender and lightly browned.
- Mix the sweet topping: While the sweet potatoes bake, combine the maple syrup, honey, chopped pecans, nutmeg, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and fresh thyme in a bowl. Stir well to blend all flavors.
- Add the pecan and syrup topping: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and spoon about 1 teaspoon of the pecan and syrup mixture onto each slice. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. This step caramelizes the topping, creating a delightful, glossy finish around the edges.
- Serve: Serve the roasted sweet potatoes warm, either on their own or topped with optional feta or goat cheese for a creamy contrast.
Notes
- Make sure to space the sweet potato slices adequately on the baking sheet to avoid steaming, which prevents caramelization and crisp edges.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
- Optional toppings like feta or goat cheese add a tangy richness that complements the sweet and savory flavors.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to retain crispiness, or warmed gently in a microwave.
