Description
This Maple Walnut Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe features tender, caramelized sweet potatoes roasted to perfection with a luscious maple syrup glaze and crunchy toasted walnuts. The combination of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with buttery maple syrup sauce, creates a comforting and flavorful side dish perfect for fall or holiday dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes and Seasoning
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Maple Syrup Glaze
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Toppings
- 1 cup walnut halves
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the sweet potatoes.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat the sweet potatoes evenly with seasoning.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the coated sweet potatoes evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to ensure even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Initial Roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the sweet potatoes for 20 minutes to begin cooking them through.
- Make Maple Glaze: While the sweet potatoes roast, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the pure maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a flavorful glaze.
- Remove Sweet Potatoes: After the initial 20 minutes of roasting, carefully take the baking sheet out of the oven.
- Add Walnuts: Sprinkle walnut halves evenly over the partially roasted sweet potatoes to add crunch and flavor.
- Drizzle Maple Mixture: Pour the prepared maple syrup glaze evenly across the sweet potatoes and walnuts on the baking sheet for sweetness and spice.
- Top with Brown Sugar: Sprinkle brown sugar over the entire dish to enhance caramelization and add a rich sweetness during the final roasting.
- Finish Roasting: Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fully tender and the walnuts are toasted to perfection.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the roasted sweet potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving to enjoy the warming flavors and perfect textures.
Notes
- Ensure sweet potatoes are cut into uniform cubes to promote even cooking.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- You can use pecans instead of walnuts if preferred.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative.
- Adjust baking time slightly based on your oven and sweet potato size for best tenderness.
