Description
Delight in these Cinnamon Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes, a perfectly balanced dish combining the natural sweetness of tender roasted sweet potatoes with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a luscious maple syrup and honey glaze topped with crunchy pecans and fresh thyme. This oven-baked recipe is ideal for a flavorful side dish that’s both cozy and nutritious.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
Butter Mixture
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Maple Pecan Glaze
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (204ºC) to ensure it’s hot enough to roast the sweet potatoes to perfection.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds to promote even cooking and caramelization.
- Coat with Butter Mixture: In a bowl, combine melted butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Toss the sweet potato rounds thoroughly in this mixture so each piece is well coated for enhanced flavor and browning.
- Arrange and Roast: Place the sweet potato slices on a baking sheet in a single layer with space between them to avoid steaming. Roast for 25-30 minutes until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.
- Prepare the Maple Pecan Topping: While roasting, mix together maple syrup, honey, chopped pecans, nutmeg, the remaining cinnamon, and fresh thyme in a bowl to create a sweet and aromatic glaze.
- Glaze and Finish Roasting: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the pecan and syrup mixture onto each sweet potato slice. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake an additional 10 minutes until the glaze caramelizes and edges get beautifully browned.
- Serve: Enjoy these roasted sweet potatoes as is or optionally top with crumbled feta or goat cheese for a savory contrast to the sweetness.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle chopped fresh thyme over the finished dish just before serving.
- Use raw, unsalted pecans for the best texture and flavor.
- If you prefer a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use maple syrup only, omitting honey.
- Sweet potatoes can vary in size; adjust cooking time slightly if slices are thinner or thicker than 1/2 inch.
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats or as a hearty vegetarian side.