Description
Deliciously sweet and savory roasted sweet potatoes coated with melted butter, maple syrup, and warm spices, then topped with crunchy walnuts and fragrant thyme. This simple yet flavorful side dish is perfect for any meal, especially during fall and holiday seasons.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 medium sweet potatoes
Seasoning & Toppings
- ⅓ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1.5 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ cup maple syrup + 2 tablespoons
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare it for roasting the sweet potatoes.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into evenly sized cubes to ensure even cooking. Place the cubed sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
- Make the Maple Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and ⅓ cup maple syrup. Whisk well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Coat Sweet Potatoes: Pour the maple butter mixture over the sweet potato cubes and toss well to coat all pieces evenly with the mixture.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Spread the coated sweet potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Bake: Roast in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once halfway through to ensure even roasting and caramelization. The sweet potatoes should be tender and lightly browned.
- Add Walnuts and Additional Maple Syrup: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of maple syrup over them. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and thyme evenly on top.
- Final Roast: Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, until the walnuts are toasted and the thyme is fragrant.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then transfer to a serving dish. Enjoy as a flavorful side dish alongside your favorite main courses.
Notes
- You can substitute pecans or almonds for walnuts if preferred.
- For a vegan version, replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
- Ensure sweet potato cubes are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Adjust cinnamon and maple syrup quantities to taste for more or less sweetness.
- Use fresh thyme for best flavor, but dried thyme can be used in half the amount.
Keywords: sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, maple syrup, walnuts, cinnamon, thyme, holiday side dish, fall recipe, vegetarian