Description
Maple Pecan Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a simple and flavorful side dish featuring tender sweet potato cubes coated in a glossy natural maple syrup glaze, enhanced with warm spices and crunchy toasted pecans. Ready in under 45 minutes, this baked dish delivers a perfect balance of sweetness, crunch, and comforting flavors ideal for weeknight dinners or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes and Nuts
- 3 medium firm sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into evenly sized cubes
- 1 cup toasted pecans
Glaze
- 1/4 cup natural maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Sweet Potatoes: Start by washing and peeling the sweet potatoes, then cut them into evenly sized cubes to ensure every piece roasts uniformly. Consistent sizing is key to getting that perfect mix of crispy edges and tender centers.
- Toast the Pecans: While the oven heats, toast the pecans lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and golden, taking care not to burn them. Set aside for later to maintain their crunch.
- Mix the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together natural maple syrup, olive oil, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a flavorful glaze.
- Coat the Sweet Potatoes: Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the bowl with the glaze and toss thoroughly, making sure each piece is evenly coated. This ensures every bite is packed with delicious flavor once roasted.
- Roast to Perfection: Spread the coated sweet potatoes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through to promote even cooking and caramelization.
- Add Pecans and Finish Roasting: Five minutes before the end of cooking, sprinkle the toasted pecans over the sweet potatoes and return them to the oven. This step ensures the nuts stay crunchy yet become warm and toasted within the dish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. The sweet potatoes should be tender with a glossy maple glaze and perfectly roasted pecans ready to impress any crowd!
Notes
- Cut sweet potatoes into uniform pieces for consistent roasting.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Stir halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Toast nuts separately to keep them crisp without sogginess.
- Taste and adjust salt or spices before roasting for balance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: roasted sweet potatoes, maple pecan sweet potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, side dish, vegetarian, gluten free, autumn recipe