Description
This Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe combines tender, caramelized sweet potatoes with the rich flavors of maple syrup, cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts. Perfect as a nutritious and flavorful side dish, it brings warmth and sweetness to any meal with a touch of aromatic thyme.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 medium sweet potatoes
Syrup and Butter Mixture
- ⅓ cup melted unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (additional)
Seasonings
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Garnish
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to properly roast the sweet potatoes ensuring a caramelized finish.
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them into uniform cubes to ensure even roasting.
- Mix the syrup and seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, ⅓ cup maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir well to blend all the flavors.
- Toss sweet potatoes with mixture: Add the cubed sweet potatoes into the bowl and toss thoroughly so each piece is well-coated with the buttery maple syrup mixture.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Spread the coated sweet potatoes in a single layer on a lined or lightly greased baking sheet to allow even roasting.
- Roast the sweet potatoes: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for about 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized on the edges.
- Add maple syrup and walnuts: During the last 5 minutes of roasting, drizzle the additional 2 tablespoons of maple syrup over the sweet potatoes, and sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly over the top to toast slightly and enhance texture.
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving as a flavorful side dish that pairs beautifully with fall and holiday meals.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the walnuts separately before adding them on top.
- Adjust cinnamon and maple syrup quantities to your preferred level of sweetness and spice.
- Use fresh thyme for a more vibrant herbal note or dried thyme if fresh is unavailable.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
Keywords: Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Maple Syrup Sweet Potatoes, Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Side Dish, Holiday Side Dish, Vegetarian Sweet Potatoes