Roasted Sweet Potatoes Pecans (Print Version)
Tender roasted sweet potatoes with crunchy pecans and maple syrup for a cozy, flavorful side dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1.5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
→ Nuts
02 - 3/4 cup pecan halves
→ Seasonings
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tbsp maple syrup
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
# How to Cook:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until fully coated.
03 - Spread the seasoned sweet potatoes evenly in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Roast sweet potatoes for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
05 - Carefully toss the potatoes, scatter pecan halves over them, then drizzle maple syrup evenly across the mixture.
06 - Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for an additional 10 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized and pecans are toasted.
07 - Serve warm; optionally garnish with extra pecans.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The pecans toast right alongside the potatoes, giving you that perfect crunch against soft sweetness without any extra pan to clean.
- It feels fancy enough to bring to a holiday table but simple enough that you can literally forget about it in the oven while you finish everything else.
- The maple syrup caramelizes just slightly, making the edges catch the light and taste like autumn bottled up.
02 -
- Timing the pecans right changed everything for me, learned this after one batch of burnt pecans ruined my whole mood, so add them halfway through instead of at the start.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet or the potatoes will steam instead of roast, and you want those edges golden and slightly crispy.
03 -
- Buy sweet potatoes a day or two before cooking and let them sit on the counter, they're easier to peel and taste slightly sweeter than cold ones straight from storage.
- If your pecans are not fresh, taste one before committing the whole batch to the oven, and don't be shy about upgrading them if they taste even slightly off or old.