These Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a delicious twist on the classic roasted side dish. Thick sweet potato slices are tossed in a buttery cinnamon glaze, roasted to golden perfection, and finished with a sweet, nutty maple-walnut topping. It’s a warm, comforting dish that shines on holiday tables—whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy fall dinner.
🥄 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Caramelized: The maple syrup gives the sweet potatoes a beautiful glaze and rich flavor.
- Perfect Texture: Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, with a crunchy walnut topping.
- Festive and Family-Approved: It’s always the first dish to disappear at family dinners.
- Easy to Prepare Ahead: Roast the sweet potatoes in advance and finish with the topping before serving.
🛒 Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes – Choose orange or red-skinned sweet potatoes for better texture and flavor.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and enhances the roasted caramelized finish.
- Maple Syrup – For a deep, natural sweetness. Use real maple syrup for best flavor.
- Chopped Walnuts – Adds a toasty crunch. Pecans can be substituted.
- Ground Cinnamon – For that sweet and savory warmth.
- Fresh Thyme – Gives a subtle herby balance to the sweetness.
- Salt & Pepper – Balances the sweet profile. Cayenne pepper is a great spicy option.
🔪 How to Make Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
1. Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Wash and slice the sweet potatoes into ½-inch thick rounds. Peeling is optional.
2. Season and Toss
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine:
- Melted butter
- Cinnamon
- Salt & pepper
Toss the sweet potato slices until well coated.
3. Roast
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay the slices in a single layer on a baking tray—don’t overcrowd, or they’ll steam.
Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until the edges are golden and the centers are tender.
4. Prepare the Maple Walnut Topping
While the sweet potatoes roast, mix:
- ⅓ cup maple syrup + 2 tbsp
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
5. Top and Finish
Spoon about 1 tsp of the topping over each roasted sweet potato slice.
Return the tray to the oven and bake for 8–10 more minutes until the edges caramelize and walnuts are lightly toasted.
6. Optional Garnish
For a savory balance, sprinkle with crumbled feta before serving.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Add the maple-walnut topping fresh before reheating.
- Reheat in the oven or microwave. For best texture, reheat in the oven to crisp up the topping.
🍽️ What to Serve With
These roasted sweet potatoes make a perfect side for:
- Roast Chicken, Turkey, Pork, or Salmon
- Hearty Fall Salads with vinaigrette or balsamic glaze
- A vegetarian spread or grain bowls
👩🍳 Tips for Success
- Cut sweet potatoes evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Don’t crowd the tray—roasting needs airflow.
- Real maple syrup = maximum flavor.
- Feta adds a salty contrast that’s perfect with the sweetness.
- Swap in pecans or almonds for variation.
📋 Recipe Card
Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients:
- 3 medium sweet potatoes
- ⅓ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon (divided)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup maple syrup + 2 tbsp
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice sweet potatoes into ½-inch rounds (skin optional).
- In a bowl, toss slices with melted butter, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange on a baking tray in a single layer. Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Meanwhile, mix maple syrup, walnuts, remaining ½ tsp cinnamon, and thyme.
- Remove tray, top each slice with about 1 tsp of topping. Return to oven for 8–10 minutes.
- Optional: Sprinkle with crumbled feta before serving.