Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Walnuts

Why You’ll Love Maple Roasted Sweet Potato with Bacon & Walnuts

• Easy to make: This recipe comes together with simple prep, one sheet pan, and straightforward steps.
• Sweet and savory flavor: Maple syrup, smoky paprika, cinnamon, bacon, and sweet potatoes create a balanced and memorable side dish.
• Perfect texture: The sweet potatoes become tender and caramelized, while the bacon and walnuts add crisp, crunchy contrast.
• Great for many meals: Serve it with roasted meats, burgers, sandwiches, fish, or a holiday spread.
• Beautiful presentation: The bright orange sweet potatoes, browned bacon, and toasted walnuts make this dish look as good as it tastes.

Ingredients Needed To Make Maple Roasted Sweet Potato with Bacon & Walnuts

The full ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.

• Sweet potatoes
• Bacon
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Cinnamon
• Smoked paprika powder
• Walnuts
• Olive oil
• Maple syrup

How To Make Maple Roasted Sweet Potato with Bacon & Walnuts

1. Prep the sweet potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into evenly sized cubes. Keeping the pieces similar in size helps them roast at the same pace.
2. Mix the seasonings: In a small bowl, combine the kosher salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and smoked paprika powder. Stir until the spices are evenly blended.

3. Season the sweet potatoes: Add the cubed sweet potatoes to a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the top, and toss until every piece is well coated.
4. Prep the bacon: Chop the bacon into about 1/2-inch pieces so it cooks evenly and distributes throughout the pan.

5. Arrange on the pan: Spread the seasoned sweet potatoes into an even layer. Gently mix in the chopped bacon so the pieces are scattered throughout the sheet pan.

6. Roast: Place the sheet pan in a preheated 400°F oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the bacon is browned.
7. Add maple syrup and walnuts: Remove the pan from the oven. Drizzle the sweet potatoes with maple syrup, add the chopped walnuts, and toss gently to coat.
8. Finish roasting: Return the pan to the oven for 5 more minutes, allowing the maple syrup to warm and lightly glaze the sweet potatoes.
9. Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm as a side dish or a simple, satisfying meal.

Variations & Substitutions

• Sweet and tangy: Use balsamic glaze instead of maple syrup if you want a deeper, slightly tangy finish.
• Nut-free option: Omit the walnuts and use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for crunch.
• Extra protein: Add cooked chicken after roasting if you want to turn this side dish into a fuller meal.
• Vegetarian version: Leave out the bacon and roast the sweet potatoes with the spices, olive oil, maple syrup, and walnuts.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I Use a Different Type of Potato?

Yes. Sweet potatoes are the main ingredient in this recipe, but regular potatoes or butternut squash can also work. Keep in mind that roasting time may change depending on the size and type of vegetable you use.

What If I Don’t Like Bacon?

You can leave the bacon out. The roasted sweet potatoes still taste delicious with the maple syrup, walnuts, and warm spices. Without the bacon, this dish can work well for vegetarian meals.

Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?

Yes. Roast the sweet potatoes and bacon as directed, but wait to add the maple syrup and walnuts. Store the cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes, then add the maple syrup and walnuts before finishing.

What Can I Serve With Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

This sweet potato side dish pairs well with burgers, steak, roasted chicken, turkey, baked fish, or other simple proteins. It also makes a flavorful addition to a holiday table, especially when you want something warm, colorful, and slightly sweet.

• 6 cups sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
• 4 strips of bacon roughly chopped
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika powder
• ½ cup walnuts chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp maple syrup

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into cubes.
• In a bowl, combine the kosher salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and smoked paprika powder.
• Chop the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add the sweet potatoes to a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with the seasoning mixture and toss until evenly coated.
• Add the chopped bacon and gently mix it into the sweet potatoes.
• Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Drizzle with maple syrup, add the walnuts, and toss gently to coat.
• Return the pan to the oven for 5 additional minutes.
• Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and serve warm.

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