My Favorite Fall Side Dish
These maple roasted sweet potatoes are my go-to. They are the perfect holiday side dish. They feel fancy but are so simple. I make them every year.
They are sweet and savory all at once. The trick is the brown butter. It makes everything taste warm and nutty. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It fills the whole kitchen.
A Little Story About Brown Butter
I learned about brown butter years ago. I almost burned it the first time! I was talking to my cat and got distracted. I still laugh at that.
Now I watch it like a hawk. You cook it until it turns golden. Those little brown bits are flavor magic. This is the secret to the best browned butter sweet potatoes.
Why This Simple Recipe Works
This is an easy sweet potato recipe for a reason. Cutting them the same size is key. It means every piece cooks evenly. No one gets a hard bite!
Roasting is the best way to cook them. These oven roasted sweet potatoes get so tender. The edges get a little crispy and sweet. *Fun fact: sweet potatoes are packed with Vitamin A, which is great for your eyes!*
Making It Your Own
The red pepper flakes are my favorite part. They give a tiny warm kick. It balances the sweet maple syrup so well. Have you ever tried a sweet and savory side dish like this?
You can change it up, too. Try a pinch of cinnamon for warmth. Or use rosemary instead of parsley. What herb do you think would taste nice here? Tell me your ideas!
More Than Just Thanksgiving
Yes, these are wonderful thanksgiving sweet potatoes. But please, make them all season long! They go with almost anything. We have them with a simple weeknight salmon often.
This matters because good food brings people together. It doesn’t need to be hard. Learning how to roast sweet potatoes this way is a skill you’ll use forever. What is your favorite cozy meal to share with family?
The Final, Best Step
Save that extra glaze! After roasting, pour the rest of the brown butter maple glaze over the hot potatoes. It makes them extra glossy and delicious.
That final toss is important. It coats every single cube. You get roasted sweet potatoes with maple syrup in every bite. It makes the whole dish sing. This matters because the little details make home cooking special.
What to Serve Them With
These brown butter maple sweet potatoes are so versatile. They are perfect next to a holiday ham or turkey. But they also brighten up a simple plate.
For a full maple feast, start with fluffy pancakes. Then add these potatoes and some glazed carrots. End with a maple walnut cake or a pecan pie. Do you have a favorite maple flavor? I’d love to know.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet potatoes | 3 lbs | peeled and cut into 1” cubes |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup | |
| Pure maple syrup | 1/4 cup | |
| Red pepper flakes | 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Kosher salt | 1 teaspoon | |
| Freshly ground black pepper | to taste | |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons | chopped |
Instructions
Step 1: First, get your oven nice and hot. Preheat it to 425 F. Grease a big baking sheet with a little olive oil. This easy sweet potato recipe starts with a warm oven. It reminds me of getting ready for a big family meal.
Step 2: Now, let’s make magic. Melt the butter in a light-colored pan. Swirl it until it turns golden and smells nutty. Those brown bits are flavor! (Watch it closely, it goes from perfect to burnt fast.) This creates the best brown butter maple sweet potatoes.
Step 3: Take the pan off the heat. Immediately whisk in the maple syrup and red pepper flakes. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It’s sweet and a little spicy. This glaze is the secret to perfect roasted sweet potatoes with maple syrup.
Step 4: Toss your sweet potato cubes with half the glaze, salt, and pepper. Spread them in one layer on your sheet. A single layer is the key to how to roast sweet potatoes right. They get all caramelized and lovely.
Step 5: Roast for 35-40 minutes, giving them one toss halfway. You want them tender and caramelized. These maple roasted sweet potatoes will make your kitchen smell like heaven. What’s your favorite holiday side dish? Share below!
Step 6: Time for the grand finish! Pour the rest of that glorious brown butter maple glaze over the hot potatoes. Gently toss them to coat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color. This sweet and savory side dish is ready to shine on any table.
Creative Twists
Try these fun ideas with your browned butter sweet potatoes. Add crispy chopped bacon right before serving for a salty crunch. Swap the red pepper for a pinch of cinnamon for a cozy, warm flavor. Top with toasted pecans or walnuts for a delightful holiday side dish. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
These thanksgiving sweet potatoes are so versatile. Pile them next to a simple maple mustard salmon for a lovely dinner. For a holiday feast, serve them with maple glazed carrots. Leftovers are delicious with fluffy pancakes the next morning. A perfect sweet and savory side dish deserves a sweet ending, like a slice of maple pecan pie. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes Perfect
Let’s talk about storing these maple roasted sweet potatoes. They keep beautifully. Just let them cool completely first. Then pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will be happy there for up to four days. You can also freeze them for a month or two.
Reheating is key for that just-made taste. I always use the oven or toaster oven. Spread them on a tray and warm at 375°F. This brings back the crisp edges. I once tried microwaving them. They became a bit soggy, bless their hearts. The oven method is much better.
This easy sweet potato recipe is perfect for batch cooking. Making a double batch saves so much time later. It means a delicious holiday side dish is ready in minutes. Having good food ready is a gift to your future busy self. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups
Even grandmas have kitchen troubles sometimes. Here are three common issues and their easy fixes. First, your oven roasted sweet potatoes might steam instead of roast. The fix is simple. Do not crowd the pan! Give each piece some breathing room.
Second, the butter can burn in a blink. I remember when I burned my first batch of brown butter. I was chatting with my neighbor! Now I never leave the stove. Swirl the pan and watch it closely. This patience makes the best browned butter sweet potatoes.
Third, the pieces might cook unevenly. Just toss them halfway through roasting. This ensures every bite is caramelized and tender. Fixing these small issues builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the flavor of your sweet and savory side dish truly shine. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make sweet potatoes wedges crispy?
The secret is high heat and space. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Dry your sweet potato cubes well after washing. Toss them with oil and salt. Spread them in one layer on a greased sheet. Do not let them touch. Roast until the edges are deep golden brown. This method guarantees crispy roasted sweet potatoes with maple syrup.
How do you make sweet potatoes crispy?
For crispy results, moisture is the enemy. Always pat your peeled and cut potatoes very dry. A hot oven is your best friend here. The high heat quickly caramelizes the natural sugars. This creates a delicious crispy exterior. It is the first step for any perfect thanksgiving sweet potatoes.
How to make the crispiest wedges?
For the crispiest wedges, do not skip the preheat. Let your oven get fully hot first. Use a light-colored baking sheet, as dark pans can over-brown. *Fun fact: tossing your potatoes in a little cornstarch can add extra crunch!* Give them a gentle toss halfway through cooking for even browning.
How to get a crispy skin on a sweet potato?
If you are roasting whole sweet potatoes, start with dry skin. Scrub them and pat them completely dry. Rub the skin lightly with oil and salt. Place them directly on the oven rack. The hot air circulating all around is what makes the skin perfectly crisp and delicious.
How to crisp sweet potato wedges?
Already cooked wedges can be crisped up again. Use your oven or toaster oven, not the microwave. Spread them on a tray and reheat at 375°F. This will bring back their delightful texture. It is the best way to enjoy leftovers of this holiday side dish.
How to get really crispy potato wedges?
The rules are the same for all potatoes. High heat, no crowding, and dry surfaces are key. Learning how to roast sweet potatoes well applies to regular potatoes too. For another savory-sweet treat, try these maple balsamic glazed holiday carrots. Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making these brown butter maple sweet potatoes. They always make my table feel special. The smell of maple and butter roasting is pure happiness. It reminds me of family gatherings and cozy fall days.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also love a maple pumpkin stacked holiday cake for dessert. Or a simple stack of fluffy maple syrup pancakes for breakfast. I would be so pleased to hear about your cooking adventures. Have you tried this recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments below.
Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.
