Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Candied Pecans

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Roasted sweet potatoes with candied pecans is a nice lighter version of the sweet potato casserole generations serve every year for Thanksgiving.

overhead view of roasted sweet potatoes with candied pecans.

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Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Every year around the holidays, we all turn to our favorite recipes. I don’t know about you, but I can’t do a holiday season without some broccoli rice and cheese casserole, sweet potatoes, pecan pie, pecan sandies, and pumpkin pie.

However, sometimes I want to change up a classic dish, and these oven roasted sweet potatoes fit the bill.

You will get a familiar flavor from roasted cubed sweet potatoes with honey and cinnamon. The pecans are candied with cinnamon and sugar, so now you get the wonderful flavor of candied sweet potatoes with far fewer calories.

Slow roasted sweet potatoes with candied pecans give you a nice lighter version of the sweet potato casserole generations have served up every year for Thanksgiving.

This recipe gives you hunks of sweet potatoes, bathed in a warmly spicy/sweet honey glaze and topped with candied pecans. The potatoes have crispy outsides that are soft and tender inside.

What could be more perfect for a holiday meal? Moreover, the mix of soft sweet potatoes and crunchy pecans is a great contrast of textures.

What Makes These Slow Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pecans the ONE Recipe You Must Try for Thanksgiving?

If you are tired of the traditional sweet potato dish with that gooey overly-sweet marshmallow topping, you will love this honey roasted sweet potatoes casserole. Instead of marshmallows, a shower of pecans on top adds toastiness, gourmet flair, and crunch.

So, if you’re used to having brown sugar-glazed sweet potatoes with marshmallows during the holidays, this recipe is a delicious upgrade! It takes plain sweet potatoes and kicks them up at least five notches to make them the best roasted sweet potatoes ever!

You can use the leftovers for tacos or a hearty fall grain bowl.

Ingredients You Need to Make These Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

This roasted sweet potatoes recipe is stripped down to the essentials – sweet potatoes, a touch of honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Plus, what might turn out to be your favorite part – toasted crunchy candied pecans on top – what’s more, you can add as many pecans as you like. Here’s what you will need:

Candied Pecans

Pecan halves
Egg white
Sugar
Cinnamon
Salt

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes
Honey
Olive oil
Cinnamon
Salt

How to Make Roasted Sweet Potatoes

To Make Candied Pecans:

Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Coat the pecans with beaten egg white.

Coat the pecans with the sugar mixture.
Spread out the coated pecans on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 1 hour at 250°F.

To Make Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
Coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil.
Add the salt and cinnamon.
Drizzle over the honey.
Spread the sweet potato cubes into a single layer on a baking sheet pan.
Bake for 30 minutes at 375°F.

sweet potato cubes coated with honey on a baking sheet.

Transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a serving dish.
Sprinkle candied pecan on top.

honey roasted sweet potatoes topped with candied pecans.

Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe Variations

These honey roasted sweet potatoes are a delicious alternative to the traditional over-the-top sweet potato side dishes. Here are a few ideas for recipe variations:

Use brown sugar or maple syrup instead of honey.
Add some cranberries to the pecans for some festive color.
Using some diced tart apples (such as Granny Smith) with the sweet potatoes adds both flavor and texture.
Combine the cinnamon with other warm spices such as nutmeg.
Add a savory accent with cumin or garlic powder.
Add a kick of heat with some cayenne or chili powder.
Add a splash of whiskey or bourbon to the honey for an extra special flavor.

Roasted Sweet Potato Fries

Slice the sweet potatoes as you would when cutting Russet potatoes into French fries. Season and bake at 450°F for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fries.

What to Serve With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish because it goes with so many main dishes. These potatoes put on an incredible show for Thanksgiving or Christmas, so you can serve them up with all the traditional holiday entrees, such as:

How to Store Leftover Roasted Sweet Potatoes

To Refrigerate. Glazed sweet potato wedges will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator.

To Freeze. Place the sweet potatoes in a freezer bag or hard freezer-safe container. For freezer bags, squeeze out the excess air before sealing. For hard-sided containers, place a layer of plastic wrap over the top of the sweet potatoes before sealing them to protect against freezer burn.

To make life easier, consider purchasing a vacuum sealer.

To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350°F.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet Potatoes

How Do You Clean Sweet Potatoes?

Simply place your sweet potatoes in a colander beneath running cold water and scrub away any dirt. Warm water is ok, but avoid using hot water, which can cook parts of the potatoes. Also, only wash them when you are ready to begin cooking because they may soak up excess moisture that can cause rot.

How Do You Peel Sweet Potatoes?

Wash and thoroughly dry your sweet potatoes. Set a potato on a cutting board and slice off the bottom to provide a flat surface you can push down on. Using a vegetable peeler, peel in a downward motion. If needed, you can touch up your work with a paring knife.

Peeling a baked sweet potato is easier because the skin simply slides off. If you plan to mash your sweet potatoes, it makes sense to bake them first and then peel them.

Is It Necessary to Peel Sweet Potatoes?

Remember that most of the vegetable’s nutrients are found in the skin, while most of the carbs and calories are found in the flesh. By peeling, you lose a lot of vitamins A and C and potassium. That said, most people prefer peeled sweet potatoes in their casseroles.

Tip: Toss the peeled skins in olive oil and roast them in the oven for a nutrient-rich snack.

How Long Do You Need to Cook Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

It depends on whether you are roasting whole potatoes or chunks. Chunks will take about 30 to 35 minutes.at 425°F. A whole sweet potato will take longer – about 50 minutes. In either case, your potatoes are done when they are fork-tender.

honey roasted sweet potatoes with candied pecans in a serving dish.

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