Maple Bacon Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet and savory roasted sweet potatoes glazed with real maple syrup and topped with crispy bacon bits.
- The perfect balance of flavors that works as a holiday side dish or everyday dinner companion.
- Easy to make but impressive enough for special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3–4 medium)
- 8 ounces bacon
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 2–3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash, peel, and cut sweet potatoes into 3/4-inch cubes of uniform size.
- Place sweet potato cubes in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon if using.
- Spread seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they’re not overcrowded.
- Roast for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time.
- While potatoes roast, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
- Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- After initial roasting period, remove sweet potatoes from oven and drizzle with maple syrup, tossing gently to coat.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the maple-coated sweet potatoes along with rosemary if using.
- Return to oven for 5-7 minutes until maple syrup has caramelized and potatoes are tender.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with green onions if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra bacon flavor, reserve 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat and use in place of some of the olive oil when seasoning the sweet potatoes.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet – use two pans if doubling the recipe.
- To make ahead, prepare through step 5, refrigerate, and finish with maple syrup and bacon just before serving.
- Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 425
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 20
Keywords: maple bacon sweet potatoes, bacon sweet potatoes, maple glazed vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, savory side dish