Publised on 07/10/2024. Last Updated on 06/12/2024 by Richard
These Vegan Roasted Sweet Potatoes are glazed with maple butter and roasted until caramelised and crispy, making them the perfect Thanksgiving side dish.
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Vegan Roasted Sweet Potatoes with a sticky maple glaze are the perfect combination of crispy edges, natural sweetness, and velvety texture. Each bite is a beautiful mix of caramelised goodness, thanks to a homemade maple butter (vegan obvs) that coats the sweet potato chunks in pure magic.
As you can tell, I'm a bit obsessed with sweet potatoes! From my Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Soup to my Vegan Sweet Potato Cake, I can't get enough of that buttery texture and caramel sweet flavour.
Tossed with sea salt and a hint of cinnamon (for extra Thanksgiving vibes), these roasted sweet potatoes are such an easy recipe for the holiday season. Whether served straight from the oven or cooked in an air fryer, these vegan roasted sweet potatoes are sticky, golden brown and fork tender. I'm truly rooting for this veggie side...see what I did there?
I first made these beauties when I was planning to jazz up a Sunday roast with a great side dish —just me, the oven, and a half-empty jar of maple syrup begging to be used. I thought, “Why not throw some sweet potatoes in the mix?” Little did I know, these roasted sweet potatoes would end up stealing the show! My mates were raving, and I was left wondering why I hadn’t been making sweet potato cubes like this all along. Now, they’re a regular feature on my plate, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Very demure, very festive!
Ingredients You’ll Need
If you’re in a rush, scroll down to the recipe card for the exact quantities, but here’s the gist of what you’ll need for these vegan sweet potatoes:
- Sweet potatoes (go for orange sweet potatoes for the best colour and flavour)
- Vegan butter
- Maple syrup
- Sea salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
Just a few simple ingredients you’ll probably find at any grocery store, and that’s what makes this sweet potatoes recipe so great. Sometimes the best way to impress is to keep things simple and let the natural sweetness shine.
How to Make This Recipe
Here’s the simple method to whip up these sticky, maple-glazed roasted sweet potatoes:
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line your sheet pan with parchment paper. This makes clean-up a breeze and helps the sweet potatoes get those crispy edges we’re all after.
- Mix the Glaze: In a large bowl, whisk together the vegan butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt. The smell alone will have you drooling, but resist the urge to dunk your finger in!
- Toss and Roast: Add your cubed sweet potatoes to the bowl and toss them with half of the maple butter mixture until every piece is coated. Spread them in a single layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they aren’t too crowded. This is crucial for those crispy, sticky oven-baked results.
- Roast and Serve: Pop the tray in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through baking time to ensure even cooking. Once roasted, sprinkle with flaky sea salt while still warm. For an extra indulgent touch, top with more of that chilled maple butter—trust me, it’s worth it just to watch it melt.
How to Customise These Vegan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These roasted sweet potatoes are delicious as is, but if you’re feeling adventurous, here’s how you can easily customise them:
- Spice It Up: Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper or a little bit of chili powder for a bit of heat. You could even use taco seasoning if you're going for a Mexican vibe! Perfect for when you’re craving something a bit bolder.
- Herbal Twist: Fresh herbs like rosemary or sage would be great here. Just toss some in with the sweet potato chunks before roasting.
- Citrus Hit: Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon or lime juice over the sweet potatoes right before serving. It adds a lovely brightness to balance the sweetness. Ideal flavours for a grain bowl.
- Go Nutty: Top with toasted pecans or walnuts for some crunch. They add an amazing texture contrast and extra Thanksgiving flavour!
- Different Vegetable Altogether: This method works with all sorts of veggies, from squash to cauliflower! Ooh imagine that with a bit of spice and some fresh cilantro dahhling!
How to Serve This Recipe
Wondering what to serve alongside your sticky, maple-glazed roasted sweet potatoes? Here are some fab pairings from School Night Vegan:
- Vegan Fall Harvest Salad with Apples and Kale: This salad combines crisp kale and apples with roasted squash, quinoa, and crunchy toppings like pecans and pumpkin seeds. It’s light and fresh, balancing the sweet, sticky notes of the roasted sweet potatoes perfectly.
- Easy Vegan Focaccia Bread with Rosemary and Tomatoes: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, this focaccia is ideal for mopping up any extra maple glaze. The rosemary and tomato flavours work wonderfully alongside the sweet potatoes.
- Vegan Chilli Con Carne: This rich, spicy vegan chilli has a subtle smoky kick that pairs fantastically with the sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes. It’s a hearty, comforting combo perfect for colder nights.
- Vegan Sausage Stuffing with Sage: Crispy oven-baked and packed with savoury sage and vegan sausage, this stuffing is the ideal companion for these sticky sweet potatoes. A must-have side during the holiday season.
These recipes will round out your meal, providing a delicious mix of textures and flavours that perfectly complement the roasted sweet potatoes!
Roasting in Advance?
Yep, these roasted sweet potatoes are perfect for meal prep. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll keep for up to four days. To reheat, I recommend the oven or air fryer to revive that crispiness. Perfect for a quick and simple meal when you need it.
Vegan Roasted Sweet Potatoes FAQs
Absolutely! Just toss the sweet potato cubes in the glaze and air fry at 180°C (355°F) for about 15-20 minutes. if your air fryer uses a basket, you may want to line it with a silicone liner, since these fellas can get a little messy!
Totally, and it adds extra fibre too! Just give them a good scrub before roasting.
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for up to four days.
Yes, but they might lose some of their texture. Reheating them in the oven will help restore some crispiness.
The oven or air fryer will bring back those crispy edges. Microwaving works, but you’ll lose some crispiness.
So, there you have it—my easy, delicious Vegan Roasted Sweet Potatoes that’ll turn any meal into a cosy, flavour-packed delight. Whether you’re prepping for a big holiday meal or just looking for a simple side dish to jazz up your dinner, these sweet potato chunks are the perfect side dish for any occasion. Trust me, they’ll be your new go-to.
If you whip up these Vegan Roasted Sweet Potatoes, take a pic and tag School Night Vegan on Instagram—I’d love to see what you’ve cooked up! And while you’re at it, why not follow me on Substack to keep up with all my latest recipes and kitchen adventures?
Vegan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 85 g unsalted vegan butter at room temperature, or sub for olive oil
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 700 g sweet potatoes around 4 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the vegan butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon and fine sea salt in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth and combined. Alternatively use a stand mixer.85 g unsalted vegan butter, 2 tablespoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- In a large bowl, add the cubed sweet potatoes and half of the maple butter. Cover with a plate and toss vigarously until the sweet potatoes are coated in the butter. Wrap the remaining maple butter in parchment paper and place in the fridge to chill.700 g sweet potatoes
- Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they aren’t too crowded.
- Roast the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they are tender and caramelized around the edges. Alternatively, air fry the sweet potatoes at 355°F (180°C)
- Once roasted, remove from the oven and sprinkle with flaky sea salt while still warm.Flaky sea salt
- Transfer to a serving dish and top with more of the remaining vegan maple butter.
Scott Sletten
Eggs are not vegan 😑 Sir !
Scott Sletten
Looks and sounds awesome even though I'm not vegetarian !