Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon

Roasted Sweet Potatoes are one of our favorite Fall sides. This recipe is special enough to be served on Thanksgiving, but we make it on the regular in Autumn and Winter because oven-roasted sweet potatoes are easy and irresistibly delicious. You’ll love how the garlic is added – no peeling required!

If you love sweet potato recipes as much as we do, this Sweet Potato Casserole is a treasure of a recipe along with Creamy Sweet Potato Soup (also topped with bacon).

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Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe:

The maple in this recipe caramelizes the edges of the sweet potatoes as they roast in the oven, making them glow. Those are the pieces my fork attacks first along with the salty bites of bacon. Don’t skip the roasted garlic – pop the little cloves out of their sleeves and indulge. Maple-bacon flavored roasted garlic is incredible.

How are Yams and Sweet Potatoes Different?

Some grocery stores in North America label sweet potatoes and yams interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A true yam is a deep reddish/purple color on the outside with a white center and is not commonly sold in North American grocery stores.

What you will typically find in grocery stores are sweet potatoes (as pictured below) that have a copper-colored exterior with an orange center. This type of sweet potato is what’s commonly used to make traditional Thanksgiving sides like Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potato Casserole.

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes:

I’m convinced that oven-roasted vegetables is the best way to cook them, especially sweet potatoes. The texture is incredibly smooth and roasting draws out their natural sweetness. We add real maple syrup, bacon and garlic to give this dish wonderful sweet, salty, savory flavors that you will love.

1. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line the bottom of a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or Silpat.
2. Slice the whole garlic head in half horizontally (parallel to the root). Peel and slice sweet potatoes into 3/4″ thick pieces.
3. In a large mixing bowl, toss together sliced sweet potatoes, garlic, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
4. Arrange on a baking sheet with garlic cut-side-up. Bake at 400˚F for 20 min, then stir, top with bacon and bake another 25-30 min until sweet potatoes are tender and bacon is crisp.

How Long to Roast Sweet Potatoes?

At 400˚F, sweet potatoes cut to 3/4″ thick will take about 45 minutes to roast. For best results and even roasting, cut potatoes to an even thickness and stir the potatoes halfway through. Test the largest chunk of potato – it should be easily pierced with a fork. Use the largest sheet pan that will fit in your oven for even roasting. We use a big 15×21 sheet pan.

Do I have to Peel Sweet Potatoes?

Whether or not you peel your sweet potatoes for roasting is personal preference. Sweet potato skins are tender and you can skip the peeling if you love the texture of the skins. It will be even easier.

A tray of cubed roasted sweet potatoes is like adult candy. I’ll pull this out of the oven and take little bites while making dinner until I realize a quarter of it is gone! These roasted sweet potatoes disappear quickly every time. Make it once and you’ll make it again and again!

Push the roasted garlic cloves out of the sleeves and serve tossed with the sweet potatoes. I hope this roasted sweet potato recipe becomes a new favorite for you!

The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

These are all of the classic Thanksgiving side dishes that we traditionally make for our Thanksgiving dinner. Make them all for the ultimate Thanksgiving feast.

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes – just read the reviews!
• Turkey Gravy – a must-have with Juicy Turkey
• Green Bean Casserole – made from scratch
• Cranberry Sauce – so good with orange zest
• Soft Dinner Rolls – don’t forget honey butter
• Potato Salad – way better than storebought

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon

4.99 from 64 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Make Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon once and you’ll make them again and again! These roasted sweet potatoes are sweet, salty, savory and delicious.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 50 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

Servings: 6 as a side

• 3 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, (5-6 medium or 3 1/2 to 4 lbs)
• 1 head garlic
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 4 oz bacon, (6 slices regular/thin-sliced), chopped

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat.
• Slice the whole un-peeled garlic head in half horizontally (parallel with the roots). Peel and slice sweet potatoes into 3/4" thick pieces.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced sweet potatoes, halved garlic head, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and toss to combine.
• Place in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet with the garlic cut-side-up. Bake at 400˚F for 20 min. Remove from oven, stir the sweet potatoes, sprinkle pieces of bacon evenly over the top and bake another 25-30 min or until sweet potatoes are tender and bacon is crisp.

Nutrition Per Serving

301.27kcal Calories55.76g Carbs8.1g Protein5.56g Fat1.03g Saturated Fat911.61mg Sodium899.19mg Potassium7.98g Fiber13.06g Sugar37538.16IU Vitamin A6.51mg Vitamin C83.01mg Calcium1.61mg Iron

• Full Nutrition Label
• Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon

Amount per Serving

Calories

301.27

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

5.56

g

9

%

Saturated Fat

 

1.03

g

6

%

Sodium

 

911.61

mg

40

%

Potassium

 

899.19

mg

26

%

Carbohydrates

 

55.76

g

19

%

Fiber

 

7.98

g

33

%

Sugar

 

13.06

g

15

%

Protein

 

8.1

g

16

%

Vitamin A

 

37538.16

IU

751

%

Vitamin C

 

6.51

mg

8

%

Calcium

 

83.01

mg

8

%

Iron

 

1.61

mg

9

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: roasted sweet potatoes

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 301.27

Serve these maple roasted sweet potatoes and bacon as the most delicious side dish. I’m so tempted to pick some right off the screen and unfortunately for me, there weren’t any leftovers (there never are!)… Best to make them again.