Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Cranberries
An easy, healthy side dish made with cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes, toasted pecans, and sweet, tart dried cranberries.
Bring on the holidays! This is the time of year when almost everything revolves around food. I will be sharing some indulgent and decadent recipes for the upcoming holidays, but also some good-for-you recipes that will help keep things balanced!
Thanksgiving is known for its turkey and calorie-laden sides, such as green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, brown sugar candied pecan sweet potatoes, and sinful pies. However, I wanted to lighten things up with a healthier option. These Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a no-sugar-added, gluten-free, dairy-free alternative to the over-the-top side dishes.
These Roasted Sweet Potatoes are made with simple ingredients -- sweet potatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, real maple syrup, toasted pecans, cinnamon, and dried cranberries. My favorite way to eat vegetables is to roast them. It brings out their natural flavors and makes vegetables taste that much better.
Growing up, my Mom's oven was always loaded to the brim with the turkey and side dishes. She always had to borrow some oven space from a neighbor in order to cook all the essential Thanksgiving sides. I watched in awe as she scrambled around the kitchen, preparing the feast.
I had to figure out a better way! I found that I could roast these cinnamon sweet potatoes on one of my favorite appliances -- the De'Longhi Livenza Compact All-Day Grill. I can roast my sweet potatoes on this grill in less time than in the oven and it isn't heating up my kitchen. I was shocked how fast my sweet potatoes cooked on the grill and they tasted amazing!
The beauty of the De'Longhi Livenza Compact Grill is that it has three interchangeable nonstick trays which transform from a grill to a pocket or panini sandwich maker or even a waffle maker. It may be small and compact and easily fits into a cabinet, yet it can do so many incredible tasks in the kitchen. I use it all of the time! You can get it for a great deal with a 20% discount from 10/20-11/3.
Most sweet potato side dish recipes call for a hefty dose of butter and brown sugar. This recipe calls for 100% real maple syrup, which comes straight from the source. It brings out the warmth of the sweet potatoes and tastes just like Fall food should taste.
This is a quick and easy healthier sweet potato side dish that everyone will love!
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Cranberries
Ingredients
- 4 Sweet Potatoes (peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces)
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ cup 100% Real Maple Syrup (drizzle on more when serving)
- 1 cup Pecan Halves (may toast for 2-3 minutes ahead of time)
- ½ cup Dried Cranberries (to keep it sugar-free, look for sugar-free dried cranberries)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
- Vanilla Bean (optional to add for flavor)
Instructions
To make on De'Longhi Compact All-Day Grill:
- Heat grill for 5 minutes. Place sweet potatoes in a bowl and drizzle olive oil all over sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with cinnamon and salt. Toss all together. Spread out sweet potatoes on the grill (may need to cook only half at a time). Close grill and cook for 10 minutes, flipping every few minutes, until fork tender.
- Toss with pecans, cranberries, and maple syrup. When ready to serve, drizzle with more maple syrup.
To Roast in Oven:
- Set oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Spread out sweet potatoes on baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil all over sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with cinnamon and salt. Toss all together.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tender. With 2 minutes remaining in baking time, toss pecans, cranberries, and maple syrup with the sweet potatoes. When ready to serve, drizzle with more maple syrup.
Notes
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of De'Longhi. The opinions and text are all mine.
Carol
Hi~
Could I use fresh cranberries?
Best, Carol
Modern Honey
Absolutely! It would be delicious. You can even cut the cranberries in half or keep them whole. Great idea!
Carol
Hi~
I have another question. How much vanilla extract can use instead of vanilla bean?
Thanks!
Carol
Modern Honey
Hi Carol! Great question! I would suggest 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Drizzle it on after baking to make sure you have the optimal flavor and it doesn't burn off. Toss it with the sweet potatoes. 🙂
Carol
Hi~
Sorry be annoying, but about how many pounds of sweet potatoes are needed for this delicious sounding recipe? I want to make them this weekend.
Carol
Laurie
Hw do you use vanilla bean in this recipe? Mentioned in ingredients list, then never again...
Modern Honey
Hi Laurie! You are right...I will add the specifics. I scrape an entire vanilla bean right before serving and toss it with the sweet potatoes. I hope that helps!
Laurie Kaye
Sounds delish, thanx - will debut this dish on T-Day!
Luann
Thank you! for this great recipe!
This is what I wrote when sharing your recipe to Facebook:
This dish has been a hit everywhere! (It’s my latest go-to for dish-to-share events because my spouse doesn’t like sweet potatoes & I love them).
This is NOT your usual sweet potato casserole! It’s not sweet, moist*, or a casserole. It’s 3 perfectly complimentary ingredients mixed together.
Everyone has asked what’s in it; and all have been surprised it’s sweet potatoes. Those who don’t care for sweet potatoes have been surprised that they like it.
* Because I had sweetened cranberries & (did the math &) I scaled the maple syrup back to 2.5 tsp. I’ve also used a mix of orange & purple sweet potatoes for added contrast
Curtis
This was a hit at our Friendsgiving. Great recipe!