Welcome to easycrispyrecipes.com! Today, we’re diving into a delightful fall-inspired dish that will surely become a favorite in your household: Maple Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cranberries. This recipe perfectly balances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with the tartness of cranberries and the rich flavor of maple syrup. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday feast or simply want to enjoy a comforting side dish, this recipe is an excellent choice.
Ingredients
To make Maple Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cranberries, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the sweet potatoes.
- Soak the Sweet Potatoes: Soak the sweet potato slices in cold water for about 30 minutes. This step helps to remove excess starch, which can make them crispier when baked.
- Drain and Dry: Drain the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. This ensures they will roast properly.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
- Grease the Dish: Lightly grease a large baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the sweet potatoes from sticking.
- Layer the Sweet Potatoes: Arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer in the baking dish. Overlapping them slightly is fine.
Step 2: Mix the Glaze
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of salt.
- Add Cranberries: Stir in the cranberries until they are well coated with the glaze.
Step 3: Bake the Sweet Potatoes
- Pour the Glaze: Pour the maple syrup mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes, ensuring all slices are coated.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and Bake: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized.
Step 4: Add Pecans (Optional)
- Toast Pecans: If using, toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle Pecans: Sprinkle the toasted pecans over the baked sweet potatoes before serving.
Tips and Variations
Tips for Cooking
- Why Soak Sweet Potatoes Before Baking? Soaking the sweet potatoes helps to remove some of the starch, which can make them crispier when baked.
- Are Baked Sweet Potatoes Still Healthy? Yes, baked sweet potatoes retain most of their nutrients, making them a healthy choice.
- Are Sweet Potatoes Better for You Baked or Boiled? Baking helps preserve the nutrients better than boiling, which can cause some nutrients to leach out into the water.
- Should Sweet Potatoes Be Wrapped Before Baking? Wrapping in foil can make them steam, resulting in a softer texture. For a crispier texture, bake them uncovered.
Variations
- Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes With Pecans: Add toasted pecans for a nutty crunch.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Maple Syrup and Cinnamon: Increase the cinnamon for a more pronounced spice flavor.
- Maple Baked Sweet Potatoes in Oven: Follow the same recipe for a different cooking method.
- Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes Air Fryer: Adapt the recipe for an air fryer for a quicker cooking time.
- Make Ahead Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Prepare the dish in advance and reheat before serving.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a basic nutritional breakdown per serving of Maple Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cranberries:
- Calories: 220
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 18g
- Vitamin A: 120% of the Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 15% of the Daily Value
Conclusion
Maple Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cranberries is a delicious and nutritious dish that brings together the best flavors of fall. It’s easy to prepare and sure to impress your family and friends. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget to share it on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for more mouth-watering recipes.