Maple Spice Sweet Potato Poppers

Hannah Sunderani
Apr 22, 2016
3 min read

I must admit that I did not create this recipe by myself, but I needed to share it because it's incredibly delicious! It was inspired from my FAVOURITE food magazine, Bon Appetit. Honestly, I can't get enough of this magazine! It's pictures, writing style and general passion for food inspires me daily! It's really a gorgeous mag. And although it isn't solely directed at those who eat plant-based there's lots of options for vegetarian/vegan cooks. Wahoo!

In fact, BA just wrote an article about going vegan, and common mistake to avoid if you're thinking of choosing this lifestyle. They also include 50 hearty, healthy recipes that happen to be vegan! The recipe I've made here is revised from the Twice Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Hot Honey. Although this wasn't on their vegan list, with a few modifications I've make it vegan! And, have modified the directions based on my own cooking experience. :)

The reason why I love this recipe is because of the contrast in flavours...You have sweet, spicy and citrusy all packaged into one; and when combined it's bliss! Imagine each flavour like unique paint colours; when blended together they make something so surprisingly perfect!

My fiancé Mitch totally agrees with me on this one. He loves this side dish! In fact, these sweet potatoes are so delish they rarely even make it onto our plates. We can't help but to reach over and pop them straight into our mouths! That's why I've called this recipe; Maple Spice Sweet Potato Popper! (Just make sure you have a few napkins handy because I'm sure you'll catch yourself doing the same).

Before you begin, I want to say that this recipe takes some time to make. In total it takes me about 1.5 hours (partly because I'm slow and take my sweet time), but also because you have to roast the sweet potatoes first, and then wait for them to cool before you can handle them with your hands. So you'll want to be sure this is the first thing you start when prepping dinner. Another option is to roast the sweet potatoes the night before, or earlier in the day. Then, by the time you're ready to start dinner they will already be cool. But trust me, the time and effort for these gourmet sweet potatoes are worth every minute! This recipe is one that's sure to impress!

Maple Spice Sweet Potato Poppers

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

3-4 sweet potatoes
1/2 cup maple syrup
4 tbsp coconut oil
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cayenne pepper
salt

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350F.
Scrub your potatoes well and pat them dry. Poke holes all over the sweet potatoes, then wrap each individually in tinfoil. Line a baking tray with tinfoil and place the potatoes on top. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until you can poke through the potatoes with a cake tester.
Remove sweet potatoes from oven and open the tinfoil slightly to allow the heat to escape. Let them cool until you are able to handle them with your fingers. (Approx. 40 minutes).
While you're waiting for the potatoes to cool make your sauce: Add the maple syrup, coconut oil, cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Then, add your vinegar and stir.
Smash the potatoes with the back of a spatula until they are more of a pancake shape and the skins are torn.
Increase your oven to 450F. Re-line your baking tray with tinfoil. Using a spoon, lump off pieces from the sweet potato pancakes, including the skins and place onto the baking tray skin side up.
With a teaspoon, gently pour your liquid onto each sweet potato popper to cover. (You will use about 1/2 the liquid to coat all poppers).
Bake at 450F for 10-20 minutes or until browned. Then, remove from oven and coat the poppers again with remaining liquid. Crack sea salt over the poppers and serve.