Perfect for entertaining and feeding a crowd, these sensational roasted sweet potatoes are topped with zesty crumbs of walnuts, parsley, garlic and a touch for chilli. Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and roast dinners.
This is one of those dishes that pleases multiple senses: it’s pretty to look at, it smells fantastic, and the flavours set off mini fireworks in your mouth. The sweetness of the potato is beautifully combined with fresh and zesty crumbs that have a little kick to them.
I love making this dish as part of either a Christmas or Thanksgiving menu or when I’m entertaining friends or family on the weekend. It can be served as a side dish with pretty much anything, yet it can also stand on its own as a vegetarian friendly main served with a lovely green salad. And, the leftovers are damn good with a fried egg on top!
Making Sweet Potatoes With Garlic Walnut Crumbs
You can cut the sweet potatoes in any way you like. For this recipe, I wanted large wedges so I cut them in halves and quarters, but you can dice them into cubes and roast for 20-25 minutes.
Walnut Topping
While the sweet potatoes are the main ingredient in this recipe, the thing that makes it special is the topping of ground up parsley, walnuts, garlic, chill and lemon zest. You might think that the flavours of raw garlic and chilli might be a little strong, but they do mellow out when you take a bite of the sweet potato alongside. You can use a food processor or your handy knife skills to chop up the ingredients into crumbly topping.
You can also turn the crumbs into more of a pesto consistency by adding in some olive oil and lemon juice, then drizzle it over he sweet potatoes.
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Ingredients
- 1-1.2 kg sweet potatoes 2.5 lbs. / 4-5 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in halves or quartered wedges, depending on size
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
For the topping
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1 large clove of garlic peeled and roughly diced
- 1/2 long red chilli roughly sliced
- Handful of fresh parsley about 10 g / 0.5 oz.
- Pinch of salt
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 C / 395 F.
- Line a flat baking tray with parchment paper. Place sweet potato wedges in the tray, inner side up, and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon of salt. Place in the oven, middle shelf for 30 minutes. At a 15-minute mark, rotate the tray for even cooking.
- In the meantime, place the topping ingredients in a food processor and grind into small crumbs. Set aside. If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the ingredients finely with a knife.
- Once cooked, remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and season with a little more sea salt (about half a teaspoon or so). Sprinkle the walnut and parsley crumbs evenly over the top. You can garnish the final dish with a few whole parsley leaves and walnuts, if you like. Serve while hot.
- Make ahead tip:Pre-roast the sweet potatoes for 25 minutes and store covered with cling wrap in the fridge. Reheat at 200 C for 5-10 minutes then sprinkle with the crumbs just before serving. You can make the topping ahead of time too and store in an airtight container.
Love me some good sweet potato recipes during this season!
I love the combination of these flavors! Looks incredible.
These sweet potatoes look so good! I love that little kick that it has too, so nice with that vibrant parsley flavor.
This is such a great change up to the holiday table Irena! I would totally eat this for breakfast too – ha! My youngest isn’t a fan of white potatoes, so instead of mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving I always make something with sweet potatoes for her – I will do this!
I never would have thought of adding walnuts and sweet potatoes together like this, they look fantastic! Can’t wait to try them!
I love sweet potatoes and my husband gets so bored with them. I can’t to try these. I know he will love them.
This looks delicious! I’ll make some tomorrow for breakfasts all week, with an egg on top it will be perfect!
Ha, that’s what I ended up doing too. I had them over a few days with eggs and also tossed through a salad.
This looks absolutely divine! The hint of red on the garlic parsley toppings is just fabulous!
Makes a bit more festive, doesn’t it?
They are absolutely gorgeous and delicious ! Love your recipes as always !
Such a creative beautiful recipe! I love the flavors of the garlic walnut parsley topping.
I roast sweet potatoes a couple times a week and never thought of putting a topping on it. Just tried this recipe. All I can say is wow. Family loves it. thanks
I’m glad you tried it with toppings. Once you try it, the variations are endless 🙂
Not only does this look beautiful, but it also appears to be easy to make. That and great flavour make it perfect for holiday entertaining!
These look so darn delicious!! Roasted sweet potatoes are the best!
This is going to be an excellent side dish for Thanksgiving!
Oh wow, I love the combo of savory toppings with the sweet potatoes! Sounds delicious.
Wow what a pretty dish! I love anything roasted, gives it so much more flavor!
All of that delicious, vibrant parsley garlic goodness on the top of these sweet potatoes is so delicious! Such a nice addition to the standard roasted sweet potatoes.
Thank you!!!
Wow! Stunning. Can’t wait to try it!
Such a yummy sweet potato dish! This sounds perfect for any time of the year.
Love the chili in there! My girls will love these special sweet potatoes! Thank you!
It’s nice to see a different way to prepare sweet potatoes, and wow, this flavor combo sounds delish! Love your photos, too 🙂
These look like they are full of so much delicious flavour! Perfect to feed a crowd!
This is so gorgeous and festive for the holiday season. I can taste the yummy flavor from here!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who always adds garlic to her sweet potatoes. I personally find that the garlic brings out more flavor. Love this combination of flavors and textures.
Yes, I agree.
These look so good! There is so much flavor going on.
Thanks!!!!
I’m overly excited it’s sweet potato season again, and love the looks of your savory topping as well, reminds me of gremolata!
Yes, exactly what it was inspired by. Nuts add a bit of protein, extra healthy fats and great texture.
sssd
Look good. Will try to do today. I just want to know that i can make over electric smoker? Is it safe ?
Thanks for your sharing!
Such an interesting topping combo and so easy and delicious! I like my veggies to be both interesting and tasty, which this definitely is. Thank you!
Thank you!