Description
Deliciously sweet and savory roasted yams coated with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, then baked to tender perfection and caramelized with a maple syrup and pecan mixture. This easy recipe makes a perfect side dish that combines natural sweetness with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Yams
- 3 medium yams (1 pound), sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Maple Pecan Glaze
- 2-3 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1/2 cup pecans
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the yams.
- Prepare Yams: Slice the medium yams into 1/4-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
- Season Yams: Toss the yam slices with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until all sides are well coated. Season the slices with salt and fresh cracked pepper, then toss again to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Arrange on Sheet Pan: Lay the yam slices on a parchment-lined sheet pan mostly in one layer. A slight overlap is acceptable, but avoid overcrowding to ensure proper roasting.
- Initial Bake: Bake the yams in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to start the roasting process.
- Prepare Maple Pecan Mixture: While yams bake, mix the 1/2 cup pecans with 2-3 tablespoons of real maple syrup and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set this mixture aside.
- Add Maple Pecan Mixture: After the initial 20 minutes of baking, scatter the maple pecan mixture over the yams and gently mix them all together on the sheet pan.
- Final Bake: Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the edges of the yams begin to caramelize and the yams are tender.
- Serve and Keep Warm: Transfer the roasted yams to a platter or baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and keep warm until serving.
Notes
- Use fresh yams for best flavor and texture.
- Do not overcrowd the yams on the sheet pan to ensure even roasting and caramelization.
- Adjust maple syrup quantity based on preferred sweetness level.
- Pecans can be substituted with walnuts or pecan halves for texture variation.
- Serve warm as a delightful side dish to complement main meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 4 ounces)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
