Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Candied Bacon and Pecans
Every Thanksgiving meal has a sweet potato dish, right? It’s pretty much a requirement.
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic one, of course. And then there’s glazed sweet potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes…and of course, plain ol’ baked sweet potatoes, which are great all by themselves with a bit of butter and salt. This brings out that mixture of salty and sweet that makes such a great pairing in my Salted Caramel Smoothie and my Bacon-Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls.
Well, now, it’s time take that salty-sweet magic to the next level.
My new sweet potato dish, just in time for Thanksgiving, brings that sweet and salty mix to the fore with…wait for it…candied bacon. So you’ve got the basic sweet, soft flesh of the sweet potato…made even softer and sweeter with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins…and then BOOM! That salty-sweet combo of candied bacon and pecans adds a flavor punch and crunch that just knocks it into a whole new dimension.
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The other great thing about this dish is that you can do most of the work ahead of time, which is great when you’re trying to juggle fifteen different things for a Thanksgiving dinner. You can par-boil the potatoes and candy the bacon the day before, and then all you have to do is put it all together and bake it for 20 minutes right before dinner. Set it on your table piping hot, and you’ve got a spectacular side dish that could easily outshine the bird itself.
Roasted Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Candied Bacon & Pecans…a great dish for Thanksgiving, or any time you feel like making some salty-sweet magic.
Roasted Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Candied Bacon & Pecans
For the Candied Bacon & Pecans:
- 1/2 lb bacon
- 1 oz pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Pinch Salt & Pepper
For Potatoes:
- 3 Sweet Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 oz pecans, chopped
- Pinch Salt & Pepper
- To candy the bacon, preheat the oven to 375° F. Cut the bacon into 1-2″ pieces, place in a small bowl.
- Melt the butter, use a microwave safe dish for 20 seconds. Pour the butter, brown sugar, pecans, salt & pepper over the bacon and mix well.
- Spread out onto a sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes or until bacon starts to crisp. Use a spatula to remove and spread out onto parchment paper. Set aside.
- For the sweet potato: Dice the potato into 2 inch chunks, boil until just slightly fork tender. Drain all water and set aside.
- In a microwave safe dish (I used a glass measuring cup) , add the butter and brown sugar. Heat for 20 seconds in the microwave, or until butter is completely melted. Pour over the sweet potatoes , add the raisins, cinnamon, salt & pepper and half of the candied bacon/pecan mixture. Stir until combined.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining candied bacon & pecans. Bake for 20 minutes on 350.
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Candied Bacon
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Ingredients
For the Candied Bacon & Pecans
- 1/2 lb bacon
- 1 oz pecans roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Pinch Salt & Pepper
For Potatoes
- 3 Sweet Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 oz pecans chopped
- Pinch Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- To candy the bacon, preheat the oven to 375° F. Cut the bacon into 1-2″ pieces, place in a small bowl.
- Melt the butter, use a microwave safe dish for 20 seconds. Pour the butter, brown sugar, pecans, salt & pepper over the bacon and mix well.
- Spread out onto a sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes or until bacon starts to crisp. Use a spatula to remove and spread out onto parchment paper. Set aside.
For the sweet potatoes
- Dice the potato into 2 inch chunks, boil until just slightly fork tender. Drain all water and set aside.
- In a microwave safe dish (I used a glass measuring cup) , add the butter and brown sugar. Heat for 20 seconds in the microwave, or until butter is completely melted. Pour over the sweet potatoes , add the raisins, cinnamon, salt & pepper and half of the candied bacon/pecan mixture. Stir until combined.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining candied bacon & pecans.
- Bake for 20 minutes on 350.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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When preparing the candied bacon and pecans — when do you add in the pecans? I don’t see any mention of them in the instructions. I am planning on making them for Thanksgiving. Thanks!
Yes, they are added in step 3. 🙂
What about the pecans listed in the ingredient list with the sweet potatoes?
Can I boil the potatoes the night before?
I’m so excited to make this for Thanksgiving it sounds amazing!
Amanda… How did turn out for you Thanksgiving dish? I’m looking for a Sweet Potato Dish for Christmas and this looks yummy.
I made this last year and it was AMAZING!! Everyone loved it. I’m allergic to cinnamon so I left that out but both of my girls(13&11) are asking for it again this year.
Do you use thick-slice bacon or the regular slice? Could I mix cubed butternut squash in with it, along with the sweet potatoes?
I guess the bacon would be a preference thing. I have never mixed in butternut squash, but that does sound like a yummy idea!
What is the calories per serving?