Golden, crispy sweet potato rounds topped with melty Brie, crunchy walnuts, and a drizzle of honey. A delicious sweet-and-savory appetizer or side dish!
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme or rosemary
- 4 oz (115 g) Brie cheese, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 2–3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, optional
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Cook the sweet potatoes: Wash the sweet potatoes and boil them in salted water for about 15–20 minutes, until just tender but not falling apart. Drain and let them cool slightly.
- Preheat oven: Heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Smash: Slice the sweet potatoes into thick rounds, about ¾-inch thick. Place them on the baking sheet and gently press each piece flat with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup.
- Season: Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
- Roast: Bake for 20–25 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through, until the edges are golden and crispy.
- Add Brie: Place a slice of Brie on each sweet potato. Return to the oven for 3–5 minutes, until the cheese becomes soft and melty.
- Finish: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
- Drizzle: Drizzle honey over the warm sweet potatoes and finish with fresh thyme. Add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a sweet-and-spicy flavor.
Tips for Extra Crispiness
- Don’t over-boil the sweet potatoes; they should be tender but firm enough to smash.
- Smash them fairly thin for more crispy edges.
- Leave space between each piece on the baking sheet.
- For extra browning, brush a little olive oil over the smashed edges before roasting.
Q&A
Q: Can I use another cheese instead of Brie?
Yes. Camembert, goat cheese, or a mild creamy cheese can work well.
Q: Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes. Air fry the smashed sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for about 12–16 minutes, then add Brie and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Q: Can I use pecans instead of walnuts?
Absolutely. Pecans are a great substitute.
Q: Can I prepare them ahead?
You can boil and smash the sweet potatoes ahead of time. Refrigerate them, then season and roast when ready to serve.
Q: What kind of honey works best?
Regular honey works perfectly. A mild floral honey is especially nice with Brie.
Serving Ideas
Serve these as:
- An appetizer
- A holiday side dish
- A party snack
- A vegetarian starter
- A cozy weekend treat
Quick Summary
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 40–45 min | Total: About 1 hour | Serves: 4
Crispy sweet potato + creamy Brie + toasted walnuts + golden honey = an irresistible sweet-savory bite!