Maple Pecan Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are the ultimate festive and cozy dish that brings together the comforting flavors of sweet potatoes, smoky bacon, and the warmth of maple and pecans. This recipe is a showstopper that’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests at any holiday gathering or seasonal feast.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Pecan Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Get ready to experience a delightful symphony of flavors and textures in every bite! The tender, velvety sweet potato shells are filled with a creamy, indulgent mixture of maple-glazed pecans and crispy, zesty bacon. This dish is a true crowd-pleaser that will have your guests coming back for seconds. The combination of the sweet, savory, and smoky notes creates a cozy, comfort-food experience that’s perfect for chilly autumn and winter days.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a simple list of ingredients that come together to create a truly epic dish. You’ll need sweet potatoes, cooked bacon, pecans, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. The pecans are coated in a lush, maple glaze, adding a delightful crunch and warmth to the stuffing.
- 4-6 medium sweet potatoes – baked until tender
- 6 slices bacon – cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup pecans – toasted and coated in a maple glaze
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pecans: Substitute with toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
- Bacon: Use a plant-based bacon alternative or omit it altogether and add extra pecans or roasted mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
How to Make Maple Pecan Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Begin by preheating your oven and baking the sweet potatoes until they’re tender and cooked through. While the potatoes are baking, you’ll prepare the maple-glazed pecans and crispy bacon.
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the sweet potatoes for 45-60 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a skillet, toast the pecans until fragrant, then toss them with maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture until the pecans are caramelized and coated in the delicious maple glaze. Set aside. In the same skillet, cook the bacon until it’s crispy, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the sweet potatoes are baked, slice them in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a thin layer of potato attached to the skin. Mash the potato flesh and mix it with the maple-glazed pecans and crumbled bacon. Spoon the filling back into the sweet potato shells, then bake them again for 15-20 minutes until the filling is hot and the potato skins are crispy.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Serve the Maple Pecan Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes warm, garnished with extra crumbled bacon, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or chives for a beautiful, festive presentation.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Extra-Decadent Twist: Top the stuffed sweet potatoes with a dollop of creamy, melty cheese, such as goat cheese or sharp cheddar.
- Make-Ahead: Bake the sweet potatoes and prepare the filling in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving.
- Scaling Up: This recipe is easily scalable, making it perfect for holiday gatherings or larger groups.
- Vegetarian/Vegan Option: Use a plant-based bacon substitute and replace the maple syrup with a plant-based syrup of your choice.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Maple Pecan Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes make a fantastic side dish or can be enjoyed as a cozy, satisfying main course.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the stuffed sweet potatoes in the oven or microwave before serving.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the sweet potatoes and the filling in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving.
Nutrition Information
These Maple Pecan Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a nutritious and indulgent dish that’s loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber from the sweet potatoes. The addition of pecans, bacon, and the maple-sugar glaze adds a delicious richness and satisfying element to the recipe.
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato half
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 39 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these stuffed sweet potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sweet potatoes and the filling in advance. Bake the sweet potatoes, scoop out the flesh, and prepare the maple-glazed pecans and bacon. Store the components separately in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake the stuffed potatoes just before serving.
Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. The maple-glazed nuts add a lovely crunch and warmth to the dish, so any nutty variety will work well.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the bacon and use a plant-based bacon alternative or extra pecans instead. For a vegan version, use a vegan bacon substitute and replace the maple syrup with a plant-based syrup of your choice.
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of baking them from scratch?
While using canned sweet potatoes can save time, we recommend baking the sweet potatoes from scratch for the best texture and flavor. The natural sweetness and creamy texture of freshly baked sweet potatoes are key to the success of this dish.
How do I ensure the sweet potato skins are crispy?
To achieve crispy sweet potato skins, be sure to bake them until they’re tender all the way through. After scooping out the flesh, brush the skins with a bit of olive oil or melted butter before baking them again with the filling. This will help them get deliciously crispy on the outside.
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Indulgent Maple Pecan Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: 🎉 Festive & Seasonal Feasts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These delicious sweet potatoes are stuffed with a savory mixture of maple syrup, pecans, and crispy bacon, making them a perfect festive dish for any gathering.
Ingredients
4 medium sweet potatoes
2 cups cooked bacon, chopped
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. 2. Wash the sweet potatoes and pierce them several times with a fork.
3. 3. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until tender.
4. 4. While the sweet potatoes bake, prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix the chopped bacon, pecans, maple syrup, melted butter, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
5. 5. Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, let them cool slightly, then slice them open lengthwise.
6. 6. Gently mash the insides with a fork, leaving some chunks.
7. 7. Spoon the bacon and pecan mixture into each sweet potato.
8. 8. Return the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
9. 9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup. You can also substitute the bacon with a vegetarian alternative if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: sweet potatoes, bacon, pecans, maple syrup