Description
This Maple Sweet Potato Salad is a vibrant and delicious dish featuring roasted sweet potato wedges with a sweet and spicy maple glaze, crispy seasoned chickpeas, and a creamy whipped tahini yogurt sauce. Garnished with toasted pistachios and fresh coriander, this salad balances warm, smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors for a hearty side or light main.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 1.5kg / 3 lb sweet potatoes
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or 2 1/2 tbsp honey)
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Spicy Maple Sauce
- 3 tbsp maple syrup (or 2 tbsp honey)
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve if table salt)
- Pinch black pepper
Crispy Seasoned Chickpeas
- 400g / 14 oz can chickpeas, drained but not dried
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Whipped Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- 1 1/4 cups plain full-fat unsweetened yogurt
- 3 tbsp tahini (mixed well if oil separated)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 large garlic clove, finely grated
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
Garnish
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander/cilantro leaves (or substitute parsley)
- 4 tbsp toasted pistachios, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 220°C/450°F (200°C fan). Arrange the oven racks about 20 cm/8″ apart to ensure good air circulation for even roasting.
- Make Spicy Maple Sauce: In a small bowl, mix maple syrup, sriracha, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until combined. Set this sauce aside for later use as a flavorful drizzle.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Cut each sweet potato lengthwise into 6 to 8 wedges depending on thickness. Place the wedges on a paper-lined baking tray and toss with maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange the wedges on their sides for even roasting.
- Prepare Chickpeas: Drain the chickpeas but keep them slightly wet, then spread them evenly on another baking tray.
- Start Roasting: Place both trays in the oven with the sweet potatoes on the top rack. Roast the potatoes for 30 minutes, turning halfway through for even cooking. Remove the chickpeas after 10 minutes.
- Season Chickpeas: After the initial 10 minutes, push chickpeas to one side of the tray, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well using a rubber spatula, then return to the oven for another 15-20 minutes until crispy and clattering when shaken.
- Optional Sweet Potato Charring: Once sweet potatoes are soft (around 30 minutes), switch oven to grill/broiler on high. Fold down excess paper to avoid fire risk. Stand wedges sharp edge up and broil for 3-5 minutes until edges develop a slight char. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Make Whipped Tahini Yogurt Sauce: While potatoes roast, whisk yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, olive oil, and salt in a heat-proof bowl until combined. Microwave for 30 seconds on high, then whisk again for 10 seconds to create a soft, whipped cream-like texture.
- Prepare Tahini Drizzle (Optional): Remove 1/4 cup of the whipped tahini sauce and loosen with a little water until drizzle-able consistency is achieved.
- Assemble Salad: Spread whipped tahini yogurt sauce on a large serving plate. Arrange roasted sweet potato wedges mostly in a single layer on top. Drizzle with spicy maple sauce and optional tahini drizzle. Scatter most of the toasted pistachios and chopped coriander over the potatoes. Add crispy chickpeas, then garnish with remaining coriander and pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you don’t have maple syrup, honey is an effective substitute in both the sweet potato glaze and spicy sauce.
- Sriracha adds heat; adjust quantity based on spice preference or omit for mild taste.
- Toasted pistachios add crunch and a nutty flavor; alternatively, walnuts or almonds can be used.
- When roasting chickpeas, they will clatter in the oven once fully crispy – this is a good indicator they are done.
- The whipped tahini yogurt sauce can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving for best texture.
