Let’s just get this out of the way—sweet potatoes really are a little magical. They are one of those very rare foods that are actually healthy for you and taste like something you should feel guilty about enjoying. They are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Then you roast them, and they taste like dessert in vegetable form. Win!
If you have been preparing sweet potatoes the same way for years—maybe a batch of mashed potatoes, or maybe you bake them with a little butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon—this recipe will feel like a game changer. This is one of those recipes that looks much fancier than it is. People will 100% think you spent hours on it, but you really didn’t. This is Hasselback Maple Walnut Sweet Potatoes. I know, it’s a mouthful. Yet, oh man, what a mouthful of deliciousness.
If you feel like you have never made a dish that uses Hasselback style before, it may feel like a daunting task. But it is not! You basically slice the potato into very thin slices (almost to the bottom of the potato, but not completely) to make it fan as it bakes. It’s like in an accordion kind of fashion but a potato instead of an instrument. It is a technique that looks very impressive and photogenic (or Instagrammable). Once you have done it a few times, it becomes almost meditative. It is just you, knife, and potato enjoying a little moment together.
And the payoff? Big. The edges of the slices crisp up, the insides stay soft and buttery, and all those little nooks and crannies are perfect for the flavor to sneak away and stick around. In this case, we’re talking about maple syrup and chopped walnuts. So you get the sweet-savory duo with just a touch of crunch, which completely screams fall. Like, the moment you taste it you’ll want to throw a sweater on and plan a dinner party.
What’s nice too is that it’s not just about the flavor—from the first bite, it has the kind of wholesome, rustic look people expect from a dinner party dish. It’s a perfect side for a fall dinner party. Or even a little show stopper for Thanksgiving, if you’re looking to do something unique but still deliciously comforting. Honestly, sweet potato casserole is 70% marshmallows and denial anyway. People will think you are someone who reads Bon Appétit and makes their own almond milk. But you’re about to teach them you literally just cut your potato and baked it.
And obviously I’m not leaving out the whole “very good for you” part. Sweet potatoes are called a superfood for a reason. They have beta carotene (good for your skin and eyes), fiber (good for, well, everything), and vitamins A, C, and a few others. So while this recipe leans a little sweet and indulgent, it still has some pretty darn nutritious supporters. Essentially, it’s comfort food with benefits. For the full list of ingredients and directions, just click here for The Spruce Eats’ recipe (I mean, let’s be real, nobody wants to scroll through 900 words about your grandmother’s farmhouse just to find the recipe—good for you, food bloggers, but please stop).
But if you’re just looking for generalities: a couple sweet potatoes, some butter or oil, maple syrup, chopped walnuts, salt and pepper (a little cinnamon if you’re feeling festive). You slice, drizzle, and roast. That’s pretty much it. The oven does the hard work while you pretend to be busy.
And look, while this recipe is perfect for the fall—when everyone is already in fall cozy mode—this isn’t a recipe only for those months. Sweet potatoes are nearly always in season. This dish fits equally well in a simple weeknight dinner as a fancier dinner. You could easily make this on a Tuesday and still feel like you were eating something special. The taste is completely on par with the aesthetics.
Also, this is just one way to prepare sweet potatoes. If this whole Hasselback thing doesn’t appeal to you (or you try it once and decide it is too fussy), it’s totally fine. There are plenty of other sweet potato recipes out there. Some are quick, some hearty, and some suited for holiday or potluck occasions. Whatever your mood, there reliably is a sweet potato recipe to go along with it.
So as the leaves start to change color and the cool air rolls in, if you’re looking for something new to cook. Or if you’re just looking to pretend you have it together while eating something that tastes like fall wrapped up in comfort—this Hasselback Maple Walnut Sweet Potato is definitely worth a shot. Simple, beautiful, delicious, and yes… better than it looks.
