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Lighter Candied Bacon Sweet Potato Bites: Best Easy Appetizer

candied bacon sweet potato bites - featured image
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These lighter candied bacon sweet potato bites are the perfect salty-sweet-smoky appetizer, featuring roasted sweet potato rounds topped with crispy maple-glazed bacon. They’re quick, easy, and guaranteed to disappear at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound total), peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (toasted, optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped (optional)
  • Flaky sea salt (like Maldon, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position one rack in the middle and one about 6 inches from the broiler element.
  2. Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds. Try to keep them as uniform as possible.
  3. Toss the sweet potato rounds with the olive oil, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  4. Roast the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. Flip each round, then roast for another 10-15 minutes until tender and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  5. While the sweet potatoes roast, prepare the candied bacon. Line a separate baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise (12 pieces total).
  6. In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper (if using), and smoked paprika. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  7. Brush the glaze onto both sides of each bacon piece. Place the glazed bacon pieces on the wire rack in a single layer, not touching.
  8. Bake the bacon at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until dark golden and bubbling.
  9. Switch the oven to broil. Carefully transfer the bacon to the top rack and broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until extra crispy.
  10. Let the bacon cool on the rack for 5 minutes. It will continue to crisp as it cools.
  11. Assemble the bites: Place each roasted sweet potato round on a serving platter. Cut each candied bacon piece in half again (24 small pieces) and place one or two on top of each sweet potato round.
  12. Garnish with chopped pecans, fresh herbs, and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Slice sweet potatoes evenly for even cooking. Use a wire rack for the bacon to ensure crispiness on all sides. Watch the broiler closely to prevent burning. Make extra bacon for snacking. These bites are delicious at room temperature, perfect for parties. Store sweet potatoes and bacon separately in the fridge for up to 4 days (sweet potatoes) and 2 days (bacon). Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: candied bacon, sweet potato bites, easy appetizer, party appetizer, lighter appetizer, maple bacon, sweet and salty

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/lighter-candied-bacon-sweet-potato-bites-best-easy-appetizer/