Irresistible Sweet Potato Rounds With Honey Feta

This article introduces a delicious snack from Emma Collins—Sweet Potato Rounds With Honey Feta. Here's a detailed summary:

Recipe Overview

Description: This snack features golden sweet potato rounds with crispy edges and a smooth center, topped with slightly melted, savory feta cheese, drizzled with honey, and sprinkled with smoked paprika, achieving a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Features:

Flavor Balance: The natural sweetness of the roasted sweet potato complements the savory feta cheese and floral honey beautifully.

Beginner-Friendly: Simple to make with common ingredients, yet the result is excellent.

Preparation: The sweet potato rounds can be prepared up to two days in advance; simply reheat and add toppings before serving.

Popularity: Suitable for all tastes, from vegetarians to meat lovers.

Visual Appeal: The vibrant colors—orange sweet potato rounds paired with white feta cheese, amber honey, and green herbs—are incredibly appealing.

Ingredient Details and Tips

Sweet Potatoes: Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin; orange-fleshed varieties are best.

Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds fruity aroma; avocado oil can be substituted.

Salt: Use coarse salt or sea salt for more even distribution.

Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper provides subtle heat and aroma.

Smoked Paprika: Adds smokiness; pimentón dulce or regular paprika with a pinch of fennel can be used as a substitute.

Feteria: Greek feteria is best; French feteria or goat cheese can also be substituted.

Honey: Choose a light-flavored honey, such as clover or orange blossom honey.

Fresh Parsley: Provides bright flavor and visual appeal.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Slicing: Cut the sweet potatoes into ½-inch thick rounds.

Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine sweet potato chips, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, ensuring each chip is evenly coated.

Plate: Arrange the sweet potato chips in a single layer on a baking sheet, avoiding overlap.

Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy at the edges and soft in the center.

Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Plate: Transfer the sweet potato chips to a large plate, sprinkle with feta cheese, drizzle with honey, and finally sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Storage & Freezing

Refrigeration: Baked sweet potato chips can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. It is recommended to store feta cheese, honey, and parsley separately.

Freezing: Unseasoned baked sweet potato chips can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes, or microwave (30-60 seconds), but may lose some of the crispness.

Advance Preparation Tips

Slice and Season in Advance: Can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated.

Pre-baking: Baked sweet potato chips can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Simply reheat and add toppings before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

Cheese Substitutions: Try goat cheese, blue cheese, or ricotta salata.

Sweetener Substitutions: Use maple syrup, agave syrup, or balsamic vinegar glaze instead of honey.

Adding Flavor: Use paprika or curry powder instead of smoked paprika, or add cayenne peppers or red pepper flakes for spiciness.

Herb Options: Use fresh thyme or rosemary instead of parsley.

Main Course Variations: Add black beans, corn, and avocado for a Southwestern flavor, or add roasted chicken and tahini for a Mediterranean flavor.

Special Diet Versions: Use nutritional yeast and roasted pine nuts instead of feta cheese for a dairy-free version.

Best Practices Tips

Choose Uniform Sweet Potatoes: Ensure slices are uniform in size for even cooking.

Use a Slicer: Use a slicer to cut uniform 1/2-inch sweet potato chips. Flipping Time: Flip the slices after 15 minutes of baking to prevent sticking.

Room Temperature Feta Cheese: Remove the feta cheese 30 minutes before baking to allow for easy spreading and slight melting.

Honey Application Tips: Use a small squeeze bottle to precisely control the amount of honey.

Serving Suggestions

Plate Suggestion: Arrange the sweet potato chips on a large wooden or stone plate, drizzle with honey in a spiral, and use as the visual centerpiece.

Pairing Suggestions: Pair with other finger foods such as stuffed mushrooms or cold dishes, or as a side dish with roasted chicken or salmon.

Brunch: A highlight of brunch, served with egg dishes and mimosa cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it be prepared in advance? Yes, bake one day in advance, reheat and add toppings before serving.

Slice Thickness: ½ inch thick for the perfect balance of crispness and tenderness.

Feta Cheese Alternatives: Goat cheese or Ricotta Salata cheese.

Crispy Edge Secret: Arrange in a single layer, avoiding overlap.

Sweetener alternative: maple syrup or agave syrup.

To check doneness: Gently poke with a fork; the center should be soft and the edges golden brown.

Recipe Information

Author: Emma Collins

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Category: Snack

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan