Gather round, my fellow flavor adventurers, because we’re about to embark on a deliciously wild ride with these Spicy Maple Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes! This fusion of sweet and heat is the ultimate flavor explosion you never knew you needed, but now can’t live without. Get ready to blow your taste buds away and have your friends begging for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Maple Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These Spicy Maple Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are an absolute game-changer in the world of comfort food. The sweet, tender roasted sweet potato acts as the perfect vessel to house a decadent and explosive filling of crispy bacon, tangy maple syrup, and a fiery kick of spice. Every bite is a harmonious dance of flavors that will have you craving more with each sensational mouthful. Prepare to experience a mind-blowing fusion that will elevate your tastebuds to new, spicy-sweet heights!
Ingredients
You’ll need a few simple but incredibly flavorful ingredients to create this epic dish. Grab some sweet potatoes, bacon, maple syrup, butter, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and a few other pantry staples. The best part? You can easily swap in your favorite ingredients to make this recipe your own.
- 4-6 medium sweet potatoes – scrubbed clean
- 12 oz thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy – crumbled
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1-2 tsp cayenne pepper, to taste
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Bacon: Try swapping it out for crispy prosciutto or chorizo (for a different savory kick)
- Maple Syrup: Honey or agave would work beautifully (for a dietary swap)
How to Make Spicy Maple Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Listen up, because we’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise! This recipe is an absolute must-try, y’all.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by roasting the sweet potatoes until they’re tender and caramelized. While they’re baking, fry up that glorious bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. Crumble the bacon and set it aside, reserving the bacon fat for the next step.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In the same skillet, cook the brown sugar and cayenne pepper in the bacon fat until they form a thick, bubbling glaze. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup and a pat of butter. This spicy-sweet mixture is going to take your taste buds on the ride of their lives!
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Slice open the roasted sweet potatoes and scoop out the flesh, being careful not to tear the skins. Mash the sweet potato flesh with a bit of butter, then fold in the crumbled bacon and the spicy maple glaze. Spoon this insanely delicious filling back into the potato skins and get ready to dive in!
Step 4: Finishing Touches
If you want to really take this dish over the top, you can top the stuffed sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of chopped green onions, a drizzle of extra maple syrup, and a dusting of cayenne pepper. Trust me, the more flavor the better!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Flavor Swaps: Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations to make this recipe your own. Try swapping the bacon for sausage or chorizo, or add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar or crumbled feta on top.
- Bite-Sized Bites: You can even make them into mini twice-baked sweet potatoes for the ultimate bite-sized treat. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly.
- Sweet and Spicy Balance: The key to an epic sweet-heat fusion is finding the perfect balance of sweet and spicy – so don’t be afraid to play around with the maple syrup and cayenne pepper amounts until you land on your perfect flavor profile.
- Make-Ahead Option: These sweet potatoes can be prepped in advance. Bake the potatoes, scoop out the flesh, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Spicy Maple Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes make a fantastic main dish, but can also shine as a sensational side.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Simply reheat in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to enjoy them again.
Make-Ahead: You can prep the components in advance and assemble just before baking.
Nutrition Information
These Spicy Maple Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a delicious and nutritious way to indulge. Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, while the bacon and maple syrup provide a decadent touch of richness. Just be mindful of portion sizes, as the combination of sweet, salty, and fatty ingredients can add up quickly. But trust me, one bite of this epic flavor fusion is worth every calorie!
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Protein: 11 g
- Carbs: 58 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make these sweet potatoes ahead of time?
You can prep the sweet potato flesh and the spicy maple glaze in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving. The components can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Can I use a different type of sweetener besides maple syrup?
Absolutely! Honey or agave would work beautifully in this recipe if you want to switch things up.
Are these sweet potatoes spicy?
The level of spice in these sweet potatoes can be adjusted to your personal preference. Start with 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and add more if you want an extra kick of heat.
Can I make these vegetarian or vegan?
To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, simply swap out the bacon for a plant-based alternative like tempeh or mushrooms. You can also use a vegan butter or oil in place of the regular butter.
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done roasting?
The sweet potatoes are done when a fork can easily pierce through the flesh and the skins are lightly browned and crispy. This usually takes 45-60 minutes in a 400°F oven.
Try These Next
- Maple Bourbon Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potato Bites
- Crispy Maple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Heat Pineapple Bacon Sliders With Spicy Mayo
Spicy Maple Glazed Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sweet Heat Fusion
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Sweet potatoes are stuffed with a spicy maple glaze and crispy bacon for a sweet and savory fusion dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
4 medium sweet potatoes
6 slices of bacon, chopped
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. 2. Wash and pierce sweet potatoes with a fork. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until tender.
3. 3. In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels, leaving some bacon fat in the skillet.
4. 4. Add maple syrup, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. 5. Once sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half and scoop out some flesh, leaving a small border.
6. 6. Mix the sweet potato flesh with the bacon and maple glaze. Spoon the mixture back into the sweet potato halves.
7. 7. Return stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
8. 8. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to suit your spice preference. For a milder version, reduce the cayenne or omit it entirely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: sweet potatoes, bacon, maple, spicy, fusion