Maple-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apple Skillet with Toasted Pecans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sweet potatoes and tart apples pan-roasted in a rich maple glaze, finished with crunchy toasted pecans and warm cinnamon for a cozy side dish. This american-inspired halloween (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs sweet potatoes, apple, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and foaming. Add 2 diced medium sweet potatoes and 1/2 tsp salt, stirring to coat. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sweet potatoes start to soften.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced apple, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Continue cooking uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until apples soften and sweet potatoes are tender.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle 2 tbsp pure maple syrup over the mixture and stir gently to coat. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the glaze thickens and becomes sticky.
  4. Step 4: In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/3 cup roughly chopped pecans for 3 minutes until fragrant and golden, stirring frequently.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle the toasted pecans over the sweet potato and apple skillet just before serving to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apple Skillet with Toasted Pecans take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Maple-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apple Skillet with Toasted Pecans?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sweet potatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apple Skillet with Toasted Pecans?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Maple-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apple Skillet with Toasted Pecans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Maple-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apple Skillet with Toasted Pecans vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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