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The perfect healthy appetizer is these easy and tasty sweet potato rounds with goat cheese, dried cranberries, roasted walnuts and then drizzled with some honey and balsamic vinegar. If you're looking for finger food ideas, there really isn't a better appetizer out there.
I'm all about finger food appetizers - from pepper jack cheese crackers to pepperoni bread. But these sweet potato rounds are the ultimate finger food, and healthy to boot!
In browsing Pinterest for appetizers over multiple days for finger food ideas, I came across a variety of recipes that looked good, but one that really caught my eye were sweet potato rounds from Ciao Florentina. Hence why I'm sharing these today.
I'll admit it was the goat cheese, not the sweet potato that made me want to make these. I just love goat cheese! But I'm not going to lie, the drizzle of balsamic vinegar and fresh honey really put these over the top. They sell honey goat cheese at grocery stores for a reason. It's just the perfect combination.
Really the only thing that takes some time is cutting the sweet potatoes. But if you have a mandoline, it goes much faster. Lucky for me, I do have one now, although I went the first 30 years without a mandoline so it isn't a necessity. Just be careful with your fingers!
So if you're hosting or going to a party and looking for finger food appetizers, I highly suggest these. Trust me when I say they'll be the hit of the party.
Jump to:
Recipe Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes - potatoes will work here as well.
- Olive oil - helps cook the sweet potatoes.
- Salt - enhances the flavor.
- Paprika - added flavor.
- Goat cheese - complements the sweet potatoes.
- Walnuts - gives a nice crunch. Can also use pecans.
- Dried cranberries - another texture and flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar - gives some tartness to the appetizer.
- Honey - adds a slight sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Cut the sweet potatoes with a mandoline or sharp knife.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, sea salt and paprika. In large bowl toss the cut sweet potatoes with the paprika mixture, making sure everything is coated.
- Line large baking sheet with parchment paper and place the sweet potatoes in even layer. Bake the sweet potatoes for 8 to 10 minutes on each side. (20 minutes total)
- Transfer the sweet potatoes to a serving plate and top each with some goat cheese, walnuts and cranberries. Spoon a little honey and drizzle of balsamic glaze over each.
Do I Have to Use Sweet Potatoes?
No. You can russet potatoes and even butternut squash. However keep in mind the baking time mind change as the density is different for each of these. Also, personally for me, I just love the flavor of sweet potatoes.
Do Sweet Potatoes Have to be Peeled Before Cooking?
No. Whenever possible, keep the skins on. The skin adds nutrition such as fiber and potassium as well as texture.
How to Make Balsamic Reduction
Bring 1 cup of balsamic vinegar to boil in medium saucepan. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes until the balsamic is about ¼ cup and thicker.
You can also buy balsamic reduction to save time.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use a mandoline to give you consistent slices.
- If you aren't a fan of goat cheese, you can use fresh ricotta.
- Don’t skip out on roasting the walnuts. By roasting them they will stay crispy in the batter and bring out the flavor.
Other Appetizer Recipes
If you’ve tried these sweet potato rounds or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into ¼ inch slices
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 5 oz goat cheese
- ½ cup walnuts, roasted
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp balsamic reduction
- 3 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, sea salt and paprika. In large bowl toss the cut sweet potatoes with the paprika mixture, making sure everything is coated.
- Line large baking sheet with parchment paper and place the sweet potatoes in even layer. Bake the sweet potatoes for 8 to 10 minutes on each side. (20 minutes total)
- Transfer to a serving plate and top each with some goat cheese, walnuts and cranberries. Spoon a little honey and drizzle of balsamic glaze over each.
Notes
- Use a mandoline to give you consistent slices.
- If you aren't a fan of goat cheese, you can use fresh ricotta.
- Don’t skip out on roasting the walnuts. By roasting them they will stay crispy in the batter and bring out the flavor.
Love goat cheese!
Can you do in advance? Serve warm?
I've never made in advance but these taste just as good cold as warm so I imagine it would work ok.