Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of sweet potatoes. However, my Momma is visiting for Thanksgiving this year and I know sweet potatoes are one of her favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. So, I decided go a little fancy with this Fondant Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows recipe. The sweet potatoes are super crispy on the outside, and words cannot even describe the texture on the outside. A definite must-try!
Naturally, I created a short TikTok video creating this fabulous sweet potato side dish. Be sure to check it out in the recipe below. If you have not yet signed up for this social media platform, use my code 5SSIS800K0H06 to create an account.
WHAT ARE FONDANT POTATOES
As mentioned above, this is where the fancy comes in. Well, kinda. Fondant potatoes is a French cooking technique or method of preparing potatoes. In this case, sweet potatoes. Potatoes are cut into a cylindrical shape, browned on both sides, then transferred to a hot oven and roasted with stock, butter and quite often, fresh herbs.
Once you have a taste of these Fondant potatoes, you will understand why they are often referred to as “melting potatoes.” Seriously, once you try this recipe for Fondant Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows, you will understand why this term is used. Upon roasting, the sweet potatoes will absorb the hot broth while maintaining their integrity on the outside. Truly, an unbelievable culinary experience.
WHAT KIND OF POTATOES FOR FONDANT
Honestly, a russet, or Idaho potato will work beautifully. However, for this amazing side dish recipe, we will be substituting with sweet potatoes.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SWEET POTATOES AND YAMS
Did you know that what you really thought were yams, probably were not? Truth is, the term yams and sweet potatoes have been used interchangeably, or maybe even in the wrong way for a long time. So, that orange root vegetable that everyone is telling you is a yam…it’s really a sweet potato!
Although yams can be found in the international grocery section of some grocery stores, they are really more scare than you may think. Test me…go on to your local market and see if you can spot one.
Just because the names are used to refer to either variety, yams and sweet potatoes are NOT even related, and are not good substitutes for one another in recipes.
FIRM AND SOFT SWEET POTATOES
These Fondant Sweet Potatoes were made using the softer variety of sweet potatoes (this is the one often referred to as a yam in most grocery stores). The whiter variety of sweet potato has a firm flesh and are usually paler in color. I have not tested out this sweet potato recipe using the firmer potatoes. If you do, let me know!
TIPS ON MAKING THE BEST FONDANT SWEET POTATOES WITH TOASTED MARSHMALLOWS AND MAPLE BUTTER WALNUTS
The BEST tip I can give you about making this fabulous sweet potato dish, is to use a cast iron pan! The cast iron pan easily transfers to the oven for roasting and easily creates the most perfect crust on the sweet potatoes. So, call this a one-pan wonder side dish! Here are a few more tips to ensure these Fondant Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows and Maple Butter Walnuts comes out perfectly, every single time:
- cut the sweet potatoes in even, cylindrical pieces
- use a cast iron pan, if possible
- get a nice brown on both sides of the potatoes before pouring in the stock
- stock should be heated
- keep a close eye on the marshmallows under the broiler…they can burn really quickly (as an alternative, use a kitchen torch)
- allow the walnut mixture to thicken…but not too much (should be pourable)
- cover the sweet potato stacks with the maple butter nut mixture upon serving
LEFTOVER SWEET POTATOES
Store leftover fondant sweet potatoes sans the maple butter walnut mixture in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days. The sweet marshmallow treats can be reheated easily in the oven, or microwave. Freezing is not recommended given the delicate texture of the sweet potato.
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FONDANT SWEET POTATOES WITH TOASTED MARSHMALLOWS AND MAPLE BUTTER WALNUTS
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Get a little fancy with this Fondant Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows recipe. The sweet potatoes are super crispy on the outside and the texture on the outside cannot be experienced with words. A definite must-try!
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes (orange in color)
- 4 tablespoons butter, plus
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 5 to 6 jumbo marshmallows, sliced in half
FOR THE MAPLE BUTTER WALNUTS:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°.
- Peel the sweet potatoes.
- Cut into even, cylindrical pieces.
- Heat up a cast iron pan with four tablespoons of butter, olive oil, garlic and thyme.
- Allow the garlic/thyme to infuse the butter/oil for just a few minutes (do not brown).
- Remove and reserve the garlic and thyme.
- Place the sweet potatoes in the pan.
- Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Heat the broth in a stock pot.
- Brown both sides of the sweet potatoes.
- Remove the potatoes onto a platter as they brown.
- Once all the potatoes have browned and been removed from the pan, clean the pan.
- Add back the potatoes, garlic and thyme to the clean pan.
- Pour in the hot stock (stock should just cover the potatoes about halfway).
- Top each sweet potato with a tiny pat of butter.
- Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes.
- In a separate pan, heat to medium-high all of the ingredients for the maple butter walnuts.
- Cook until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven.
- Top each potato with a slice of marshmallow.
- Broil until the marshmallow turns golden brown (this will happen quickly).
- Plate individual portions of the fondant sweet potatoes.
- Drizzle with the maple butter walnuts.
- Garnish with fresh thyme (optional).
- ENJOY!
Equipment
Notes
SEE POST FOR NOTES!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces
Keywords: how to make fondant sweet potatoes, sweet potato recipe ideas, what is the difference between a yam and a sweet potato, sweet potato recipes for Thanksgiving, sweet potato casserole recipes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows recipe, Thanksgiving side dish recipes, Thanksgiving side dish ideas, how to roast sweet potatoes
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2 Comments
When do you add the marshmallows?
Hello Emily! Once you remove the potatoes from the oven add the marshmallows and broil quickly to brown or you can use a torch!