Hot Maple Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Sweet, smoky, and kissed by the grill - this is the side dish that earns its place at the table without asking permission. The maple chipotle glaze caramelizes into something almost lacquered on the grill, and the flaky sea salt finish pulls every flavor into focus.
Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Total: 35 mins
Type: Vegetarian | Spice Level: 🌶🌶 Medium
Servings: 6 - 8 | Est. Cost: $10 - $14
Love at First Bite
The grill does something extraordinary to a sweet potato - it pulls the natural sugars to the surface, chars the edges into something smoky and complex, and creates a canvas that the maple chipotle glaze transforms into a deeply layered experience. Sweet, smoky, and finished with the kind of heat that settles in slowly, this dish delivers a flavor profile that feels both familiar and completely unexpected.
Origin Story
Sweet potatoes have fed and sustained communities across generations, from the fields of the South to Sunday tables across the country. This version takes that deep familiarity and runs it through the grill, layering in smoky chipotle heat and maple sweetness to create something that feels both rooted and entirely new.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
4 large sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Maple Chipotle Glaze:
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp chipotle powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the Chipotle Lime Crema:
½ cup sour cream
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
½ tsp chipotle powder
Pinch of kosher salt
Substitutions
Chipotle powder: ancho chili powder for a milder, earthier heat
Pure maple syrup: agave nectar for a lighter, more neutral sweetness
Unsalted butter: vegan butter for a fully plant-based version
Remix Notes
For a solo serving, grab one sweet potato and cut the glaze ingredients down to a single portion - it comes together in minutes and reheats beautifully the next day. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving cuts through the sweetness and adds a citrus lift that takes the whole dish somewhere unexpected.
How to Make
Heat grill to medium-high. Brush grates clean and oil lightly.
Make the chipotle lime crema: Whisk together sour cream, fresh lime juice, chipotle powder, and a pinch of kosher salt in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Make the maple chipotle glaze: Whisk together maple syrup, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, and melted butter in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
Season the sweet potatoes: Brush the cut sides generously with olive oil and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
Place sweet potatoes cut-side down on the grill. Cook 8-10 minutes until deep char marks form and the edges begin to caramelize.
Flip and brush the cut side generously with the maple chipotle glaze.
Cook an additional 8-10 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender all the way through.
Remove from grill and brush with another layer of glaze while still hot.
Drizzle chipotle lime crema over the sweet potatoes, finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt, and serve immediately.
Storage & Reheating
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat with a light brush of olive oil. The glaze reactivates beautifully with heat.
FAQ
Can I make this on a stovetop grill pan instead of an outdoor grill?
A cast iron grill pan works well. Heat it over medium-high, oil it lightly, and follow the same steps. The char marks won't be as dramatic but the glaze caramelizes just as beautifully.
How do I know when the sweet potato is fully cooked through on the grill?
Press the thickest part of the sweet potato with tongs or a fork. Full tenderness means the fork slides in with no resistance. If the outside is charring faster than the inside is cooking, move the sweet potato to a cooler part of the grill and let it finish over indirect heat.
Does this work in the oven?
Place sweet potato halves cut-side up on a lined baking sheet, brush generously with glaze, and roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. Brush with a second coat of glaze in the last 5 minutes for that lacquered finish.
