Sweet Potato Fondant
Sweet Potato Fondant is a gourmet side dish with caramelized, tender-on-the-inside sweet potatoes that are seared and slowly cooked in butter and stock until they reach a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The outer layer is beautifully golden and crisp, while the inside remains velvety smooth, making it perfect for holidays or special dinners. The fondant technique infuses them with rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavors, creating an elegant yet comforting addition to any meal.
Equipment
- Large skillet or cast iron pan
- Oven-safe pan or baking dish
- Tongs or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Basting spoon
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 2-inch rounds
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary
- 1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock for a vegetarian option
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup optional for added sweetness
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes:
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thick, uniform rounds (about 2 inches tall). Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Sweet Potatoes:
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the sweet potato rounds in a single layer. Sear for about 4-5 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and sear the other side for another 4-5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics:
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the crushed garlic and thyme (or rosemary) to the pan. Baste the sweet potatoes with the melted butter mixture using a spoon to ensure the flavor penetrates.
- Deglaze and Transfer to Oven:
- Pour the chicken stock (or vegetable stock) into the pan, deglazing any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add honey or maple syrup, if using, for a touch of sweetness. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C).
- Roast Until Tender:
- Roast the sweet potatoes in the oven for 20-25 minutes, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until they are fork-tender and caramelized.
- Serve:
- Carefully remove the pan from the oven, and baste the sweet potatoes once more with the buttery sauce. Discard the garlic and herbs before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
- Details:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Searing and Roasting
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian (with vegetable stock)
- Keywords:
- Sweet potato fondant, caramelized sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, gourmet side dish, fondant potatoes, holiday side dish
- Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Serving Size: 1 round (about 200g)
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: ~250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Notes
For a vegan option, use plant-based butter and vegetable stock.
Honey or maple syrup is optional but adds a delicious caramelized sweetness.
If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried thyme or rosemary can work as a substitute, though fresh herbs give a better aroma.
You can experiment by adding a dash of cinnamon or smoked paprika to complement the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Honey or maple syrup is optional but adds a delicious caramelized sweetness.
If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried thyme or rosemary can work as a substitute, though fresh herbs give a better aroma.
You can experiment by adding a dash of cinnamon or smoked paprika to complement the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.