Slow Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Garlic Chickpeas and Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe
A comforting and flavorful dish featuring slow-roasted sweet potatoes paired with spicy garlic chickpeas and a creamy blue cheese sauce. This recipe balances the natural sweetness of caramelized sweet potatoes with the bold spice of roasted chickpeas and the tangy richness of blue cheese, garnished with fresh herbs for a vibrant, nutritious, and visually stunning meal perfect for any time of day.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Gluten Free
Sweet Potatoes
- 2–3 medium firm sweet potatoes
Spicy Garlic Chickpeas
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Blue Cheese Sauce
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Pierce the sweet potatoes a few times with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. Slow roast for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender and caramelized, allowing their natural sweetness to develop fully.
- Roast the Chickpeas: While the sweet potatoes cook, drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly, then pat dry. Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread them in a single layer on a baking tray and roast at 400°F (205°C) for 20-25 minutes. Shake the pan halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness and spice coating.
- Make the Blue Cheese Sauce: In a small bowl, crumble the blue cheese and mix with olive oil and lemon juice until creamy and pourable. Season with salt and pepper to taste, balancing the tanginess and richness.
- Assemble and Serve: Once the sweet potatoes are done, slice them open or cut into chunks. Top with the spicy garlic chickpeas, drizzle generously with the blue cheese sauce, and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro for brightness.
Notes
- Low and Slow: Be patient while roasting sweet potatoes to develop deep caramelization and tender texture.
- Dry Chickpeas: Pat chickpeas dry before roasting to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Balance Your Sauce: Taste blue cheese sauce as you prepare it to keep it creamy but not overpowering.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds vivid flavor that garlic powder can’t replicate.
- Garnish Last: Add fresh herbs right before serving to keep them vibrant and fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: slow roasted sweet potatoes, spicy garlic chickpeas, blue cheese sauce, roasted chickpeas, healthy vegetarian recipe, easy baked sweet potatoes, gluten free appetizer