Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta (Easy Appetizer)

If you’re searching for an elegant yet effortless appetizer, these roasted sweet potato rounds with herbed ricotta will become your new signature dish. Their natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully in the oven, pairing perfectly with creamy, lemony ricotta and fresh herbs. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or building a holiday grazing board, this recipe delivers restaurant-level flavor with simple pantry ingredients.

Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Calories: ~165 per serving

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potato Rounds

• 2 large sweet potatoes, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder

For the Herbed Ricotta

• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely sliced
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Prep the sweet potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Toss the sweet potato rounds with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Roast: Spread in a single layer and bake for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway. They should be golden with lightly crisp edges.
3. Make the herbed ricotta: In a bowl, combine ricotta, lemon juice, zest, parsley, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until fluffy.
4. Assemble: Let the sweet potatoes cool slightly. Dollop 1–2 teaspoons of ricotta mixture onto each round.
5. Finish: Garnish with extra herbs, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Substitutions & Dietary Swaps

These roasted sweet potato rounds with herbed ricotta are naturally gluten-free and easy to adapt:

• Dairy-Free: Swap ricotta for whipped cashew cream or a dairy-free ricotta alternative.
• Herbs: Use basil, mint, thyme, or dill depending on the season.
• Sweet Potatoes: Japanese sweet potatoes add a nuttier flavor and firmer texture.
• Lemon: Replace with orange zest for a slightly sweeter twist.

Chef’s Pro Tips

• Slice sweet potatoes evenly to ensure uniform roasting.
• Let the ricotta sit for 10 minutes after mixing so flavors meld.
• For extra crispiness, roast on a metal baking sheet without parchment for the last 5 minutes.
• Whip the ricotta with a fork or small whisk for a lighter texture.
• Finish with flaky salt to elevate the flavors.

Make Ahead, Storage & Reheating

• Make Ahead: Roast the sweet potato rounds up to 24 hours in advance. Store separately from the ricotta mixture.
• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Warm the sweet potato bases in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8 minutes, then top with ricotta.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Sweet potatoes not crisping: Ensure they aren’t overlapping on the baking sheet.
• Ricotta too watery: Strain through cheesecloth for 15 minutes.
• Undercooked centers: Increase baking time by 3–5 minutes.
• Over-browning: Move rounds to the middle rack.

Flavor Pairings & Serving Suggestions

• 15-Minute Greek Roasted Garlic Spinach White Pizza Delight
  

Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta

These roasted sweet potato rounds with herbed ricotta are a simple yet elegant appetizer. Caramelized sweet potatoes are topped with creamy, lemony ricotta and fresh herbs for the perfect bite-sized party snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 165

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Sweet Potato Rounds

• 2 large sweet potatoes sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Herbed Ricotta Topping

• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta
• 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh chives thinly sliced
• 1 small garlic clove grated or finely minced
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

To Serve (Optional)

• extra chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or chives, for garnish
• extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Mixing bowl

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss the sweet potato rounds with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Roast for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until the sweet potatoes are tender with lightly crisped, caramelized edges. Let cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, make the herbed ricotta: in a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, chives, garlic, salt and black pepper. Stir or whisk until smooth and fluffy.
5. Top each roasted sweet potato round with 1–2 teaspoons of herbed ricotta.
6. Garnish with extra fresh herbs and a light drizzle of olive oil, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For the best texture, roast the sweet potatoes until the edges are deeply golden and just starting to crisp. You can make the roasted sweet potato bases and herbed ricotta a few hours in advance and assemble just before serving.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought ricotta?

Yes! whole-milk ricotta works best for creaminess and structure.

Do the rounds stay crispy?

They stay crisp at the edges, though the centers remain tender (as intended).

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Add red pepper flakes to the ricotta or sprinkle chili powder on the sweet potatoes.

Is this appetizer good for meal prep?

Absolutely. Roast ahead and assemble fresh for best texture.

What herbs work best?

Parsley and chives keep it bright, but dill and basil are excellent alternatives.

Can I serve these cold?

They’re best warm or room temperature, but can be chilled if needed.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! use two baking sheets to avoid crowding.

Conclusion

These roasted sweet potato rounds with herbed ricotta are the ideal blend of sweet, savory, creamy, and fresh. Whether plated for a party or enjoyed as a wholesome snack, they highlight simple ingredients at their best. Save this recipe, share it, and keep it in your rotation whenever you need a stunning, stress-free appetizer.