Fondant Sweet Potatoes

what are fondant potatoes?

Fondant potatoes are a classic French technique that turns humble potatoes into something luxurious. Typically made with white potatoes, they’re browned in butter, then slowly roasted in broth until the centers turn creamy.

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

This Fondant Sweet Potatoes recipe takes everything irresistible about classic fondant potatoes and gives it a warm, Louisiana-inspired twist.

Thick-cut rounds of sweet potato are first seared until golden, then roasted in Cajun-seasoned broth and butter so the centers turn unbelievably creamy. The result is a restaurant-worthy side dish that looks elegant on the plate but couldn’t be easier to make at home.

This Fondant Sweet Potatoes recipe is:

• Impressive! Thick, golden seared slices look elegant and restaurant-worthy with almost no effort.
• Easy, even for a novice cook! Once they’re seared and in the oven, the oven does the work.
• No added sugar! This melting sweet potato recipe is perfect for people who need to watch their sugar intake, so everyone at the table can enjoy it.
• Prep-ahead friendly! Can be prepped a day ahead of time and refrigerated.

How to Make fondant sweet potatoes:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Fondant Sweet Potato recipe. The exact quantities are on the recipe card below.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Sweet Potatoes: Use four medium sweet potatoes that are similar size and shape so the rounds are all approximately the same shape, ensuring even cooking. Choose sweet potatoes that are smooth and firm with no soft spots.
• Olive Oil: Use extra-virgin olive oil. Can also use canola, avocado or grapeseed oil.
• Vegetable Broth: If you’re not a frequent user of liquid vegetable broth, keeping a good vegetable “base” (concentrate) in your refrigerator lets you make just what you need when you need it. You can also use chicken broth, but vegetable broth keeps this recipe vegetarian and makes it easily vegan with plant-based butter.
• Butter: I always use unsalted butter in cooking and baking so I can better control the salt level in a dish. Use plant-based butter to make it vegan.
• Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning is a bold blend of white, black, and cayenne peppers with paprika, onion, celery, and garlic. Creole seasoning is milder and more herb-forward with oregano, bay leaf, basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and paprika. My Blackening Seasoning is also a great choice for this melting potatoes recipe.
• Fresh Thyme and Rosemary: Fresh is best; dried is not a good substitute. If you don’t have or don’t want to purchase, leave them out and sprinkle with a little chopped fresh Italian parsley at the end for an herbal note.

• Gather and prep all the ingredients for the melting sweet potatoes recipe.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. In a small bowl, combine the broth, Cajun seasoning, cayenne (if using), and garlic. Set aside.

2. Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch cast-iron or other heavy, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season the potatoes with salt and black pepper. Place the sweet potato slices in the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until lightly browned.

3. Pour the broth mixture over the sweet potatoes.

4. Dot each slice with a cube of butter. Nestle the thyme and rosemary sprigs between the potatoes.

5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a paring knife.

6. Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Transfer the potatoes to a serving platter, spoon the buttery pan sauce over them, and garnish with chopped fresh thyme or thyme leaves, if desired.

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• Choose sweet potatoes that have a uniform width so they cook evenly. Likewise, slice the sweet potatoes evenly, approximately 1 inch. The fondant method requires thick slices to achieve the creamy center without falling apart.
• Roast uncovered so excess moisture evaporates, but check the broth level while the potatoes are roasting. If your oven runs hot or the pan is large, you may need to add a splash more broth.

Serve with:

• Baked Cajun Chicken Drumsticks
• Cajun-Smothered Pork Medallions
• Bloody Mary Skirt Steak
• Chili-Glazed Meatloaf

More great sweet potato recipes you’ll love!

• Sweet Potato Souffle
• Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges with Cilantro Cashew Sauce
• Sweet Potato Galette
• Sweet Potato Latkes

Get all my potato side dish recipes at Potato Side Dish Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.