There’s something truly magical that happens when humble sweet potatoes meet bold blue cheese, a bit of honey, and a handful of toasted walnuts. Suddenly, you’ve got an appetizer with sweet potato that doesn’t just kick off the meal—it steals the spotlight.

These sweet potato bites are warm, melty, savory-sweet, and packed with texture in every single layer. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, plotting out the Thanksgiving table, or need a last-minute fall appetizer for your book club potluck, this one’s a total crowd-pleaser. The best part? You don’t need a culinary degree or a dozen specialty gadgets to pull this off. Just simple steps, a hot oven, and a little faith in the flavor gods.

A Word About Sweet Potatoes from California

Sweet potatoes may tantalize your taste buds, but how well do you understand them? There are some myths surrounding this root vegetable. First, it’s essential to note that a sweetpotato is NOT the same as a yam. It also differs from its standard potato counterparts, which are tubers. And get this: the word is actually sweetpotato. According to California Sweetpotatoes, “sweetpotato” is correct because their product is not, in fact, a sweet potato – it’s an entirely different vegetable.

CA GROWN Sweetpotatoes: The Secret Behind These Irresistible Appetizers

Let’s talk about the backbone of this dish: California sweetpotatoes. Thanks to California’s sunshine and warm, dry climate, sweetpotato vines grow lush and fast, with a longer season than almost anywhere else in the country.

Here’s where it gets even cooler: Unlike in other places where they’re grown, we cure our sweetpotatoes right in the soil while they’re still on the vine. No warehouse curing. No chemicals. Just good old-fashioned sun and dirt doing their thing. This natural vine-curing process not only extends shelf life, it concentrates the flavor—meaning every sweetpotato round in this dish is already doing heavy lifting in the taste department.

Also? These spuds are all about that personal touch. In California, sweetpotatoes are selected, sorted, and packed by hand. That extra care keeps them looking and tasting fresh, and minimizes scratches and bruises. It’s farm-to-baking-sheet perfection.

Let’s Break It Down: Layers of Flavor in Every Bite

This is not your average sweetpotato appetizer. Here’s why:

• Caramelized sweetpotato slices: Roasted until golden brown on the outside and buttery-soft in the center. Think sweet potato fans will flip for this texture.
• Garlic-infused broth: Halfway through roasting, a little broth goes over the top—turning your baking sheet into a flavor spa for those rounds.
• Blue cheese crumbles: Tangy, salty, melt-in-your-mouth magic.
• Toasted walnuts and/or pistachios: Adds crunch and toasty richness.
• Honey drizzle: Oh yes, that bit of honey takes it from delicious to downright luxurious.

Pro tip: If you’re serving this during the holiday season, don’t be afraid to go big with garnishes. Add pomegranate arils for a pop of color or some microgreens for that cheffy touch. It’ll look like it came straight out of a magazine.

Why This Is One of Our Favorite Appetizers for Fall (and Beyond)

This recipe hits all the right notes—it’s seasonal, it’s showy, it’s packed with CA GROWN goodness, and it’s made with ingredients you probably already have.

And for those of you building out your holiday dinner menu, this dish is a fun alternative to the usual starters. It’s got richness, sweetness, and that irresistible umami edge. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce new flavors to guests who might otherwise play it safe with a cheese plate.

A Fall Appetizer That Deserves the Spotlight

Whether it’s for your next Friendsgiving, a holiday dinner spread, or just because it’s Tuesday and you deserve something delicious, this appetizer with sweetpotato is one of those favorite appetizers that people remember—and request again and again.

So go on. Crank up that oven. Slice up some CA GROWN sweetpotatoes. And don’t forget that final honey drizzle. You’re about to serve up something unforgettable.

Want to get in the groove while making this appetizer? Check out this Spotify playlist from CA GROWN!

A Fresh Holiday Worthy Take On A Simple Appetizer With Sweetpotatoes That’ll Knock Your Socks Right Off!

Craving more delicious dishes? Check out our Pinterest for more CA GROWN recipes and ideas for innovative ways to use sweet potatoes in your kitchen.

Have your own recipe for appetizers with sweetpotato we should try? Snap a pic and tag us with #CAGROWN—we’d love to see what you’re cooking up.

Melting Sweetpotatoes with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Meg van der Kruik

This fall appetizer with sweet potato, blue cheese, and walnuts is your new go-to for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any celebration. Made with CA GROWN sweetpotatoes, it's rich, delicious, and easy to make in just a few simple steps.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 8 appetizers

Calories 318 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 3 lbs sweetpotatoes a mix of white, orange, and purple if desired
• 3 TBSP salted butter melted
• 3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ¼ tsp coarse kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced
• 1 ¼ cups vegetable broth or chicken broth if desired
• ½ cup toasted walnuts and/or pistachios roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 2-3 TBSP honey plus more to serve

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 500℉.
• Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1-inch-thick rounds. Arrange on a sheet pan with space between the slices to allow for air to circulate around the sweetpotatoes. Drizzle with the melted butter and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Turn and rotate the sweet potato slices so that all of each round is covered in the olive oil and butter mixture.
• Roast the sweetpotatoes for 15 minutes, or until the side of the rounds touching the sheet pan are caramelized and deep brown in color.
• Flip the rounds and return the pan to the oven for an additional 15 minutes. Flip again, then scatter the thinly sliced garlic over the top. Carefully pour the broth over the top of the sweetpotatoes and garlic, then return the pan to the oven to bake for another 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender throughout and the broth has reduced and thickened.
• Transfer the rounds to a serving platter, drizzle with the pan sauce if desired, then top each round with blue cheese crumbles, toasted walnut and/or pistachio pieces transfer the rounds to a serving platter, drizzle with the pan sauce if desired, then top each round with blue cheese crumbles, toasted walnuts, and/or pistachio pieces. Finally, drizzle with honey and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 703mgPotassium: 632mgFiber: 6gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 24387IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 1mg

Keyword appetizer, melting sweet potato, sweet potato, sweet potato appetizer, sweetpotato

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Here’s another appetizer with sweet potato + blue cheese to try:

California Sweet Potato Rounds with Blue Cheese

Perfectly roasted sweet potato rounds topped with tart Granny Smith apple slices and crumbled blue cheese, yes please! Our friends at Real California Milk sure know how to celebrate Happy Hour at home in style.