If you’re on the hunt for an appetizer that’ll totally steal the show at your next get-together, look no further than these unforgettable lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce. Imagine tender, caramelized sweet potato rounds piled high with gooey brie, ruby cranberries, and toasted walnuts, all brought together by a tangy, just-spicy-enough pineapple-infused glaze. It’s an irresistible combination of flavors and textures—sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy, and a tiny bit zesty. You’re going to fall in love with how the sweet chili pineapple sauce makes every bite sing!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce recipe serves a delicious purpose, coming together for a vibrant, colorful, and totally craveable bite. These are pantry-friendly, yet each one packs a flavor punch!
- Sweet potatoes: These slices roast up caramelized and sturdy enough to hold all your toppings—plus their orange hue is an instant mood-lifter.
- Olive oil: Helps the sweet potatoes crisp and brown beautifully while layering in a subtle fruitiness.
- Salt: Essential for balancing the natural sweetness and making every bite pop.
- Black pepper: A little heat and depth to keep things interesting.
- Cinnamon (optional): Adds warmth and an autumnal coziness, if you’re feeling it.
- Brie cheese: Melts into creamy puddles on top of the hot sweet potatoes for the ultimate rich finish.
- Dried cranberries: Tart and chewy, they bring a jewel-like burst of flavor to each round—go for fresh if you can find them!
- Walnuts: Toasted for extra nuttiness and crunch, these are the lnuts highlight!
- Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional): Lends a hit of freshness and an herbal finish that plays beautifully with the richness.
- Sweet chili sauce: The base of your zippy, slightly spicy glaze.
- Pineapple juice: Adds tangy, tropical sweetness.
- Honey: Balances out the heat and acidity with mellow sweetness.
- Soy sauce (or a pinch of salt): Gives you that essential savory umami.
- Lime juice: Punches up the brightness.
- Grated fresh ginger (optional): Delivers a gentle, peppery zip.
How to Make lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Slice your sweet potatoes into uniform ¼-inch rounds, toss them in olive oil, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon if you want a hint of warmth. Spread them out evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer—crucial for roasting rather than steaming! Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden, caramelized, and fork-tender but still sturdy.
Step 2: Toast the Walnuts
While your sweet potato slices are in the oven, grab a dry skillet and set it over medium heat. Add your chopped walnuts and toast, tossing often, for 3–4 minutes until they’re golden and fragrant. Don’t walk away—they can go from perfect to burnt quickly! This step brings out that signature nutty aroma and deeper flavor, making the lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce extra special.
Step 3: Make the Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce
Combine sweet chili sauce, pineapple juice, honey, soy sauce (or a pinch of salt), lime juice, and ginger if you’re feeling zesty in a small pot. Simmer on low for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s slightly thickened and glossy. The sauce should be pourable and fragrant. Keep it warm so it’s ready to drizzle at assembly time.
Step 4: Add Brie & Toast
Once your sweet potatoes are roasted and beautifully golden, top each round with a piece of brie cheese. Slide them back into the oven for just 3–4 minutes—just long enough to let the brie soften into a decadent, gooey blanket over the potatoes without melting completely away.
Step 5: Assemble
Now the fun part! While the sweet potato rounds are still warm, scatter them generously with dried cranberries and those crunchy, freshly toasted walnuts. Drizzle each bite with your homemade sweet chili pineapple sauce, letting it pool over the toppings and down the sides. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary if you’d like. Your lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce are now ready to wow the crowd!
How to Serve lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce
Garnishes
Go bold with your garnishes—the herbs truly make these rounds pop. A shower of fresh thyme adds citrusy brightness while rosemary brings a piney note. You can even add a little extra sprinkle of toasted walnuts or a dusting of cinnamon for more aroma and crunch.
Side Dishes
These lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce are stars on an appetizer platter, but they pair beautifully with fresh green salads, roasted vegetable medleys, or a light soup on the side. Try serving with a citrusy arugula salad, or keep things festive with sparkly, tart beverages.
Creative Ways to Present
Set these beauties out on a wooden board, or line them up in neat rows on a white platter so the colors and textures can truly shine. For a party, try making mini sweet potato rounds and arranging them in a wreath shape, or stack them in individual cups for easy, single-serve fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (rare, but possible!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce keep well, though the sweet potatoes may soften as they sit, and you might want to store the sauce separately to drizzle fresh before serving.
Freezing
You can freeze the roasted sweet potato rounds and toasted walnuts separately in airtight bags for up to a month. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reassembling. The fresh toppings and sauce are best added just before serving to keep flavors bright and textures fresh.
Reheating
To reheat, spread the assembled rounds on a baking sheet and warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes, or until heated through and the brie is melty again. Add fresh sauce and herbs after reheating to preserve their bold, zippy flavors.
FAQs
Can I use a different cheese instead of brie?
Absolutely! Camembert is a close, creamy cousin to brie, or you could use goat cheese for tang or creamy Havarti for a mild twist. Just avoid cheeses that won’t melt nicely.
Are there nut-free alternatives for the walnuts?
Yes—sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even toasted coconut flakes can provide crunch without nuts, so everyone can enjoy lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce worry-free.
Is the sweet chili pineapple sauce very spicy?
It has just the right amount of warmth for most palates, but you can control the heat by using a milder sweet chili sauce or adjusting the ratio. Adding a little extra honey also tempers any spice.
Can I make these vegan?
Swap in your favorite plant-based brie or soft vegan cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey in the sauce. The rest of the ingredients are naturally plant-based, so everyone gets to join in.
Will the sweet potatoes get soggy if made in advance?
They stay quite sturdy, but for the freshest results, roast the rounds ahead and wait to top and assemble your lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce until just before serving. Rewarming crisps them right back up!
Final Thoughts
These lnuts with a Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce are a festive, flavor-packed treat that always brings a round of applause. They’re simple, indulgent, and guaranteed to be the highlight of your appetizer table. Gather your favorite people and enjoy every vibrant, melty, crunchy bite!