Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Prepare the sweet potato mixture: In a large bowl, toss the diced sweet potatoes and chickpeas with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Roast the sweet potato and chickpeas: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and slightly caramelized. Stir halfway through for even cooking.
- Make the avocado cream: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, prepare the avocado cream. In a medium bowl, mash the avocados with lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt until smooth.
Assemble the canapés:
- Once roasted, remove the sweet potato and chickpea mixture from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Using a fork or small spoon, form small bite-sized mounds of the roasted mixture on a serving platter.
Top each bite:
- Add a dollop of avocado cream on top of each mound.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds and fresh cilantro leaves for color and flavor.
- Serve immediately while warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Here are some creative variations for the Spiced Sweet Potato and Chickpea Bites with Avocado Cream canapé recipe:
- Curried Sweet Potato and Chickpea Fritters
- Add 1 tablespoon of curry powder to the sweet potato and chickpea mixture.
- Serve with a mango chutney instead of avocado cream for a sweet and spicy contrast.
- Mediterranean Sweet Potato Bites
- Mix in 100g of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 50g of feta cheese into the sweet potato and chickpea mixture.
- Top with a dollop of tzatziki sauce instead of avocado cream.
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bites
- Substitute chickpeas with black beans (200g) for a different flavor profile.
- Serve with a cilantro-lime crema made from blended avocado, lime juice, and fresh cilantro.
- Smoky Chipotle Sweet Potato Bites
- Add 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder to the sweet potato mixture for a smoky flavor.
- Top with a drizzle of chipotle mayo instead of avocado cream.
- Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Canapés
- Replace the avocado cream with whipped goat cheese mixed with honey and lemon zest.
- Garnish with crushed walnuts for added texture.
- Sweet Potato and Quinoa Bites
- Mix in 100g of cooked quinoa into the sweet potato and chickpea mixture for extra protein.
- Serve with a lemon-tahini dressing instead of avocado cream.
- Asian-Inspired Sweet Potato Bites
- Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the mixture.
- Top with a spicy sriracha mayo for an Asian twist.
- Sweet Potato and Spinach Feta Bites
- Incorporate 100g of sautéed spinach and 50g of crumbled feta cheese into the mixture.
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction for added flavor.
- Sweet Potato and Pesto Bites
- Mix in 30g of basil pesto into the sweet potato mixture for an herby flavor.
- Top with pine nuts for crunch.
- Sweet Potato Nacho Bites
- Cut the sweet potatoes into thin rounds, roast them, and use them as a base.
- Top with black beans, shredded cheese, jalapeños, and serve with guacamole instead of avocado cream.
