If you’re craving a dish that’s vibrant, comforting, and packed with wholesome ingredients, this Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe will quickly become a household favorite. The roasted sweet potatoes bring a velvety sweetness that pairs beautifully with tender chickpeas, while crunchy walnuts glazed in maple syrup add that irresistible texture and depth of flavor. It’s a dish that feels nourishing yet indulgent all at once, perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a festive gathering.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A baking tray filled with a mix of roasted cubed orange sweet potatoes, light brown chickpeas, and walnut halves. The sweet potatoes have a slight char on some edges, giving a textured look, mixed evenly with the smooth, round chickpeas and the rough, uneven walnuts. A wooden spoon is placed on the right side of the tray, touching the roasted mix. The tray rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe plays a vital role, whether it’s creating contrast in texture, adding a sweet or savory note, or contributing beautiful color. These simple components come together effortlessly for a dish that shines on its own or as part of a bigger meal.

Sweet potatoes: Their natural sweetness and creamy texture form the base of the salad, making it hearty and satisfying.
Shallots: Provide a mild onion flavor that becomes mellow and sweet when roasted.
Rosemary or thyme: Fresh herbs add fragrant, earthy undertones to the dish.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the natural flavors.
Olive oil: Helps roast the veggies perfectly while adding richness.
Chickpeas: Offer protein and a lovely nutty flavor, complementing the soft sweet potatoes.
Whole walnuts: Bring a satisfying crunch and, when roasted with maple syrup, a sticky sweetness that balances the salad.
Maple syrup: Adds a beautiful glaze to the walnuts and a subtle, warm sweetness throughout.
Cooked quinoa (optional): Boosts the meal’s heartiness and texture if you want to serve this salad as a main dish.
Baby kale (optional): Brings fresh, leafy greens that lighten and add color to the dish.
Dressing of choice: Customize the salad’s flavor profile to your liking, whether tangy vinaigrette or creamy dressing.

How to Make Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Roast Sweet Potatoes and Shallots

Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into uniform pieces so they roast evenly. Toss them on a large baking sheet along with the roughly chopped shallots and your choice of fresh rosemary or thyme. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle a pinch of salt over everything, then give it a good toss until everything is well-coated. Roast this mix for 20 minutes to let the sweet potatoes soften and the shallots caramelize, releasing their natural sweetness.

Step 2: Add Chickpeas and Continue Roasting

Once the initial roasting is done, open a can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed) and add them directly to the pan. Stir everything to combine, making sure the chickpeas mix in with the roasting vegetables and the herbs. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 20 minutes. This allows the chickpeas to crisp up slightly and soak up the lovely flavors from the pan.

Step 3: Roast Walnuts with Maple Syrup

While the chickpeas and sweet potatoes continue to roast, toss the whole walnuts with maple syrup and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl. After the 20 minutes are up, add these sticky, sweet walnuts to the pan, mixing everything thoroughly. Give it one last roast for about 5 minutes so the walnuts get toasted and glossy. This final step brings a wonderful crunch and a hint of maple sweetness that makes this salad truly stand out.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Remove the herb stems before serving so no one gets an unexpected bite of woody rosemary or thyme. This Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe can be served warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with cooked quinoa and fresh baby kale for a colorful, nutritious, and hearty meal. Pour over your favorite dressing to tie all the flavors together perfectly.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe

The image shows three clear square containers filled with layered food on a white marbled surface. Each container has a bottom layer of light-colored quinoa with small black seeds. On one side, there are bright green fresh leaves resembling lettuce. Above the quinoa and greens, there is a thick layer of roasted orange sweet potato cubes mixed with golden brown roasted chickpeas. The top of each serving is drizzled with a creamy pale sauce. The overall look is colorful with orange, green, light brown, and cream colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate the salad further, consider garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or chives, a sprinkle of toasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for extra crunch, or even a few crumbles of feta cheese to add a tangy contrast. These little touches make the dish feel special and inviting.

Side Dishes

This salad is hearty enough to shine as a main dish but also pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or even a simple green soup for a full meal. The sweet potatoes and walnuts give it comfort-food vibes, while the chickpeas make it filling and protein-packed.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve this salad layered in a glass jar or in lettuce wraps for individual portions at a picnic or potluck. You could also turn it into a warm bowl topped with a fried egg or drizzle with tahini sauce to add another layer of flavor and texture.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s perfect for prepping ahead to enjoy healthy lunches or quick dinners during your busy week.

Freezing

While you can freeze the roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas separately, the walnuts with maple syrup can become too soft after freezing and thawing. We recommend freezing components separately if needed and combining fresh walnuts when ready to serve for best texture.

Reheating

Reheat this salad gently in the oven or microwave, stirring occasionally to warm evenly. Adding a splash of water or olive oil before reheating can help maintain moisture. Alternatively, enjoy it cold or at room temperature for a refreshing taste experience.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?

Absolutely! Pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts make delicious alternatives. Just adjust the roasting time slightly depending on the nut’s size to avoid burning.

Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?

Yes! The Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe is naturally vegan, but be sure to choose a vegan-friendly dressing to keep it fully plant-based.

What dressing pairs best with this salad?

A tangy lemon vinaigrette, balsamic glaze, or a creamy tahini dressing all complement the sweet and savory flavors of the salad wonderfully. Feel free to experiment to find your favorite match.

Can I prep this salad in advance for a party?

Definitely! You can roast the potatoes, chickpeas, and walnuts a day ahead and assemble the salad just before serving. Keep the dressing separate until the last minute to avoid sogginess.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

Dried rosemary or thyme can be used but add them sparingly before roasting as fresh herbs release more aromatic oils. Alternatively, fresh parsley added after roasting brings a bright note.

Final Thoughts

Trust me when I say this Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe will become your go-to for an effortless, crowd-pleasing dish. It’s the kind of recipe that brings warmth and comfort with each bite while feeling light and fresh. So go ahead, roast up those sweet potatoes, and dive into this deliciously balanced salad — your taste buds will thank you!

Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

How to Make Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Walnuts, and Maple Syrup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Roast Sweet Potatoes and Shallots