What to Cook Now—Hot Honey Sweet Potatoes with Dates

This dish not only offers a satisfying mix of textures and flavors but is also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber—it’s a recipe that will leave you feeling so nourished and energized.

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants . The seeds add a boost of healthy fats and protein, while dates bring a natural sweetness along with essential minerals like potassium and magnesium.

Gather a handful of simple ingredients to make these hot honey sweet potatoes with dates:

• sweet potatoes
• olive oil
• seeds (I like a mix of sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds)
• butter
• dates
• honey
• Aleppo pepper
• arugula
• cilantro

1. The perfect potato. Opt for medium-sized sweet potatoes that will cook evenly. And feel free to experiment with any type of sweet potato! Classic orange potatoes or yams are naturally sweet and not too heavy, whereas Japanese sweet potatoes are a bit more dense and starchy (also delish). And for something that feels really elevated, opt for purple sweet potatoes. The vibrant, colorful presentation is stunning.
2. Ideal substitutions. If you can’t find Aleppo pepper, red pepper flakes work just as well but use a bit less to manage the heat. Feel free to sub any type of seed, or even slivered almonds, in place of the pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds I used here.
3. How to serve. This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted meats like this yogurt-marinated chicken . It can also stand alone as a hearty vegetarian main, with a green salad served alongside.

• 4 sweet potatoes
• Kosher salt
• Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 5 dates, pitted and quartered
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for sweet potatoes
• Pinch kosher salt
• Pinch Aleppo pepper (or sub with less red pepper flakes)
• 2 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
• Flaky salt

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Use a fork to prick the sweet potatoes a few times. Place on a baking sheet and pour ¼” water into the pan. Cover with foil and seal, then roast until tender, about an hour. Let cool.
3. In a small saucepan, heat the butter over low heat, along with the seeds, and cook just until butter and seeds begin to brown, 3 – 5 minutes. Stir in dates, olive oil, honey, salt, and Aleppo pepper. Remove from heat.
4. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, then add olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
5. Halve the potatoes lengthwise and then crosswise. (Each sweet potato will yield 4 pieces.) Sprinkle cut sides with a pinch of salt. Place sweet potatoes in pan, cut-side down.
6. Brown for 10 minutes in the pan. Transfer to a serving platter and top with seed mixture, arugula, cilantro, and flaky salt. Enjoy!

1. You can roast the sweet potatoes ahead of time and refrigerate, then char them and add your toppings just before serving.