Roasted sweet potato rounds topped with tangy goat cheese, balsamic-kissed cranberries, crunchy almonds, and a drizzle of honey… these little festive bites bring all the holiday cheer in one easy, wholesome appetizer.
It’s basically an open-face holiday cheer sammie with all the right goods in all the right places. If you’re the type who happily turns appetizers into an entire meal (hard relate), this recipe will fit right into your seasonal rotation.
And if you’ve made my Sweet Potato Rounds with Guacamole and Bacon or the Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta and Walnuts, then you already know the magic of using caramelized sweet potato as a “cracker.”
Let’s break it all down.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
For anyone entertaining during the holidays and needing a last-minute appetizer that’s fun, festive, healthy, and genuinely simple… this one ticks all the boxes. It’s naturally gluten-free, easily adaptable, and the flavors are bright, cozy, and seasonal all at once.
The roasted sweet potatoes get caramelized and crisp around the edges, the goat cheese adds creamy tang, and the balsamic-roasted cranberries bring that sweet-tart pop that wakes everything up. Add crunchy honey-roasted almonds and a drizzle of honey to finish, and you’ve got a beautifully balanced bite.
It’s a great option for a mixed crowd too: gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and easily adaptable for dairy-free eaters (we’re using goat cheese, remember). Perfect for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or any holiday gathering where finger food reigns supreme.
Here are a few more reasons to love it:
- Sweet + savory flavor magic
- All the textures: creamy, crunchy, soft, crispy
- Vibrant and festive on any table
- Impressive without being high-maintenance
- Great for make-ahead prep
- Naturally gluten-free
Ingredients for Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese
Sweet potatoes: The perfect gluten-free “cracker” base, sweet potato slices make an excellent caravan for tasty ingredients like goat cheese and tangy cranberries.
Goat cheese: Adds creamy, tangy richness. Feta, cream cheese, ricotta, or cashew cheese all work well here.
Cranberries: Fresh or frozen, both work. Roasted with balsamic and honey, they turn jammy and festive to celebrate the holiday season.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds tang and depth to the cranberries. You can substitute apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar with a touch more honey or maple syrup to balance the tang.
Orange zest + orange juice: Brightens up the cranberry layer with fresh citrus flavor.
Olive oil: Helps everything roast up and enhances flavor.
Cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth that ties everything together.
Honey: Used in both the cranberries and as a drizzle at the end, adds that sweet holiday finish. Maple syrup works great, too.
Sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances every layer.
Honey roasted almonds: Add the essential crunch! You can also use candied pecans, walnuts, or pistachios, or pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
How to Make Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese and Roasted Cranberries
Start by preparing the balsamic roasted cranberries. Preheat the oven to 425°F and whisk together the balsamic vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, olive oil, sea salt, and cinnamon. Add the cranberries to a small casserole dish, pour the mixture over them, and stir to coat.
Cover with foil and bake for about 15 minutes, until softened. Remove the foil, stir in the honey, and let the mixture stand for 10 minutes so it thickens into a chutney-like consistency.
Note: You can also stew the cranberries in a saucepan instead of roasting them if you prefer. Set the jammy cranberries aside and reduce the oven temperature to 400°F.
Next, roast the sweet potato rounds. Lightly coat the slices with olive oil, arrange them on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer, sprinkle with sea salt, and roast for 15 to 18 minutes.
Flip each piece and continue roasting for another 10 to 15 minutes, until golden and tender. Remove from the oven.
To assemble, turn the oven off but keep the door closed so it stays warm. Spread each sweet potato slice with ½ to 1 tablespoon of goat cheese, top with a spoonful of roasted cranberries, and place the rounds into the warm oven for 5 to 10 minutes to heat through.
Finish with honey-roasted almonds and a drizzle of honey.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftover rounds in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
- Make ahead: Roast the sweet potatoes and cranberries a day in advance. Assemble just before serving.
- Room temperature: These taste great even slightly cooled, making them perfect for parties and potlucks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, roast the sweet potatoes and cranberries a day in advance. When you’re ready to serve, just assemble and warm them in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
Yep! They taste great at room temperature or even slightly chilled, making them perfect for parties.
Garnish with fresh thyme, orange zest, or a drizzle of reduced balsamic glaze for that holiday-party flair.
Absolutely, just roast everything in batches. The recipe scales easily, so you can make as many rounds as you need.
Looking for different ways of enjoying your sweet potato appetizer? Here are some ideas.
Recipe Adaptations and Additions
- Nut swap – Try chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios instead of almonds.
- Vegan option – Use dairy-free cream cheese or a cashew spread and swap honey for maple syrup or agave.
- Citrus twist – Garnish with a sprinkle of orange or lemon zest to brighten every bite.
- Spicy kick – Add a pinch of cayenne or red chili flakes to the cranberries for a little heat.
- Savory variation – Mix a touch of garlic or cracked black pepper into the goat cheese for a more savory profile.
- Make it mini – Use small sweet potatoes or cut larger slices in half for bite-sized appetizers.
- Charcuterie upgrade – Serve the components (roasted potatoes, goat cheese, cranberries, almonds) on a board for a deconstructed version, great for grazing tables!
What to Serve with Sweet Potato Rounds
These bites shine all on their own, but if you’re setting up a holiday spread, they pair beautifully with:
- Massaged Kale Salad with Rosemary Walnuts and Blueberry Vinaigrette
- Crispy Roasted Greek Lemon Potatoes
- Baked Feta Pasta (Gluten-Free)
- Keto Cheesecake (Dairy-Free)
And that’s it! The perfect side dish to serve with your holiday meals to add some festive flavor to the mix. If you’re looking for more fun appetizer recipes, also try out these reader favorites!
Other Holiday Appetizers to Try
- Maple Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dried Cranberries
- Baked Feta Dip with Fig Jam and Pecans
- Garlic Herb Roasted Vegetables
- Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta and Walnuts
The perfect blend of sweet cranberries, creamy goat cheese and hearty sweet potatoes, this easy appetizer is bursting with holiday flavor for your Thanksgiving table!
Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese and Roasted Cranberries
Ingredients
For the Roasted Cranberries
- 1-½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch sea salt
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
Prepare the Balsamic Roasted Cranberries:
- Preheat the oven or oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, olive oil, sea salt and cinnamon.
- Add the cranberries to a small casserole dish, pour the balsamic mixture over the cranberries, and stir to combine. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until softened. Remove foil, add honey, and stir well. Let stand 10 minutes then stir again. At this point, the cranberries should lose their form, the juices should thicken, and mixture should look like chutney/jam. Set aside until ready to use. Decrease oven heat to 400 degrees F to roast the sweet potato slices.
Roast the Sweet Potato Rounds:
- Lightly coat the slices of sweet potato with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and roast 15 to 18 minutes, until golden. Carefully flip and roast another 10 to 15 minutes, or until rounds reach desired done-ness or crisp. Remove from the oven and assemble the appetizer.
Make the Appetizer:
- Turn off the oven but leave the door closed so that it stays hot.
- Spread between ½ and 1 tablespoon of goat cheese on each sweet potato round, then top with a spoonful of roasted cranberries. Place in the still-warm oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until heated through.
- Top with honey-roasted almonds and a drizzle of honey.
Nutrition
I published this recipe on December 23, 2015. On January 6, 2026, I updated the photos, added ingredient notes, information about the method of preparation, and an FAQ section as well as what to serve alongside this dish.
As a fellow blogger, I couldn’t leave this page without asking how you landed on the phrase “holiday splooge,” and whether “splooge” has another meaning where you live!
I am probably never going to eat a sandwich between two slices of bread again, because SWEET POTATO ROUNDS are where it’s at. Plus goat cheese and cranberries just make all the things better.
Yuuuuuhs! All the sammies on all the sweet potato rounds!
Wow, this app is super fancy and surprisingly easy to make! Goat cheese is where it’s at!
Totally agree on the goat cheese front! I can’t get enough of the stuff 😉
Easy, beautiful and oooooozing with delicious (literally)! This is my kind of appetizer. Pinning! Merry Christmas dear!
Yeeeeah they’re definitely dripping with goodness! Can’t go wrong with roasted cranberries and honey!
Delicious! I love this grain free appetizer!
Thanks, girly! It’s been my favorite lately!