Salad doesn’t have to be a sad pile of lettuce. This roasted sweet potato salad delivers crispy, caramelized goodness with a bold coffee dressing. The potatoes get roasted until golden, bringing out their natural sweetness. Crunchy nuts, fresh greens, and a smoky, slightly bitter coffee dressing balance every bite. It’s sweet, savory, and just the right amount of unexpected. If you think salads are just diet food, this one will prove you wrong. Serve it warm or cold, but good luck saving leftovers. This is a salad you’ll actually crave—no sad desk lunch vibes here.
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Coffee Dressing
A hearty roasted sweet potato salad tossed in a rich coffee dressing with crunchy toppings and bold flavors.
Ingredients
For the Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
For the Coffee Dressing:
- 2 tbsp brewed coffee cooled
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens spinach, arugula, or kale
- ¼ cup pecans or walnuts toasted
- ¼ cup feta or goat cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Spread them on the baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- While they roast, whisk together coffee, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine greens, toasted nuts, cheese, and dried fruit.
- Add roasted sweet potatoes while still warm for extra flavor.
- Drizzle with the coffee dressing and toss to coat everything evenly.
- Serve immediately or chill for later—if you have that kind of patience.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~280
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
Vitamins & Minerals (Per Serving)
- Vitamin A: 90%
- Iron: 10%
- Potassium: 12%
- Vitamin C: 15%
- Magnesium: 8%
Additional Notes/Tips
- Swap pecans for almonds for extra crunch.
- Try blue cheese instead of feta for a stronger bite.
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for more protein.
- Use cold brew instead of hot coffee for a smoother dressing.
