Elevate your comfort food game with this Sweet Potato and Ontario Apple Gratin—a creamy, cheesy side dish that perfectly balances savory and sweet flavors. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes and crisp Ontario apples are layered in rich, garlicky cream, then topped with nutty Gruyere cheese and crunchy, buttery panko breadcrumbs for a finishing touch that's golden and irresistible. Infused with fresh thyme and baked to tender perfection, this gratin is easy to prepare yet elegant enough for holiday gatherings or dinner parties. Whether served as a stunning side dish or a vegetarian main course, this recipe is a cozy, crowd-pleasing addition to any menu. Ideal for highlighting the versatility of sweet potatoes and locally grown apples, it's a must-try for fall and winter dining!
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with the butter.
Peel and slice the sweet potatoes and Ontario apples thinly (around 1/8-inch thick) using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer.
In a small saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, minced garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper. Warm over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
Layer half of the sweet potato slices in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly. Follow with a layer of half the apple slices.
Pour half of the warmed cream mixture evenly over the layers. Sprinkle with half of the shredded Gruyere cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining sweet potatoes and apples. Pour the rest of the cream mixture on top and finish with the remaining Gruyere cheese.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with a drizzle of melted butter (optional), then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the gratin.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the sweet potatoes and apples are tender when pierced with a knife.
Let the gratin rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy this savory and sweet dish as a side or main course!
Calories |
1966 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 131.4 g | 168% | |
| Saturated Fat | 76.0 g | 380% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 404 mg | 135% | |
| Sodium | 3648 mg | 159% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 142.7 g | 52% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.5 g | 73% | |
| Total Sugars | 59.6 g | ||
| Protein | 45.0 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 1388 mg | 107% | |
| Iron | 4.2 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 703 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.