Cozy Harvest Bowl with Sweet Potato & Apple Cider Dressing Recipe

Autumn’s golden hues inspire hearty harvest bowl magic, blending roasted sweet potato and apple cider dressing into a comforting culinary dance.

Seasonal ingredients weave together like a warm, delicious tapestry of flavor and nutrition.

Crisp vegetables mingle with tender roasted sweet potato, creating a symphony of textures that sing of fall’s richness.

Earthy notes and subtle sweetness balance each other, promising a nourishing meal that feels both rustic and refined.

The apple cider dressing adds a tangy brightness that cuts through the robust ingredients, lifting every bite with its vibrant character.

Fresh herbs and crunchy toppings provide unexpected delights in this satisfying bowl.

Grab your skillet and let’s turn simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that celebrates the best of autumn’s harvest.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 648 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for That Harvest Bowl

• Sweet Potatoes: Vibrant orange root vegetable that creates a hearty foundation, selecting firm potatoes without soft spots ensures perfect caramelization.
• Olive Oil: Provides silky coating and helps sweet potatoes achieve golden crispy exterior, choose extra virgin for richer flavor.
• Sea Salt: Enhances natural sweetness and brings out potato's deep earthy notes.

• Chicken: Lean protein that adds substantial texture, opt for free-range or organic cuts for best flavor.
• Pecans: Delivers delightful nutty crunch, selecting fresh, plump nuts guarantees maximum taste.

• Kale: Nutrient-dense leafy green that provides robust base, choosing crisp, dark green leaves indicates peak freshness.
• Apple: Introduces sweet-tart burst of freshness, selecting firm, seasonal varieties ensures optimal taste.
• Feta Cheese: Adds creamy tangy element, choosing high-quality sheep's milk version provides authentic Mediterranean touch.
• Pomegranate Seeds: Delivers bright jewel-like pop of color and juicy sweetness, selecting deep red seeds indicates ripeness.

• Apple Cider: Creates tangy foundation for dressing, selecting unfiltered variety provides deeper, more complex flavor.

Tools to Prepare a Sweet Potato Harvest Bowl

• Air Fryer or Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting sweet potatoes evenly and creating a crispy exterior.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for massaging kale and combining salad ingredients.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Needed for preparing the apple cider dressing.
• Cutting Board: Helps chop kale, apples, and other ingredients precisely.
• Sharp Knife: Required for slicing and dicing ingredients into uniform pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for accurately measuring dressing ingredients.
• Spatula or Tongs: Helpful for tossing and mixing ingredients in the bowl.

Building the Perfect Fall Harvest Bowl

• Sweet Potato Transformation

Cube sweet potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Warm them in air fryer at 400 degrees for crispy edges or roast in oven at 425 degrees until golden and tender. The goal is creating caramelized exterior with soft center.

• Kale Preparation

Slice kale into delicate ribbons. Create a zesty apple cider dressing that will soften and brighten the hearty greens. Gently massage dressing into kale, allowing leaves to become silky and relaxed.

• Bowl Assembly

Layer tender kale as foundation. Arrange roasted sweet potato cubes generously across greens. Scatter juicy apple pieces, crumbled feta, crunchy pecans, and jewel-like pomegranate seeds. Drizzle remaining apple cider dressing over entire bowl for vibrant flavor connection.

• Final Touch

Serve immediately while sweet potatoes remain warm and crisp. Each spoonful promises a harmony of textures and seasonal flavors – sweet, tangy, earthy, and bright.

Dressing Tips for Your Harvest Bowl

• Replace chicken with crispy tofu, grilled shrimp, or roasted chickpeas for vegetarian and protein-packed alternatives that keep the bowl exciting and nutritious.
• Substitute kale with baby spinach, mixed spring greens, or arugula if you prefer a different leafy base that still provides excellent nutritional value and texture.
• Prepare components separately and store in airtight containers for up to 3 days, keeping dressing and ingredients separate to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
• Adjust toppings based on seasonal availability – try roasted butternut squash in fall, fresh berries in summer, or dried cranberries when pomegranate seeds aren't accessible.

Serving the Harvest Bowl

• Enjoy Warmly with Family: Create a cozy dinner setting where everyone can gather around and share this delicious harvest bowl together, making mealtime feel special and connected.
• Elevate Nutritional Balance: Mix additional protein sources like grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas for vegetarian options, ensuring a well-rounded and satisfying meal packed with nutrients.
• Seasonal Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp white wine or sparkling apple cider to complement the sweet and savory flavors of the harvest bowl, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Customize Your Crunch: Experiment with different nuts like toasted almonds or sunflower seeds to add extra texture and personalize the dish according to your taste preferences.

Smart Storage for Your Harvest Bowls

• Refrigerate Strategically: Store the harvest bowl components separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Kale and sweet potatoes can stay refrigerated for 3-4 days, while chicken remains good for 3-5 days.
• Separate Dressing Smartly: Keep the apple cider dressing in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator, which will last up to one week. Always give it a quick shake before using to re-emulsify ingredients.
• Batch Prep Efficiently: Prepare multiple servings of sweet potatoes, kale, and chicken during weekend meal prep. This approach saves time and ensures quick assembly during busy weekdays.
• Revive Leftovers Quickly: Gently reheat sweet potatoes and chicken in a skillet or microwave. Add fresh toppings like nuts and pomegranate seeds after warming to maintain their crunch and vibrant texture.

Rustic Harvest Bowl Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean-inspired harvest bowl celebrates seasonal ingredients with roasted sweet potatoes, crisp greens, and tangy apple cider dressing. Balanced flavors and nutrient-rich components create a wholesome meal you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups chicken, chopped or shredded
• 4 cups sweet potatoes (1 pound), cubed
• 4 cups lacinato kale, thinly sliced, or arugula
• ½ honeycrisp apple, cut into ½ inch cubes or thinly sliced
• ½ cup feta cheese
• ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsps apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Uniformly cube sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces for consistent cooking and optimal texture.
2. Cooking Method Selection: Choose between air fryer or oven roasting, ensuring even heat distribution and golden-brown exterior.
3. Air Fryer Technique: Preheat to 400°F, lightly coat sweet potato cubes with olive oil and sea salt, arranging in a single layer to promote crispy edges. Cook for 12 minutes, shaking basket midway to prevent sticking.
4. Oven Roasting Alternative: Preheat to 425°F, line baking sheet with parchment paper, distribute seasoned cubes in a single layer. Roast for 30 minutes, flipping once to achieve perfect caramelization.
5. Kale Preparation: Transform kale into delicate ribbons, placing in a spacious mixing bowl and massaging with dressing until leaves soften and absorb flavors.
6. Dressing Creation: Whisk apple cider dressing ingredients until smoothly blended, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
7. Bowl Assembly: Layer roasted sweet potato cubes atop massaged kale as the foundational element of the harvest bowl.
8. Protein and Fruit Integration: Distribute cooked chicken pieces and cubed apple strategically throughout the bowl for balanced texture and flavor.
9. Cheese and Nut Accent: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese to introduce tangy creaminess, then scatter chopped pecans for delightful crunch and nutty undertones.
10. Final Flourish: Garnish with vibrant pomegranate seeds for color and tartness, drizzle remaining apple cider dressing, and gently toss to ensure comprehensive flavor integration.

Notes

• Potato Prep Pro: Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes for consistent cooking and perfect texture every time.
• Crispy Cooking Hack: Use air fryer or oven method with single-layer technique to achieve golden-brown edges without overcrowding.
• Kale Massage Technique: Gently work dressing into kale leaves to soften texture and enhance flavor absorption, reducing volume and improving overall taste.
• Strategic Layering Trick: Add ingredients strategically to create balanced flavor profile, ensuring each bite contains multiple textures and complementary tastes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 648
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 558 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 38 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg