Irresistible Oil-Free Japanese Yam Rounds with Hummus & Sriracha: The Ultimate Vegan Snack & Appetizer

Oil-free baked Japanese yam rounds served with creamy hummus and a zesty drizzle of sriracha! This effortlessly sweet, savory, and spicy combo is the perfect healthy snack or crowd-pleasing appetizer for any occasion!

It’s a really exciting day here at F&V, folks. Today, I’m eagerly awaiting the installation of my brand-new dishwasher! After years of demanding service, especially with the constant recipe testing and the resulting mountain of dishes, my old dishwasher simply couldn’t keep up. It always seemed to leave dishes dirtier than they started, which, let’s be honest, is a bit gross. So, I’m thrilled for this upgrade and hoping my new appliance is ready for the culinary adventures ahead.

But enough about kitchen appliances! The fantastic snack I’m sharing with you today is incredibly easy to make and even easier to clean up – practically dishwasher-proof! This entirely oil-free, gluten-free, and vegan recipe is a breeze to assemble and truly irresistible to devour. Introducing: Japanese Yam Rounds with Hummus & Sriracha! Whether you’re hosting a lively game night, settling in for the Super Bowl, or simply craving a wholesome, flavor-packed bite, this dish is your new go-to. It’s a versatile, wholesome, and delightfully vibrant treat that promises to be a hit every time.

The Easiest Vegan Appetizer You’ll Ever Make

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a cherished favorite, reborn and ready to delight. With all the intensive cookbook recipe testing and writing I’ve been doing lately, I desperately needed something quick, simple, and utterly satisfying to share with you all. This combination of baked Japanese Yam Rounds with Hummus & Sriracha has been a staple in my kitchen for years, evolving from a simple snack into a deeply comforting and flavorful experience.

I honestly can’t recall the exact moment my perfectly baked yams first met creamy hummus and then found their fiery partner in sriracha. Perhaps it was a stroke of culinary genius, or maybe just a happy accident of ingredients mingling in my bowl – either way, I am eternally grateful for this delicious pairing. The harmonious blend of naturally sweet yam, rich and savory hummus, and the invigorating kick of sriracha creates an indescribably satisfying and comforting flavor profile. It’s truly a symphony for the taste buds, hitting all the right notes of sweet, salty, and spicy. I am incredibly excited for you to try this incredibly easy and addictive vegan appetizer!

My Absolute Favorite Japanese Yams Recipe: A Taste of Magic

I recently discovered a delightful quirk in my online grocery orders: whenever I add purple sweet potatoes to my Whole Foods cart, Japanese yams are frequently delivered instead! This happy “mistake” likely happens because the busy personal shopper fulfilling the order doesn’t always differentiate between the myriad varieties of tubers. But trust me, I am absolutely not complaining! For some inexplicable reason, Japanese yams aren’t usually listed as a direct option for delivery, so I’m always ecstatic when they arrive by serendipitous error. It feels like getting a special, unexpected gift.

My partner, M, often claims they taste just like any other sweet potato, but I respectfully disagree. Japanese yams are pure magic in my book. They bake up incredibly fluffy and almost cake-like, with a distinctively sweet interior that’s both comforting and unique. What truly sets them apart is their aroma while baking – they fill the entire kitchen with a scent reminiscent of birthday cake! Their slightly drier, starchier texture (compared to orange sweet potatoes) allows them to caramelize beautifully when baked, creating a perfect canvas for savory and spicy toppings. This makes them ideal for slicing into rounds, providing a substantial yet delicate base for our hummus and sriracha.

What You Need to Make These Delectable Japanese Yam Rounds

One of the best things about this recipe is its incredible simplicity. You only need a handful of readily available ingredients to create something truly extraordinary. For the best results, always aim for fresh, good quality ingredients. When selecting Japanese yams, look for firm, unblemished tubers. For hummus, feel free to use your favorite store-bought variety for convenience, or whip up a batch of homemade hummus for an extra layer of freshness. And for the sriracha, choose your preferred brand – or any hot sauce – to control the spice level.

So, here’s what you need for this minimal-ingredient, maximal-flavor creation:

• Japanese yams (look for firm, smooth skin)
• Creamy hummus (store-bought or homemade)
• Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce

That’s truly it! Just three main components come together to create a snack that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Optional toppings can elevate the dish further, but the core flavors are robust enough to stand on their own.

How to Make Japanese Yam Rounds: Step-by-Step Perfection

Preparing these Japanese Yam Rounds is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. The key is consistent slicing and proper baking to achieve that perfect fork-tender, slightly caramelized texture without any added oil. Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious outcome:

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. This parchment paper is essential for oil-free baking, preventing sticking and making cleanup a breeze.

Next, thoroughly scrub your Japanese yams under running water to clean off any dirt. Now, for the skins: you can choose to remove them with a potato peeler, or leave them on. I personally prefer to peel them because I find that the skins can be a little tough and chewy when baked oil-free, especially for delicate appetizer rounds. However, if you enjoy the rustic feel and extra fiber, feel free to leave them on – it’s entirely up to your preference!

Once scrubbed (and peeled, if desired), slice your yams into uniform 1/4 to 1/2-inch rounds using a sharp, large knife. Aim for even thickness to ensure all rounds bake consistently at the same rate. Arrange these rounds in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet, making sure none of them are touching. This allows for proper air circulation, which is crucial for even cooking and achieving those beautifully golden-brown edges.

Bake the yam rounds for 30-40 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the baking time. This ensures both sides get a chance to caramelize and become tender. The sweet potato rounds should emerge from the oven fork-tender and beautifully golden brown on both sides. A good way to check for doneness is to gently squeeze a round; if it gives slightly in the center and feels soft, it’s perfect and ready to be adorned!

How to Decorate and Serve Your Japanese Yam Rounds

Once your Japanese yam rounds are perfectly baked and slightly cooled, it’s time for the fun part: decorating and serving! Carefully remove the warm yams from the oven and transfer them to your chosen serving plate or platter. This dish is as much about presentation as it is about flavor, so choose a vessel that complements your occasion.

Now, top each round with a generous spoonful of creamy hummus. Don’t be shy – the hummus adds a wonderful richness and smooth texture that perfectly balances the yam. After the hummus, add a vibrant drizzle of sriracha. This is where you can truly customize the dish to your liking. Adjust your sriracha drizzle based on your preferred level of spice. For a fiery kick, go for a heavy-handed squeeze, creating bold stripes or generous dollops. If you prefer a milder intensity, opt for a lighter hand, creating delicate swirls or dots of sauce. You can also experiment with different hot sauces if sriracha isn’t your favorite, or even offer a variety for guests to choose from.

Serve these delectable rounds immediately while they are still warm to best enjoy the contrast in temperatures and textures. One of the best aspects of this appetizer is its sheer convenience – no forks are required here! These are plant-based finger-foods at their absolute finest, making them ideal for casual gatherings or a quick, satisfying snack.

Versatile Serving Suggestions and Customization Tips

These Japanese Yam Rounds with Hummus & Sriracha are incredibly versatile, perfect for elevating your snack game or serving as a delightful appetizer. They’re fantastic on their own, but you can also dress them up with a variety of optional toppings to add more texture, flavor, and visual appeal. Consider a sprinkle of fresh microgreens for a burst of color and a subtle peppery note, or a dash of toasted sesame seeds for an earthy crunch. For an added boost of healthy fats and protein, a scattering of hemp hearts works wonderfully.

Most of the time, I opt for a casual, “nacho-style” presentation, arranging the sweet potato rounds messily on a large platter. I then top them with generous dollops of hummus and an artistic, abstract drizzle of sriracha, allowing the vibrant colors to stand out. For more formal occasions, you can arrange them neatly on a serving board, perhaps with small bowls of extra hummus and sriracha on the side for dipping.

If you find Japanese Yams hard to come by in your local grocery store, don’t fret! This recipe can still be enjoyed with any other type of sweet potato you prefer. While the flavor and texture might differ slightly, the sweet and spicy combination will still be incredibly delicious. Or, you can try my “Whole Foods ordering trick” and see if you get lucky – no promises, but it’s worth a shot!

This recipe, as written in the card below, is designed to serve one as a generous snack. However, it’s incredibly easy to scale up! Feel free to bake multiple yams to double or triple the recipe to comfortably serve a larger crowd. These rounds are best enjoyed warm, so consider baking them in batches if you’re serving a big party. Get creative with your presentation and enjoy this healthy, flavor-packed dish!

More Delicious Vegan Appetizers to Explore

If you loved these Japanese Yam Rounds and are looking for more plant-based, healthy, and delicious appetizer ideas, you’re in luck! Here are some of my other favorite recipes that are perfect for snacking, sharing, or starting any meal with a burst of flavor:

• Pea Pesto Sweet Potato Poppers

• Eggplant Rounds With Herbed Yogurt Sauce

• Baked Tempeh Tots

• Lentil Walnut Beet Balls

• Cajun Cauliflower Poppers

• Golden Sesame Squash Fries

I Want to Hear From You! Your Feedback Matters

I absolutely love connecting with you all and seeing your culinary creations! If you decide to make this delightful Japanese Yam Rounds with Hummus & Sriracha recipe, please don’t keep it a secret. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps me continue to create more delicious, wholesome recipes that you’ll adore.

Be sure to leave me a comment below with your thoughts, a star rating, and a review of how it turned out. Did you try any unique toppings? Did you find a fun way to serve them? I can’t wait to read about your experiences!

And of course, share your beautiful creations on social media! Give me a shout on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino so I can see and celebrate your kitchen triumphs.

For more plant-based inspiration and to save recipes for later, check out my Pinterest page. You’ll find a treasure trove of healthy and delicious ideas just waiting to be pinned!

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XO Lauren

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Photography by Hot Pan Kitchen