22 Easy Sweet Potato Recipes

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili — The Spruce

Sweet potatoes are packed with flavor and nutrient-dense, making them a fabulous choice for anyone eating a nutritious diet. While you may be familiar with baked sweet potatoes and holiday sweet potato casserole, you can do so much more with the vegetable. Think about sweet potatoes beyond dinner and incorporate them into your breakfasts, lunches, and desserts with our recipe collection that covers every course. You'll even find clever recipes that may convert people who don't like sweet potatoes (hello, sweet potato waffles).

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Candied Yams With Marshmallows

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

When it comes to holiday-worthy sweet potato casseroles, this one is the champion. With tenderly-mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon all topped with a layer of pillowy, golden-brown, melting marshmallows, your family is sure to demand you make this almost dessert-like casserole again and again.
02 of 22

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Elevate your regular baked sweet potatoes by "hasselbacking" them. Hasselback sweet potatoes are sweet potatoes that are thinly sliced but not all the way through, keeping the potato intact. You then baste them with butter as they bake, so each slice gets nice and crispy outside while the insides stay soft and creamy. Finish them off with a drizzle of maple syrup and a topping of chopped toasted walnuts for the most scrumptious side dish ever.
03 of 22

Sweet Potato Pound Cake

The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

When you have leftover mashed sweet potatoes in the fridge, use them for a moist and delicious pound cake. Even those who don't like sweet potatoes will happily dig their forks into this Bundt cake which gets a nice crunch from pecans in the batter. Dust it with confectioner's sugar to serve or drizzle it with your favorite glaze.
04 of 22

Sweet Potato Hash Browns

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Switch up your weekend breakfast routine by making homemade hash browns from sweet potatoes. You'll get delicious hash browns with all the crispiness you crave plus the added nutrition that comes from sweet potatoes. Add them to a plate with your favorite breakfast foods, from sunny-side up eggs and bacon to country ham and corned beef.

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05 of 22

Sweet Potato Noodles

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

This is one of the best sweet potato recipes for people who don't typically like sweet potatoes. While other spiralized vegetable "noodles" can get soggy when combined with sauce, sweet potato noodles have a sturdy texture that allows them to keep their shape. They add a subtly sweet flavor to this yummy, low-carb main dish with a rich and creamy cashew sauce. You can omit the bacon to make the dish vegetarian.
06 of 22

Sweet Potato Ice Cream

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

What could be better than a creamy, cooling, luscious scoop of ice cream infused with the flavor of sweet potato pie? You won't believe how much you were missing this ice cream flavor until you try it. Enjoy it solo, scooped over brownies, or served in bowls topped with coconut flakes or crumbled gingersnaps.
07 of 22

Sweet Potato Falafel

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Baked falafel made with ground chickpeas and mashed sweet potatoes are so flavorful and crispy, you won't believe they are actually an excellent source of plant-based protein. Tuck them into a sliced pita with crunchy veggies to enjoy them sandwich-style, or serve them for a popular party appetizer with tahini sauce and toothpicks.
08 of 22

Sweet Potato Waffles

The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Perillo

Whether it's breakfast, brunch, or breakfast for dinner, sweet potato waffles are a guaranteed hit. The batter is made with oat flour so the recipe is gluten-free, and you can use leftover sweet potatoes to make it even easier. Cooked in the waffle iron and served warm with syrup, this is a recipe you won't want to miss.

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09 of 22

Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Chickpea Tagine With Couscous

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Wow vegetarian dinner guests with this aromatic Moroccan-style tagine. Essentially a hearty vegetarian stew of tender sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and chickpeas cooked with mild spices in a tomato-based sauce, it is a company-worthy dish that's easy to throw together. Serve it over simply steamed couscous to soak up all the delicious sauce.
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Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole

The Spruce / Rachel Riesgraf

When it comes to kid-friendly meals, it is hard to beat a tater tot casserole. This one is designed to get your kids excited with its combination of crispy sweet potato tater tots, savory hot dog bites, saucy baked beans, and melted cheddar cheese. Best of all (for the adult preparing the meal), it uses convenient ingredients and bakes up in about half an hour.
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Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Sweet potato pecan pie pie combines two favorite holiday treats into one irresistible dessert. It offers fabulous sweetness and crunch, and you can spike the filling with a splash of bourbon or brandy or keep it non-alcoholic with orange juice. Serve the pie warm, topping with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
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Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie

The Spruce / Armando Rafael

If you think pumpkin pie is all that, just wait until you taste sweet potato pie. This classic Southern sweet potato pie is silky, savory, cinnamon-scented, and everything you want in an autumn pie, though you can easily make it all-year round. Prep it in advance and bake for one hour while your guests mingle and dine so they can enjoy a fresh slice of pie after the meal.

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13 of 22

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Whether you are looking for vegetarian game day recipes or want a healthy, plant-based dish the whole family will enjoy, black bean and sweet potato chili is a winner. Hearty and flavor-packed with loads of protein and just the perfect amount of spice, this rich vegan chili will leave you feeling satisfied. Serve with your favorite chili toppings and a side of vegan cornbread for a full meal.
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Sweet Potato Sandwich Rolls

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Sweet potato sandwich buns are a great vehicle for burgers, pulled pork, and leftover turkey or chicken salad sandwiches. Mashed sweet potato gives these yeasty rolls their signature flavor along with texture and bright color. You can use a bread machine or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook to make them.
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Creamy Sweet Potato Risotto With Pecans

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This creamy, Italian-style risotto cooks in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or serving guests. You'll love the fabulous savory combination of sweet potatoes, crunchy pecans, and Parmesan cheese in this comforting vegetarian side or main dish. Use vegan margarine and vegan cheese for vegan guests.
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Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Hash

The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

A breakfast skillet hash is an ideal way to use up seasonal veggies and transform them into an entirely new dish. This tasty hash is savory as all get out with roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, bell pepper, onion, garlic, and a hint of spice from paprika and cayenne. Top with an egg or two as it cooks and you've got a no-fuss, complete weekend morning meal.

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Sweet Potato Cheesecake Pie

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Can't decide between pumpkin pie and cheesecake for your holiday celebration? Try this inspired mash-up dessert that bakes in less than an hour, it's sure to earn you rave reviews. Our sweet potato cheesecake pie is decadent, nicely spiced, and a satisfying way to end holiday meals. It's great served topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
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Spicy Chorizo Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

If you think sweet potato casseroles are solely a dinner affair, give this breakfast bake a try. With sweet potato tater tots, spicy chorizo sausage, eggs, and cheddar cheese, it's the ideal make-ahead breakfast casserole for weekend brunches and holiday breakfasts. Bake it a day ahead for reheating when you get hungry, or freeze the baked, tightly-wrapped dish for up to two months.
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Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

If you're cooking a big holiday dinner and lack space in the oven, use your Instant Pot to cook up the essential sweet potato casserole. The versatile kitchen appliance not only cooks sweet potatoes to the perfect tender texture, but can actually finish the entire casserole, topping and all. If you crave a crunchier texture, feel free to pop your dish under the broiler for a few minutes.
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Sweet Potato Gnocchi

The Spruce / Molly Watson

With just 4 basic ingredients needed, sweet potato gnocchi are a cinch to make and a nutrient-rich alternative to traditional pasta dishes. The plump little cloud-like dumplings are like heaven on a plate. Serve them for company or as a satisfying weeknight dinner anytime topped simply with melted butter and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese.

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Brown Sugar Candied Sweet Potatoes

The Spruce

Candied potatoes cooked on the stove-top are an easier, slightly lighter alternative to the traditional sweet potato casserole. You need only three basic ingredients to create the sweet glaze, and you can cut the already-short cooking time in half by precooking the potatoes in the microwave until tender but firm. Add cinnamon or nutmeg for spiced sweet potatoes, or throw in some pecan halves for satisfying crunch.
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Sweet Potato Muffins With Cinnamon Sugar Topping

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Sweet potato muffins are a cozy treat at breakfast and a delicious snack at any time of day. Sweet potato purée makes these muffins extra moist without the need for too much oil or added butter. You'll love the extra texture and flavor from pecans and an irresistible cinnamon-sugar topping.

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