Cooler weather officially brings with it the season of the sweet potato!
Love it or hate it (though if you’re reading this article, I hope you’re the former), you can find this orange root veggie in a wide variety of dishes we associate with the colder seasons of the year: baked, mashed, hashed, candied, grilled, baked into a pie, and so much more.
If you’ve bought a few of these tubers this year, and you find yourself staring at them each time you pass by your produce basket – completely clueless about a new way to tackle them – then we’ve got the perfect corral of recipes for you.
Are you an ardent lover of this tasty type of produce? Read on, and you’ll find some fresh new ways to love it even more.
Hate it? Well, you might be surprised by just how much you’ll actually enjoy eating it in many of these unconventional recipes, some of which have sweet potato very expertly and subtly sneaked in.
Whether you’re a friend or foe of this wonderful vegetable, there’s something for everyone in the following recipes.
Contents
A Flavorful Breakfast
1. Sweet Potato Waffles?
Can you add sweet potatoes to your waffle mix?
The good news: yes you can!
Raquel Smith’s tasty recipe incorporates either sweet potato puree OR pumpkin puree into the batter! And since these delightful root-crops are so high in sugar, you need only to add a little bit to make them plenty sweet (or add maple syrup for a more natural sweetener). This recipe is spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, making it the perfect autumn breakfast.
Raquel’s version is vegan and is made with almond milk but that can be substituted with regular almond milk if you are of the more omnivore persuasion.
2. Muffins with Blueberries
Like ’em baked? Try this instead: scrumptious baked goods for breakfast!
This muffin recipe brings out the best in this beloved veggie’s flavorful potential. Smooth and savory, the addition of bountiful blueberries finishes it all off with an accent that’s perfectly sweet.
Last but not least: did we mention that this recipe is completely vegan, and wonderfully guilt-free?
Get the recipe from Sina at Vegan Heaven.
3. Sweet Potato Hash with Fresh Herbs, Peppers and Onions
To continue on the sweet-potato-for-breakfast kick, here’s a little something that capitalizes on this veggie’s savory side.
Slice and dice those roots, toss them with white onions, green onions, bell-peppers, fresh rosemary. If you’re vegan, you can stop there. For ominivores, you can take it to the next level by topping it all off with an egg: it’s that simple.
But don’t take my word for it. Check out the recipe for yourself, and give it a try for a new spin on a classic American breakfast.
4. Pancakes with Peanut Butter Maple Syrup
Get your sweet potato and pancake fixes at the same time!
The brilliant thing about this recipe: it’s not just about putting healthy veggies in pancakes. It’s also a vegan and gluten-free wonder, making it more appealing for those who want to skip out on excessive simple carbs in the morning.
Top it with whatever you like, but the recipe for this treasure comes with the best topping of all: peanut butter maple syrup.
Ever tried it? This is not something you should miss out on!
Get the recipe straight from Alexa Peduzzi at Fooduzzi.
5. Hash Brown Egg Nests
This recipe will soon become a favorite creation for both kids and adults on weekend mornings at a kitchen table near you.
Our featured ingredient is absolutely perfect when it’s made into crispy, crunchy hash browns. And even children and older folks who are usually repelled by the orange veggie will set their aversions aside to enjoy such an adorable, tasty breakfast.
How do you make those hash browns into perfect cups?
Get the recipe from Robyn Downs at Real Food Whole Life to find out.
Light Lunches and Simple Sides
6. Grilled with Cherry Salsa
Keep things simple with this grilled version. Nothing fancy is required to make this food irresistible.
Except, of course, the wonderful cherry salsa recipe that goes with it! Super easy to prepare, you also have the option of transforming this grilled wedge variation into a quinoa salad form, if you desire.
Simply chop up your steamed and grilled veg, and combine with the cherry salsa and fully cooked quinoa. You’ll find more detailed directions via the link below.
Laura Wright from The First Mess gives us this recipe.
7. Twice Baked Pudding
If you’re a lover of the classic mashed dish, you should give this twice-baked version a try.
Using a thin-skinned variety, the addition of eggs makes this more of a pudding than a mash, turning the mixture to a fluffy golden brown once baked. This would be the perfect side dish for a Turkey Day (especially a Southern Thanksgiving) or Christmas dinner, but really, there’s no wrong time to make it.
Marissa Moore from Nutrition contributes this special treat.
8. Spiralized Sweet Potato Noodles with Roasted Red Peppers and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This recipe by Kendall Vanderslice is one of those delicious dishes that can serve well as either a side or as a healthy main course.
A spiralizer is used to cut the noodles into shape and then traditional pasta toppings rounds out the flavors. Add some flavorful roasted red peppers and garlic, a handful of sun-dried tomatoes, a little olive oil, fresh sage, and some shaved fresh Parmesan and you’d be hard pressed to realize you aren’t eating real pasta!
It’s still pretty healthy. But so delicious at the same time!
Get this tasty pasta-like recipe now!
9. Candied with Pecan Oat Crust
Getting back to basics, you can’t beat the classic candied dish everyone craves, come fall and winter.
This recipe is unique with its addition of pecans and oats, lending the traditional dish an earthier feel. It still includes a hefty helping of brown sugar, however – you can’t skip that, or it won’t be candied!
Additions of herbs and spices (like ginger) accent the dish.
Check it out from Sabrina at Dinner, Then Dessert.
10. Potato Salad with Bacon
Next comes a nice selection for all you meat lovers out there.
Crispy bacon is absolutely irresistible in combination with the soft creaminess of this baked starchy veggie, especially in salad form.
Onions, celery hearts, and a dash of vinegar go a long way to form a delicious creation of melded flavors that will make your taste buds sing!
It also packs some heat to it, with the addition of jalapeños and mustard. Give it a try!
Find it at Well Plated, via Erin Clarke.
11. Black Bean Quinoa Bowls
For a simple, quick meal or side dish, make this tasty bowl with black beans and quinoa.
Roast up those roots, cook your grains, and toss in those legumes – and voila. You’ve got yourself a balanced snack, or even a small lunch that will keep you just as fueled up as if you had eaten animal proteins and simple carbs (more so, in fact, since the dietary fiber will help to slow down that sugar absorption, keep satiety levels high, and curb those cravings)!
The recipe also comes with a delicious chadon beni cream sauce topping, complete with yogurt, lime, and chadobeni leaves, a unique Caribbean herb – though both the sauce and the whole dish are still mouth-meltingly perfect if you don’t have that herb on hand.
Try substituting with cilantro in a pinch.
Get the recipe now, from Deborah at Simply Caribbean.
12. Baked with Almond Butter Drizzle
Let’s not forget an enduring classic: the baked version of this fall root veggie.
A new twist on an old favorite is made all the more achingly good with the addition of velvety-smooth almond butter.
You wouldn’t think this tantalizing peanut butter alternative would pair so perfectly with this tuber – but oh, it certainly does!
Sprinkle minced almonds on it too if you like, as shown in the picture.
Or, if you’re on a nut-free diet, try substituting sun butter and toasted sunflower seeds.
Get it hot and fresh from Katie Oberwager at 24 Carrot Life.
Delicious Dinner
13. Pizza Crust
Sometimes, it can be a bit more fun (or more of a challenge) to sneak your favorite foods into things, rather than leaving them out in the open.
Especially when hungry little ones and other picky eaters are sitting around your table.
This pizza crust recipe is the perfect example. You still get that crunchy and satisfying crust, but with a healthy twist from this secret addition.
It’s also vegan and gluten free, so you can satisfy those with allergies, intolerances, and special dietary needs.
Got kids (or a partner) who hate the orange tuber you so happen to love? Sneak it into your Friday night homemade pizza, and everyone wins!
Get the recipe by Ashley Melillo from Blissful Basil.
14. Coconut Patties
Another among our cherished greats, Nina-Kristin Isensee shares this dressed-up vegetarian patty recipe, with just a touch of the exotic.
If you’ve ever wanted the ultimate tasty but filling meatless entree, these coconut patties will be up your alley. A touch of lemon or lime brightens up their flavors, as they perfectly compliment Thai dishes, Indian main courses, or even work as Mediterranean falafel alternatives and more!
A delicious favorite from Foodal.
Delectable Desserts
15. Cranberry Crumb Cake
Is it time to start thinking about dessert? I think so.
You wouldn’t think that cake could be completely lightened up with the presence of this produce, but it really can!
The addition of tasty warming spices, pumpkin spice, and a touch of tartness from dried cranberries makes this dessert truly delectable – even for the veggie haters out there.
Serve it after a meal, with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, or even for brunch.
Learn how to bake your own at home from Barbara Schieving at Barbara Bakes.
16. Nutty Cookies
No matter how you cut it, this bright tuber is a healthy food. It’s amazing that it’s naturally sweet, too – so why not put that to use with a healthy treat recipe?
This superfood cookie creation is the perfect choice. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and chock-full of healthy omega-3s to boot.
It’s also made with walnut meal and nut butter, though you can use almond varieties to the same end.
Directions for making Kaila Proulx’s healthy treat can be found at the Healthy Helper blog.
17. Vegan Peanut Butter Ice Cream
What treat could possibly be a better pair with the smooth creaminess of the sweet potato?
Nothing beats ice cream. And if you’re a fan of the pumpkin version, you’re gong to love this.
Even better, this vegetable joins forces with peanut butter here: an undiscovered match made in heaven.
Imagine it with hot fudge, caramel sauce, or vanilla sauce, and your post-dinner plans are made complete.
Oh yeah – it’s also low-fat, dairy free, and vegan! And it comes together with just five ingredients.
Eat it up from Brandi Doming at Vegan 8.
18. Vegan Brownies (Yes… Brownies!)
I know for sure that some of us (and that includes myself) will try anything to get a healthier angle on dessert.
So when you stumble onto a brownie recipe like this one – and see healthy ingredients like oats and almonds with only a small helping of added sugar – you’ll know exactly how elated I feel!
At first you might think: “Vegetables? In brownies?”
Sure, it sounds like the fastest way to completely ruin dessert. But give this one a chance, and you’ll find that it’ll do exactly the opposite.
Plus: you’ll manage to fit in a sneaky helping of veggies along the way.
This recipe is completely plant-based and vegan, making it the perfect go-to when you ache for sweet chocolate – but only want half the remorse that comes from spoiling yourself.
And who would have known that pureed sweet potatoes are a killer secret to the moistest, most mouth-melting brownie you’ve ever savored, without the regrets?
Enjoy it at home, with directions straight from Alberto and Iosune at Simply Vegan Blog.
19. Did Someone Say Pie?
To truly dive into all the dimensions of this tasty tuber, you just can’t skip out on the classic pie – like this tasty offering from our very own Felicia Lim.
This recipe’s rich, creamy filling and homemade pie crust combine with the powers of nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla to create a down-home dessert – one that perfectly captures that balance of sweet and savory we know so well, and look forward to when the holidays roll around each year.
We share the recipe on Foodal.
A Sweet Ending
So tell me: is your mouth watering? Do you think you might be a newly-converted fanatic for this fantastic veggie now?
Here’s to hoping some of these ideas change your mind from hater to lover. You might be surprised!
Or were you already a lover before, but find your appreciation (and your appetite) growing for sweet potatoes even more than you thought was possible?
Needless to say, you’ve got plenty of choices, and you won’t be getting bored anytime soon!
Now, it’s your turn. Were there any recipes we missed? Do you have special sweet potato stories and preparations to share?
Give these suggestions a try, and surprise us! Let us know all about your ideas in the comments section below.
Sweet potato pie photo by Felicia Lim, sweet potato coconut patty photo by Nina-Kristin Isensee, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. All other photography in this article is owned and copyrighted by their respective owners as identified. Used with permission by Ask the Experts, LLC. All rights reserved by all parties. Link contributions by Nan Schiller and Allison Sidhu. Additional writing and editing contributed by Allison Sidhu.
About Adrian White
Adrian White is a certified herbalist, organic farmer, and health/food writer and expert. She aims to bridge the world of natural, holistic health and nutrition to the realm of organic foods, herbalism, gardening, and sustainability - or "Food as Medicine" - throughout her writing.
