24 Easy Sweet Potato Recipes

Add Sweet Potatoes to Your Plate

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).

  • 01 of 24

    Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

    Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Use your air fryer to cook up sweet potato fries that are perfectly crispy, flavorful, and low in fat and calories. Adding cornstarch to the seasoning is a great kitchen trick to maximize crispiness without the need for deep-frying. Enjoy these fries with burgers and hot dogs, or try them with steak for a different kind of steak frites dinner.

  • 02 of 24

    Candied Yams With Marshmallows

    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.

  • 03 of 24

    Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

    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.

  • 04 of 24

    Sweet Potato Pound Cake

    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.

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  • 05 of 24

    Sweet Potato Hash Browns

    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.

  • 06 of 24

    Sweet Potato Noodles

    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.

  • 07 of 24

    Sweet Potato Ice Cream

    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.

  • 08 of 24

    Sweet Potato Falafel

    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.

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  • 09 of 24

    Sweet Potato Waffles

    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.

  • 10 of 24

    Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Chickpea Tagine With Couscous

    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.

  • 11 of 24

    Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole

    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.

  • 12 of 24

    Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

    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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  • 13 of 24

    Turkey and Sweet Potato Soup

    Turkey and Sweet Potato Soup

    The Spruce

    Use up leftover turkey from the holidays for this satisfying weekday soup. Brimming with cubed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and bacon in a creamy broth, it makes a warming and great-tasting lunch on those days when you are working from home. We used half-and-half for a richer soup base, but a lower-fat milk can be used instead if you prefer. 

  • 14 of 24

    Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie

    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.

  • 15 of 24

    Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili

    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.

  • 16 of 24

    Sweet Potato Sandwich Rolls

    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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  • 17 of 24

    Creamy Sweet Potato Risotto With Pecans

    sweet potato risotto

    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.

  • 18 of 24

    Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Hash

    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.

  • 19 of 24

    Sweet Potato Cheesecake Pie

    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.

  • 20 of 24

    Spicy Chorizo Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

    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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  • 21 of 24

    Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

    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.

  • 22 of 24

    Sweet Potato Gnocchi

    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.

  • 23 of 24

    Brown Sugar Candied Sweet Potatoes

    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.

  • 24 of 24

    Sweet Potato Muffins With Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    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.