How to Cook Sweet Potato + Recipe Ideas

December 15, 2023

Sweet potatoes are prized not only for their natural sweetness but also for their incredible versatility. Sweet potatoes are a marvelous alternative to regular potatoes, delivering a richer profile of nutrients and a unique, pleasant sweetness. They're especially high in Vitamin C but also a great source of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that our body converts into vitamin A, crucial for healthy vision and immune function. They're also rich in fiber, offering a slow, steady source of energy without the blood sugar spikes linked to less complex carbohydrates.

Sweet potatoes come in an array of charming varieties that can bring both color and nuanced flavor to your meals. Yams, often confused with orange sweet potatoes in American grocery stores, are a sweeter variety with a moist texture, while purple sweet potatoes boast a vivid purple hue and a slightly nutty taste. Japanese sweet potatoes, on the other hand, come in a yellow hue and bring a distinct creaminess and fluffier texture when compared to orange sweet potatoes. Each variety has its charm and can be used in diverse ways just like white potatoes.

One of the many benefits of sweet potatoes is their versatility. They can be diced into cubes or cut into slices or halves, each shape lending itself to a range of dishes. They're fantastic roasted, grilled, sautéed, or turned into fries. Whether you're looking for a healthy swap for your morning toast or a vibrant addition to a cozy stew, sweet potatoes can step up to the plate.

They can be transformed through an assortment of cooking methods, from simple roasting or baking in a slow cooker, to more intricate preparations like spiralizing or stuffing. Each method unveils a unique dimension of flavor and texture.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you the different ways to cook sweet potatoes and provide you with delicious recipes to experiment with in your kitchen. Whether you’re interested in cooking up a sweet potato casserole or simply making crispy fries, our expert chefs have got you covered with this nutrient-dense superstar.

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Top Three Ways To Cook Sweet Potatoes

1.Baking

Baking a sweet potato is a delightful way to capitalize on its inherent sweetness and versatile texture. To start, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it's heating, prepare your sweet potatoes by thoroughly washing them to remove any dirt or debris. Pierce each potato several times with a fork to prevent them from bursting in the oven and to allow the heat to penetrate the interior evenly. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easier clean-up. Add a little butter or olive oil if you’d like extra crispiness on your bake. Bake sweet potatoes for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the potatoes are tender and a fork can easily pierce through them.

Remember, baking times can vary based on the size of the potato, so be sure to check on them occasionally. Once done, slice them open and enjoy as is, or top with a dab of butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon, brown sugar, or any other topping of your choice. The perfect baked sweet potatoes make for a simple, nutritious, and heartwarming dish that can be enjoyed at any time.

2. Air Frying

Air frying sweet potatoes is an excellent, low-fat method that produces beautifully crisp exteriors and fluffy, tender interiors. Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Meanwhile, wash your sweet potatoes thoroughly, then cut them into equal-sized wedges or fries, ensuring they're not too thick. Toss the cut sweet potato slices in a bowl with a little olive oil and your favorite spices - simple salt and pepper work great, but feel free to experiment with other seasonings like chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, or rosemary.

Arrange the sweet potato fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overcrowded for best results. Air fry for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even cooking. Your sweet potatoes will emerge golden brown, crispy, and utterly delicious to make for a perfect side dish. Enjoy them as a healthier alternative to traditional fries, or as a vibrant side dish to your main course.

3. Microwaving

Microwaving a sweet potato is a speedy and efficient method, perfect for those times when you need a nourishing meal but are short on time. Begin by thoroughly washing your sweet potato under running water, using a scrub brush if needed to remove any stubborn dirt. Once clean, prick the sweet potato all over with a fork. This step is crucial as it allows steam to escape, preventing the potato from bursting. Place the sweet potato on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave it on high for about 5-6 minutes.

Depending on the size and power of your microwave, you might need to adjust the cooking time. Halfway through, flip the sweet potato over to ensure even cooking. When it's done, the sweet potato should feel soft when gently squeezed.

If it's not quite there, microwave in additional 1-minute intervals until it's fully cooked. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, then cut it into sweet potato halves, fluff the insides with a fork, and add your preferred toppings. The result is a quick, simple, and satisfying dish that can be prepared in minutes.

Our Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes

No matter which way you like your sweet potatoes cooked, we’ve scoured our library of over 2,000 recipes to curate our favorite recipes for your next cooking extravaganza:

Black Bean Avocado Stuffed Sweet Potato: This creative, flavorful, and nutrition-packed recipe is just as delightful to your taste buds as it is for your health. With a total time of just 14 minutes, this dish manages to harness a whole spectrum of textures and flavors, making it a perfect choice for a quick lunch or a nourishing dinner. From the microwave-ready sweet potato base to the protein-rich simmered Cuban black beans, every ingredient adds a unique note to this symphony of taste. The crowning touch is the ripe avocado, adding a creamy element that beautifully contrasts with the other components. The fresh cilantro brings a fragrant lift to the dish, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice adds a tangy spark that makes the flavors truly pop.

Cranberry Brie + Chicken and Baked Sweet Potato: Get ready to savor the extraordinary harmony of flavors with our brie-baked chicken and sweet potato recipe. This delightful dish marries the robust, savory taste of seasoned grilled chicken breast with the indulgent creaminess of brie bites, all brought together by the tangy-sweet burst of cranberry sauce. Accompanied by a microwaved sweet potato, you get a wonderful contrast of textures, from the creamy interior of the potato to the tender chicken. In a quick 23 minutes, you'll have a beautifully balanced, flavorful meal on your table.

Carnitas + Avocado Sweet Potato Boat: In just 14 minutes, this dish transforms humble ingredients into a tasty, nutrient-rich meal. The key to this recipe's incredible flavor is the pork carnitas, seared to a crispy finish, delivering a satisfying texture and a taste that's rich, savory, and delectably meaty. The super blend salad is lightly sautéed to create a medley of contrasting textures and flavors. But the star of the show is the microwave-ready sweet potato, acting as a delightful vessel that houses all the wonderful components. The final drizzle of avocado crema brings everything together with its smooth, velvety richness.

Sweet Potato Nachos: Prepare to delight your taste buds with our vibrant sweet potato nachos recipe, a fusion of flavors and textures that offers a unique take on a popular comfort food. The recipe starts with baking sweet potato fries to achieve a beautiful balance of crisp exteriors and soft, sweet interiors. A sautéed bell pepper and onion mix brings a delightful crunch and burst of flavor that marries perfectly with the sweet potatoes. Simmered Cuban black beans add a layer of hearty, protein-packed goodness, providing a nutritious twist to your usual nachos. The real magic happens when you layer on slices of smooth, creamy Havarti cheese, which melts into a deliciously gooey blanket, enveloping all the ingredients beneath it. Once everything is beautifully baked together, the resulting nachos are a carnival of flavors - crispy, creamy, sweet, and savory all at once.

Chicken Mole Sweet Potato Skillet: The sweet potato skillet recipe provides a rich and savory meal in just 14 minutes. This dish starts with the simplicity of microwave-ready sweet potatoes, cubed for easy consumption and matched with succulent ground chicken seared to perfection. The addition of vibrant red bell peppers adds a pleasing crunch and vibrant color to the mix. The dish is unified by a generous helping of authentic mole sauce, infusing it with a deep, complex flavor that is both comforting and exciting. Topped off with freshly chopped avocado for a creamy, cool contrast, this meal is a quick, easy, and delightfully different spin on a traditional skillet meal.