Cooking With Sweet Potatoes: Recipes, Tips, and More

If the humble sweet potato isn’t getting much love in your kitchen, let’s change that. And this tuber is good for more than roasting. Although there’s nothing wrong with topping one with all the fixings and calling it a meal, we have a few more ideas up our chef’s-coat sleeve, like gnocchi, waffles, and even chips. It’s time to get cooking and learn more about these sensational spuds!

What Are Sweet Potatoes?

A sweet potato is a root vegetable that’s long and tapered, with a smooth skin that ranges in color from purple and red to yellow, orange, and brown. The flesh comes in a rainbow of shades as well, orange being the most common option found in supermarkets. Sweet potatoes are thought to have originated in either Central or South America.

Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams

They’re often interchanged in recipes, but sweet potatoes and yams are actually two different vegetables. They both come from flowering plants, but that’s where most of the commonalities end. Here are the biggest differences:

Yams

• Native to Africa and Asia
• Related to lilies
• Range in size from small to large (some grow up to 5 feet tall!)
• Starchier and drier than sweet potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

• Native to Central and South America
• Part of the morning glory family
• Bake up soft and fluffy
• Two kinds: soft (copper skin with orange flesh) and firm (golden skin with pale flesh)

But here’s where things get confusing. Most of what are marketed as “yams” in your local grocery store are actually orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. In the United States, the firm variety of sweet potato was the first to be produced so when soft sweet potatoes came on the scene, they started being labeled as “yams” in supermarkets for two reasons: because they resembled yams (even though they’re not yams), and to differentiate them from the firm variety.

Sweet Potato Nutrition

Sweet potatoes are a source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives orange fruits and veggies (like carrots and butternut squash) their vibrant color, and converts to vitamin A in the body.

According to the USDA’s national nutrient database, one medium baked sweet potato (with skin) includes:

• 103 calories
• 2.3 grams of protein
• 0 grams of fat
• 100 percent recommended daily value of vitamin A
• 25 percent recommended daily value of vitamins C and B6

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes

How can we cook thee? Let us count the ways! Seriously, there are plenty of options, from the oven to the microwave.

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes

Roasting is one of the best ways to bring out the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect option for a winter side dish, or you can load up on the toppings like Greek yogurt, scallions, and crumbled bacon. Here’s a simple recipe to try.

Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe

Ingredients
3 sweet potatoes (about 1 ½ pounds)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F degrees. Scrub sweet potatoes and let them dry on a towel, then prick their skins with a fork. Place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and massage the potatoes with oil. Bake until tender, about 45 minutes.

How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes

If you’re short on time, stick a potato in the microwave and you’ll be good to go.

Microwaved Sweet Potato Recipe

Ingredients
1 medium sweet potato

Instructions
Scrub sweet potato, then prick the skin with a fork. Wrap in a damp paper towel and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the flesh feels soft and tender.

How to Pan-Fry Sweet Potatoes

Stick to the stovetop for an easy recipe that’ll leave you with crisp edges and tender flesh. Try the resulting spuds in a hash with onions and peppers, or toss them with a fresh arugula salad and goat cheese.

Pan-Fried Sweet Potato Recipe

Ingredients
1 large sweet potato
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
Scrub sweet potato and let it dry on a towel. Roughly chop into 1-inch pieces. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chopped sweet potatoes. Cook 3 minutes without stirring, then toss, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes more, or until tender.

How to Use Sweet Potatoes

You can do so much more with sweet potatoes than serve them up baked-potato style. Here are some ideas to get you going!

• Make sweet potato tacos with black beans and grilled red onions
• Add sweet potato purée to pancake or muffin batter
• Use mashed sweet potatoes as a base for roast chicken
• Add a scoop of roasted sweet potato to hummus for a golden color
• Swirl purée into morning oatmeal
• Whip up a breakfast hash with rosemary, onions, and red peppers

Sweet Potato Products

Get ready to line your pantry with some of our favorite sweet potato products. And don’t just take our word for it—hear from Thrive Market members who are raving about these top picks.

Farmer’s Market Foods Organic Sweet Potato Purée

All the work is done for you in this ready-to-use can of organic sweet potato purée. Add a scoop to muffins, pancakes, or even make it a base for bisque.

“Great to have on hand when I run out of sweet potatoes in my produce bin, and easy for mixing into all kinds of things.”
—Karen

Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips

Try this riff on a classic baked potato chip with a hint of cane sugar to enhance the natural nuttiness of the sweet potato. And they’re great for dipping—try fresh fruit salsa or onion dip.

“Addictive chips!!! These are dry, not oily, slightly sweet, and crunchy. I’ve recommended them to everyone I know who’s on a gluten-free diet. I just eat them because they’re delicious and healthy.”
—Bennie

Late July Organic Multigrain Snack Chips

You’ll be in love after just one crunch. These multigrain chips blend organic whole white and yellow corn with brown rice, chia, and sweet potato for a deliciously gluten-free snack.

“These chips taste amazing on their own! I love the sweet potato taste combined with the traditional tortilla crunch. The flavor is not overpowering (just enough of that sweet and salty delight), and they pair well with any salsa.”
—Roselita

Happy Family Organic Sweet Potato Happy Puffs

Sweetened with pure fruit juice and fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, these puffs are perfect for babies who are starting on solids and learning to self-feed.

“My baby loves these! A healthy snack to hold him off until his next meal or just to keep him occupied.”
—Elizabeth

Plum Organics Sweet Potato Baby Food

Introducing solids? Here’s a healthy way to help baby transition. This gently cooked organic sweet potato comes in a convenient and resealable quarter-cup pouch perfect for travel.

“I absolutely love these sweet potato pouches! Grownup- and child-approved!”
—Melissa W.

11 Sweet Potato Recipes

Enough reading, let’s eat! Whether you’re craving something comforting (don’t miss the white chicken chili) or have something a little more decadent in mind (like a creamy gratin), you’ll swoon over these gorgeous and tasty recipes.

White Chicken Chili With Sweet Potatoes

When you’re feeling the chill, nothing warms you up faster than a big bowl of chili. This bowl is Whole30-approved and extra luxurious thanks to a can of organic coconut cream. Freeze leftovers for a fast dinner anytime!

Sweet Potato Latkes

It doesn’t have to be a high holiday to whip up a batch of latkes. Shake up the usual recipe with our crispy and herbaceous version made with grassy celery root.

Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

This vegan side dish skips cream and opts for nutty almond butter instead. (Trust us.) Top it off with non-GMO vegan marshmallows and you’ll be ready to gobble up our plant-based version of a classic Thanksgiving recipe.

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes With Maple Crème Fraiche

This recipe is twice as nice thanks to a two-bake method that keeps the potatoes extra tender. The maple-infused whipped topping is heavenly, but you can swap in coconut cream to keep it vegan.

Sweet Potato Gratin

If dairy isn’t an issue, you’ll love the thick cream sauce that coats these thinly sliced spuds. A dash of nutmeg really rounds out the flavors.

Sweet Potato Hash Brown Waffles

Savory waffles = mind blown. We’re all for maple syrup, but change things up by adding cayenne, paprika, and scallions to give your batter an extra kick. With a crisp exterior thanks to the waffle maker, just add a fried egg, some avocado slices, and cilantro for an impressive brunch dish.

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries With Chipotle Mayo

You can’t go wrong with fries. Here cumin, cayenne, and chili powder bring just the right amount of heat, while a touch of coconut sugar helps bring out the natural sweetness. Dip ’em in a chipotle-lime mayo for the perfect finish.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

For these vegan and Paleo-friendly spuds, we pile the toppings high. Sautéed kale and creamy avocado add the green factor, and a drizzle of homemade tahini-turmeric dressing makes every bite extra creamy.

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

The secret to this recipe is slicing the potatoes wafer-thin with a mandoline. Then toss them in a seasoning blend of cumin, paprika, and salt before baking for an addictive snack.

Sweet Potato Spanish Omelet

Our rendition of a traditional tortilla española keeps things simple with caramelized onions and a medley of fresh spices. Serve it alongside ham and cheese for a tapas-inspired supper.

Hazelnut Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Here’s a perfect Italian meal when you’re feeling inspired to get hands-on in the kitchen. We use a blend of hazelnut flour and arrowroot flour to keep this dish gluten-free, then make a sauce of sautéed chanterelle mushrooms and fragrant sage butter.