53 Sweet Potato Recipes That Prove It’s a Bonafide Pantry All-Star
Consider this a love letter to the sweet potato recipes we rely on again and again. Because sweet potatoes, with their rich interiors and beautifully crispable edges, really can make any dinner—or brunch, or lunch, or dessert—significantly more tasty. The sweet potato dishes below are just a few favorites of ours, including ginger-spiced sweet potato soup, pillowy gnocchi, crunchy fritters, tender loaf cakes, and an epic take on cheese fries to enjoy while watching football this weekend. Not sure which recipe for sweet potato casserole to make this Thanksgiving? You'll find a few different crowd-pleasing options on this list. Scroll down to start saving recipes.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kate Buckens1/53Cheesy Loaded Sweet Potatoes
This is one of our favorite flexible sweet potato recipes for weeknights. All you need to do is steam halved sweet potatoes up to three days in advance, then stick them under the broiler to warm up. Give them the taco bar treatment with sour cream, avocado, radishes, pickled onions, and your favorite hot sauce.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi2/53
Sweet Potato Casserole With Easy Candied Pecans
This comfort food casserole is certainly an essential Thanksgiving side dish, right up there alongside brussels sprouts and stuffing. For this version, you’ll skip the marshmallows and top with a buttery pecan and brown sugar combo.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/53
Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Brown Butter and Sage
Did you know you can make gnocchi out of practically any vegetable? These sweet potato dumplings have a light texture, thanks to the addition of fresh ricotta cheese.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Kim4/53
Sweet Potato Pie
Sure, you can make this classic sweet potato pie without the added crispy brown sugar pecan praline topping, but on a special occasion, we’d urge you not to skip it.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova5/53
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Big-batch sweet potato recipes like this one will set you up well for the week. Once the sweet spuds are roasted, it’s just a matter of re-warming and getting serious about toppings.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/53
Basque-Style Sweet Potato Cheesecake
In this Basque-inspired delight from Epi contributor Tara O’Brady, the concentrated flavor of roasted sweet potatoes brings a touch of fall to the table.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley7/53
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Some of the greatest recipes for sweet potatoes are elegantly simple, like this silky six-ingredient stalwart, sweetened with maple syrup and enriched with warm heavy cream or half-and-half.
- Photo by Eric Wolfinger8/53
Baked Eggs in Sweet Potato Boats With Herb Relish
It’s just fun to serve sweet potato boats for dinner, and this simple herb relish, made with parsley, cilantro, capers, raisins, shallot, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar, adds a pop of flavor.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce9/53
A Vegetarian’s Dream Sweet Potato Dinner
Planning a vegetarian feast? Pair roasted sweet potatoes with crispy mushrooms, tender lentils, and top with a vibrant dill-spiked feta-tahini sauce.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne10/53
Chana Masala Cheese Fries
Sweet potato season happens to coincide with football season. This sheet pan of sweet potato fries, crowned with an assortment of savory, creamy, spicy, and bright toppings, is the ultimate football-watching snack.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich11/53
Sweet Potato Date Muffins
Sweet potato purée and banana bind the ingredients in this vegan recipe, while adding a light, earthy sweetness to the batter. These make a great grab-and-go breakfast for busy mornings, so you may want to double the batch and stash them in your freezer.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert12/53
Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Spiced Maple Glaze
Looking for easy recipes with sweet potatoes to serve alongside roast chicken? This one just might be a new favorite.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert13/53
Quick Vegetable Massaman Curry
This hearty root vegetable curry requires just 45 minutes of active prep time—and a total time of 1 hour—thanks to store-bought Thai red curry paste and the fact that there’s no meat that needs to cook low and slow.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi14/53
Sweet Potato Casserole With Graham Cracker Streusel
If you simply must have toasty marshmallows on your Thanksgiving sweet potatoes, here’s the recipe for you.
- Photo by JP Bevins, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone15/53
Slow-Cooker Green Chicken Chili
Store-bought tomatillo salsa is the secret ingredient for this easy, flavorful green chili, but the cook time is up to you. Simmer in the slow cooker for an all-day hands-off event, or toss into a Dutch oven on the stovetop for something faster.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton16/53
Sweet-Potato Cobbler
In this classic Juneteenth dessert, cubed sweet potatoes are dressed in a brown-sugar syrup flavored with cinnamon and allspice, and topped with a flaky rolled biscuit crust.
- Photo by Alexandra Shytsman17/53
Sweet Potato–Tahini Dip With Za'atar
Since the base of this dip is so simple—mostly sweet potatoes and tahini—the homemade za’atar with herbs, sumac, and sesame really punches up the flavor.
- Photo by Alex Lau18/53
Spiced Sweet Potato Sandwich With Feta
If you’ve never tried sweet potato in a sandwich, the time is now. Remember to season each element well before beginning sandwich construction.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Mariana Velasquez19/53
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Beans and Guacamole
For a hearty vegetarian meal, pile your sweet potatoes with canned beans, a quick guacamole, and whatever greens you have on hand.
- Photo by Johnny Miller20/53
Farro Salad With Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Red Onion, and Goat Cheese
The great thing about grain bowls is their flexibility. Here, sweet potatoes and red onions caramelize gorgeously in the oven, then get tossed with earthy goat cheese and a zippy vinaigrette to balance things out. Feel free to play—roasted beets or butternut squash would be lovely additions, as would hazelnuts, almonds, or feta.
- Photo by Philip Haynes21/53
Sweet Potato Fritters with Poached Eggs and Avocado
Whip together these simple sweet potato pancakes (just shredded potatoes and an egg) for breakfast and top with creamy avocado and a runny poached egg.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Laura Rege22/53
Sweet Potato Sonker With Milk Dip
This North Carolinian cobbler-like dessert, featuring both a bottom crust and lattice top, is topped with a sweetened milk “dip” after its first bake, then tucked back into the oven so the dip forms a rich glaze.
- Photo by Joff Lee23/53
Halloumi and Sweet Potato Burgers
Squeaky halloumi cheese offers lots of satisfying bite. It’s delicious paired with creamy smashed avocado and these sesame-crusted veggie burgers.
- Photo by Jerrelle Guy24/53
Sweet Potato Rice Crispies
In this recipe from cookbook author Jerrelle Guy, the best flavors of sweet potato casserole fuse together into your favorite sweet-and-crunchy childhood treat.
- Photo by Steph Gaudreau25/53
Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowls
You might be eating sweet potatoes for fiber or Vitamin C, but we like them for breakfast just because of the flavor. This bowl adds crispy bacon, tangy blueberries, sweet banana, and crunchy almonds, and can be served hot or cold.
- Photo by Linda Pugliese, Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer26/53
Sweet Potato Bread With Caramel and Pecans
Gently spiced pecans and a salty caramel topping give this quick bread all the fall vibes. Smear with cream cheese or just eat plain—or bring to neighbors as a gift.
- Photo by Nicole Franzen27/53
Grain Bowl With Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Spiced Chickpeas, and Chard
A great grain bowl is all about balance. Here, you’ll pair a spicy, creamy poblano sauce with sautéed greens plus roasted sweet potatoes and crispy chickpeas, all on a bed of quinoa, rice, or farro.
- Photo by Peden + Munk28/53
Roasted and Marinated Root Vegetables
Crisp up the vegetables after they’ve had a chance to soak up the marinade—or don’t, they’re delicious at room temperature, or even cold. Serve in a composed salad with burrata and charred kale.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini. Salad Bowl Courtesy of Heath Ceramics.29/53
Torn Potatoes of Many Colors With Chile-Lime Butter
Sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, and your regular Yukon Golds look pretty mixed together on a big platter with jewel-like pomegranate arils and cilantro, lime, and chile compound butter.
- Photo by Alex Lau30/53
Charred Sweet Potatoes With Honey and Olive Oil
Japanese sweet potatoes are starchier than jewel or garnet yams and worth seeking out. The trick is to steam them before grilling to keep them moist.
- Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell31/53
Spiced Sweet Potato and Parsnip Tian
With apple cider, Aleppo pepper, fresh thyme, and mandoline-sliced sweet potatoes, this dish will look stunning on your Thanksgiving buffet.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes32/53
Sweet Potato Fritters
Earthy-sweet cornmeal, in combination with all-purpose flour and an egg, is the binder in this recipe. The resulting snack is something like a sweet-potato hush puppy, which is to say that it’s very, very good.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton33/53
3-Ingredient Sweet Potato Casserole With Maple Pecans
In this classic holiday side dish, maple syrup pumps up the flavor of puréed sweet potatoes and provides a sweet glaze for the extra-peppery candied pecans.
- Photo by Angelica Mari34/53
Sweet Potato and Pecan Waffles
Make a big batch of these bright orange waffles on a slow weekend morning—then freeze the leftovers to pop in the toaster during the week.
- Peden & Munk35/53
Seared Sweet Potatoes with Sausage and Radicchio
Crunchy toasted pecans and roasted slabs of sweet potato mellow the bitter radicchio in this autumnal sweet potato salad.
- Photo by Gregory Waldo, food styling by Katherine Sacks36/53
Ash-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Take one of our best sweet potato recipes on a camp-out—or right into your own backyard. This is campfire cooking at its finest.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes37/53
Sweet-Potato Pie with Gingersnap Pecan Crust
In many sweet-potato pies, the ginger and spices can overwhelm the potatoes. Here we play to the flavor of the tuber; the spicy nuttiness from the gingersnap pecan crust accentuates the pie’s luscious creaminess.
- Romulo Yanes38/53
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes With Bacon-Sesame Brittle
You could serve this sweet and savory baked potato as a delicious fall side dish, but we’d be happy with one as a main course alongside a simple green salad.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich39/53
Black Lentil and Harissa-Roasted Veggie Bowl
Prep for a week of lunches with this easy recipe: Slather sweet potatoes and cherry tomatoes with harissa and roast, then cook a pot of lentils and toss in a simple vinaigrette. Store separately and then bring together (room temp is fine) with fresh cilantro and more of that dressing to serve.
- Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich40/53
Shingled Sweet Potatoes With Harissa
Harissa lends spiciness and earthiness to this savory alternative to the usual sweet potato casserole. A topping of pistachios mixed with sesame and fennel seeds adds crunch.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell41/53
Pannelet Cookies With Sweet Potato and Coconut
These bite-size golden-orange Spanish cookies are delicate, flavorful and naturally gluten-free. A combination of ground almonds and lemon zest gives them nutty, bright flavor.
- Photo by Johnny Miller42/53
Sweet Potato and Kale Pizza
Instead of tomato sauce, this kale and goat cheese pizza uses sweet potato mash, and we happen to think the subtle sweetness perfectly complements the salty cheese. Try it as the star of your fall dinner party menu.
- 43/53
Thyme-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Dress up your sweet potatoes with fragrant fresh thyme and punchy minced garlic, which turns savory-sweet in the oven. This side dish works equally well with a burnished roast turkey or a simple pork tenderloin.
- Jonathon Kambouris44/53
Sweet Potato Cupcakes
Watch out, carrot cake. This combo of sweet potato cupcake and cream cheese frosting (with a sprinkle of candied cranberries) might just steal your crown.
- Jody Horton45/53
Sautéed Pork Chops with Sweet Potato, Apples and Mustard Sauce
You’ll be amazed how easy it is to pull this hearty meal together; even the cider-based mustard sauce is a snap to prepare and perfect with pork chops.
- Photo by Matt Duckor47/53
Patti LaBelle-Style Sweet Potato Pie
This rich Southern stunner, adapted from Patti LaBelle’s cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine, is one of our best sweet potato recipes for whenever you need a show-stopping dessert.
- Photo by Stephen Hamilton48/53
Roasted Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
While this soup is fabulous with homemade stock, store-bought low-sodium chicken stock or water will also work fine, since you’re adding plenty of flavor via minced fresh ginger, jalapeño, coriander, and nutmeg.
- Leela Cyd49/53
Sweet Potato and Caramelized Onion Hash
This is one of those sweet potato dishes that can be prepped ahead. Roast the sweet potato mixture on a baking sheet, then divide it into individual ramekins the night before serving. In the morning, top each with an egg and bake while you brew some coffee.
- 50/53
Sweet Potato Macaroni and Cheese
Nigella Lawson calls this the best macaroni and cheese she’s ever eaten. The earthy sweetness of sweet potato balances salty cheddar and feta cheeses. Serve with garlicky green beans or roasted broccoli.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt51/53
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Curried Chickpeas and Mushrooms
Here’s the truth: You can stuff sweet potatoes with basically any ingredients that sound good to you. This Indian-inspired version is loaded with spiced chickpeas, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Emma Ringness52/53
Cornmeal-Crusted Sweet Potato Wedges
Everybody loves sweet potato fries, but sometimes it’s tricky to get them actually crispy at home. This clever method gets you there.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Laura Rege53/53
Spicy Cornbread Stuffing With Chorizo and Sweet Potatoes
This flavor-packed spin on stuffing is one of our favorite sweet potato recipes. But you definitely don’t need to wait for Turkey Day to enjoy it.
Tiffany Hopkins
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