22 Sweet Potato Recipes Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Make
Sweet potatoes are one of those foods that somehow manage to be comfort food and health food at the same time.
They’re sweet, hearty, and super versatile—you can roast them, mash them, bake them, or even sneak them into desserts.
Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times sweet potatoes have saved me when I didn’t know what to cook.
So if you’ve ever stared at a pile of sweet potatoes and thought, “Now what?”, you’re in the right place.
I’ve rounded up 22 sweet potato recipe ideas that range from savory mains to decadent desserts.
Some are classics, others are a little out there (sweet potato brownies, anyone?), but every single one is worth trying.
1. Classic Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Let’s start with the OG. Butter, cream, salt, and mashed sweet potatoes create a silky, sweet, and savory side dish that fits with basically any meal. Add a pinch of cinnamon if you want to feel extra cozy.
2. Sweet Potato Fries
Honestly, these deserve their own food group. Cut sweet potatoes into strips, toss with olive oil, and roast until crispy. Serve with spicy mayo or garlic aioli for the ultimate snack. Ever notice how they disappear faster than regular fries? Exactly.
3. Baked Sweet Potatoes
This is the definition of “easy but impressive.” Bake them whole until tender, then top with butter, sour cream, or even chili. Pro tip: rub the skins with oil and salt before baking so they crisp up.
4. Sweet Potato Casserole
Ah yes, the holiday classic—sweet potatoes topped with buttery pecans or toasted marshmallows. It’s basically dessert pretending to be a side dish, and no one’s complaining.
5. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Cube them, toss with olive oil, salt, and your favorite spices, and roast until caramelized. They go with everything, from eggs to salads. My personal favorite combo? Sweet potato cubes + smoked paprika. Perfection.
6. Sweet Potato Hash
This one’s breakfast gold. Dice sweet potatoes, fry them up with onions, peppers, and maybe some sausage. Top with a fried egg and you’ve got a hearty start to the day.
7. Sweet Potato Soup
Velvety smooth, slightly sweet, and comforting—sweet potato soup feels like a hug in a bowl. Add coconut milk for richness or ginger for a little kick.
8. Sweet Potato Pie
Move over pumpkin pie. Sweet potato pie is creamy, rich, and slightly less heavy than its pumpkin cousin. Honestly, once you try it, you’ll wonder why pumpkin gets all the fame.
9. Sweet Potato Brownies
Yes, you read that right. Mashed sweet potatoes make brownies fudgy, moist, and slightly healthier. Don’t worry—you can still add chocolate chips.
10. Sweet Potato Pancakes
Swap regular potatoes for sweet ones in pancakes or latkes. They come out crisp, sweet, and perfect with sour cream or applesauce.
11. Sweet Potato Tacos
Who needs ground beef when you’ve got roasted sweet potatoes? Toss them with chili powder and cumin, then load them into tortillas with avocado and black beans. Meatless but never boring.
12. Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Homemade gnocchi can sound intimidating, but with sweet potatoes, it’s actually pretty simple. Toss the pillowy bites with brown butter and sage and you’ll look like a pro chef.
13. Sweet Potato Salad
Forget mayo-heavy potato salad. This one uses roasted sweet potatoes, arugula, feta, and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s fresh, filling, and way more exciting than the picnic classic.
14. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Swap the mashed potato topping with mashed sweet potatoes. It adds a hint of sweetness that balances the savory filling beautifully. Bonus: it looks prettier with that golden orange top.
15. Sweet Potato Chips
Thinly slice sweet potatoes, toss with olive oil, and bake until crisp. Sprinkle with sea salt or cinnamon sugar depending on your vibe. Way better than store-bought.
16. Sweet Potato Curry
Coconut milk + curry paste + sweet potatoes = magic. It’s creamy, filling, and perfect with rice or naan. And yes, it reheats like a dream.
17. Sweet Potato Bread
Think banana bread, but with sweet potatoes. Moist, lightly spiced, and perfect with a smear of butter. This one makes the whole kitchen smell incredible.
18. Sweet Potato Gratin
Layer thin slices of sweet potato with cream, garlic, and cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden. It’s like scalloped potatoes but with extra flavor.
19. Sweet Potato Waffles
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and naturally sweet. They’re amazing with fried chicken (yes, seriously) or just with maple syrup.
20. Sweet Potato Stuffed with Black Beans
Bake a sweet potato and stuff it with black beans, salsa, and avocado. It’s quick, healthy, and filling enough for dinner. Perfect for a weeknight when you don’t want to overthink it.
21. Sweet Potato Muffins
Moist, lightly sweet, and great for breakfast or snacks. Add nuts or cranberries if you’re feeling fancy. Pro tip: make a double batch because they vanish fast.
22. Sweet Potato Smoothie
Yes, sweet potatoes in a smoothie. Blend cooked sweet potato with banana, cinnamon, and almond milk. It’s creamy, naturally sweet, and feels like dessert in a glass.
Quick Tips for Cooking Sweet Potatoes
- Size matters. Smaller sweet potatoes cook faster and more evenly.
- Don’t skip the skin. It’s loaded with nutrients and tastes great when roasted.
- Pair wisely. Sweet potatoes love spices like cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic.
- Make extras. Cook a big batch and use them throughout the week in salads, bowls, or tacos.
Why Sweet Potatoes Deserve More Love
Sweet potatoes aren’t just tasty—they’re packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. But honestly, I eat them because they taste amazing, not because they’re healthy. That’s just a nice bonus. Ever noticed how they can swing from savory dinner to indulgent dessert without missing a beat? That’s culinary talent right there.
My Go-To Sweet Potato Recipe
If I had to pick just one, I’d go with roasted sweet potato cubes with smoked paprika. They’re crispy, caramelized, and ridiculously easy. I make them at least once a week, usually while pretending I’ll “save some for later” (spoiler: I never do).
Final Thoughts
Sweet potatoes might be humble, but they’re ridiculously versatile. From crispy fries to decadent pies, these 22 sweet potato recipes ideas prove you can work them into breakfast, dinner, or even dessert without breaking a sweat.
So next time you’re staring at a pile of sweet potatoes, you won’t be stuck wondering what to do. The real question is—which one will you try first? IMO, you can’t go wrong with fries, but hey, I won’t judge if you head straight for the brownies.