The short answer: The best sweet potato recipes are simple: roasted cubes, baked whole potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole and sweet potato pie, plus easy dinners like tacos, chili and sheet-pan bowls.
Our picks for sweet potato recipes
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Below are 25 ideas grouped by meal, with cook times and a roasting chart so you can pick one tonight.
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I love cooking with sweet potatoes in the fall because one bag can turn into a side, a dinner and a dessert in the same week.
Sweet potato side dishes
| Recipe | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roasted sweet potato cubes | 30 minutes | Oil, salt, 425°F |
| Baked sweet potatoes | 45 to 60 minutes | Top with butter and cinnamon |
| Mashed sweet potatoes | 30 minutes | Butter, milk, a pinch of nutmeg |
| Sweet potato fries | 30 minutes | Cornstarch helps them crisp |
| Sweet potato casserole | 1 hour | Marshmallow or pecan topping |
| Hasselback sweet potatoes | 1 hour | Thin slices, garlic butter |
| Maple roasted sweet potatoes | 35 minutes | Maple syrup and thyme |
| Twice-baked sweet potatoes | 1 hour 15 minutes | Make ahead for holidays |
Sweet potato dinner recipes
- Sweet potato and black bean tacos. Roast cubes with chili powder and serve with beans, salsa and lime.
- Sheet-pan chicken and sweet potatoes. Roast them together at 425°F. See more ideas in our sheet pan dinners list.
- Sweet potato chili. Add cubes to turkey or bean chili for body and a little sweetness.
- Stuffed sweet potatoes. Top baked potatoes with pulled chicken, broccoli and cheese.
- Sweet potato curry. Simmer with chickpeas, coconut milk and curry powder.
- Sausage and sweet potato skillet. Brown sausage, add cubes, peppers and onions.
- Sweet potato soup. Blend roasted sweet potatoes with broth, onion and ginger.
- Grain bowls. Pair roasted sweet potatoes with rice or quinoa, greens and a tahini dressing.
- Sweet potato shepherd's pie. Use mashed sweet potatoes as the topping.
Sweet potato breakfast ideas
- Sweet potato breakfast hash with eggs and peppers
- Sweet potato pancakes made with leftover mash
- Sweet potato toast: thin slices toasted until tender, topped with peanut butter or avocado
- Sweet potato muffins with cinnamon and oats
Sweet potato desserts
- Sweet potato pie, the classic Southern holiday dessert
- Sweet potato bread with warm spices
- Sweet potato cheesecake bars
- Sweet potato cookies with brown butter
Pair them with our Thanksgiving desserts list when you're planning the holiday table.
How long to cook sweet potatoes
| Method | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Roasted cubes (1 inch) | 425°F | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Baked whole, medium | 400°F | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Boiled cubes | Simmering water | 12 to 15 minutes |
| Microwaved whole | High | 5 to 8 minutes |
| Air fryer cubes | 400°F | 15 to 18 minutes |
| Slow cooker whole | Low | 6 to 8 hours |
Tips for better sweet potatoes
- Cut evenly. Same-size pieces cook at the same speed.
- Don't crowd the pan. Space helps the edges caramelize instead of steaming.
- Use high heat. 425°F gives browned edges and soft centers.
- Season both ways. Cinnamon and maple for sweet dishes, smoked paprika and garlic for savory ones.
- Cook once, eat twice. Roast a double batch for lunches and breakfast hash.
Sweet potatoes on a budget
Sweet potatoes are often one of the better-value vegetables in fall and winter, especially when stores run holiday sales in November. Buy a larger bag when the price drops, since raw sweet potatoes keep for weeks in a cool, dark spot. Plan meals that use the whole bag: a side on Sunday, tacos midweek and a mash that turns into pancakes on the weekend. Leftover roasted cubes also stretch more expensive proteins, so a pound of chicken or sausage goes further in a skillet or bowl. For more ways to save, see our guide to meal planning on a budget.
Buying, storing and nutrition
Pick firm sweet potatoes with smooth skin and no soft spots. Keep them in a cool, dark, dry spot rather than the refrigerator. Once cooked, refrigerate them within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days, following the USDA leftovers guidance. Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber and vitamin A, and they fit the vegetable-forward plates described at Nutrition.gov.
A simple sweet potato week
| Day | Meal |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Roast 2 trays of sweet potato cubes |
| Monday | Sweet potato and black bean tacos |
| Wednesday | Sheet-pan chicken with roasted sweet potatoes |
| Friday | Stuffed sweet potatoes with leftovers |
| Saturday | Breakfast hash with eggs |
For more seasonal ideas, see fall dinner ideas, Thanksgiving side dishes and butternut squash recipes. For white-potato dinners and sides in the same pantry lane, see potato recipes.
Write your sweet potato week on the Meal Planner & Grocery List. Hosting this month? The Meal Planner & Grocery List: Thanksgiving Edition ($4.99) maps your menu and cooking timeline. See every planner in our printables.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to cook sweet potatoes? Roasting is the easiest way to cook sweet potatoes: cube them, toss with oil and salt, and roast at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Baking them whole at 400°F for 45 to 60 minutes is even less work.
How long do you bake a whole sweet potato? A medium whole sweet potato bakes in about 45 to 60 minutes at 400°F. It is done when a knife slides into the center with no resistance.
Do you need to peel sweet potatoes? No, sweet potato skin is edible and holds extra fiber. Peel them for mashes, casseroles and pies when you want a smooth texture.
How do you microwave a sweet potato? To microwave a sweet potato, poke it several times with a fork and microwave it for 5 to 8 minutes, turning it halfway through. Let it rest 2 minutes before cutting.
How should I store raw sweet potatoes? Store raw sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place, not the refrigerator. Cold temperatures can harden the centers and change the flavor.
How long do cooked sweet potatoes last? Cooked sweet potatoes keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool them and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Can you freeze sweet potatoes? Yes, cooked sweet potatoes freeze well for up to 12 months. Mash or cube them, cool them, and freeze in flat freezer bags.
Are sweet potatoes and yams the same? Most orange yams in US grocery stores are actually sweet potatoes. True yams have rough, bark-like skin and white, starchy flesh.
What spices go with sweet potatoes? The spices that go best with sweet potatoes are cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar for sweet dishes, and smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin and garlic for savory ones. Rosemary and thyme also pair well.
Are sweet potatoes healthy? Sweet potatoes are a nutritious vegetable with fiber, vitamin A and potassium. Roasted or baked with a little oil, they fit easily into balanced meals.
What sweet potato recipes are best for Thanksgiving? Sweet potato casserole, sweet potato pie and maple roasted sweet potatoes are the classic Thanksgiving choices. The Meal Planner & Grocery List: Thanksgiving Edition ($4.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. helps you plan the side dishes and oven times.
How can I use sweet potatoes in weekly meal planning? Roast a big tray of sweet potatoes on Sunday and use them in bowls, tacos and breakfast hash all week. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. makes that easy to plan.
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Sources
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- Nutrition.gov: Healthy eating nutrition.gov