- This comforting side dish is easy to prepare and can be easily mixed up by experimenting creatively with the toppings.
- Sweet potatoes are packed with anti-inflammatory antioxidants and fiber.
- Poking holes in the potato with a fork before baking will prevent the skin from splitting.
Our guide for How to bake a sweet potato are dead easy, whether you choose the oven or microwave method. With the beta-carotene in sweet potatoes and the gut-healthy fiber, you get tons of anti-inflammatory antioxidants. It tastes delicious as a plain potato with creamy butter, fresh chives and a pinch of black pepper. Get even more sweet potatoes in your week with one of our variations. Hearty and savory black beans take this to the next level, while the salsa penetrates the crevices of the meat with our Black beans and sweet potato salsa. The avocado crema is a tangy and refreshing addition. The sweet potato is the perfect backdrop for the spicy and savory BBQ chicken Version. And with ours, your breakfast will never look the same again Breakfast sweet potatoes with granolafilled with gut-healthy yogurt and fiber-rich granola and pecans. Read on for our expert tips on sweet potato roasting methods, ingredient and flavor additions, and more.
Tips from the EatingWell test kitchen
These are the top tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our test kitchen to make sure it works, tastes good, and is good for you too!
- To prevent the potatoes from splitting or splitting during cooking, prick them all over with a fork to allow the steam to escape.
- You can use leftover chicken or low sodium rotisserie chicken instead of making your own chicken and simply toss it in BBQ sauce.
- Consider topping your breakfast potatoes with rehydrated raisins. The plump consistency of the fruit goes well with the potatoes.
- Instead of making your own avocado crema, you can top the dish with store-bought guacamole.
Variations to try out
Black beans and salsa
Active: 20 min. Total: 1 hour 25 min
Prepare the basic recipe to step 2. Rinse 1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added black beans; Toss with ½ cup salsa and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add to sweet potatoes (⅓ cup heaped at a time). In a small bowl, mash the flesh of a small avocado with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 2 teaspoons lime juice; Place a dollop on top of the sweet potatoes, about 1½ tablespoons each. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon chopped fresh coriander.
BBQ chicken
Active: 15 min. Total: 1 hour 20 min
Mix 1 pound trimmed boneless, skinless chicken thighs with 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven for the last 15 minutes of baking the sweet potatoes or until cooked through (165°F). Chop up and mix with ½ cup of barbecue sauce. Stuff the sweet potatoes with the mixture. Sprinkle each sweet potato with 1 teaspoon chopped scallions.
Breakfast sweet potatoes with granola
Active: 15 min. Total: 1 hour 40 min
Let the baked sweet potatoes cool for 30 minutes. Mix 1 cup whole milk yogurt with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Add ¼ cup to each sweet potato. Top each sweet potato with ¼ cup granola and 1 tablespoon chopped toasted pecans.
Nutritional information
- sweet potatoes are rich in an antioxidant called beta-carotene, which helps reduce inflammation. It is also converted into vitamin A in our body – a vitamin that is essential for immunity and healthy vision.
- Black beans are a plant-based protein that can support muscle health and satiety. They are also a source of fiber, which is helpful for good digestion and maintaining a healthy and thriving microbiome.
- Chicken thighs are an excellent source of protein. They also contain potassium, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure. Chicken thighs can contain high levels of saturated fat if you don’t remove the skin. Therefore, cut them off before cooking.
- Natural yogurt made from whole milk may contain slightly more fat than low-fat or fat-free yogurt, but this fat is important for supporting the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including A, E, D, and K. If you choose a Greek-style yogurt with probiotics, you’ll get more protein and benefit from gut health, too.
