20+ Delicious Recipes That Will Teach You How to Prep, Cook, and Eat a Sweet Potato
Consider this a course in sweet potatoes. A virtual Sweet Potato 101, if you will. Sweet potatoes are a versatile vegetable that can be used in any number of recipes. With so many ways to enjoy them, it’s not hard to see how they have become one of the most popular foods in America!
Are sweet potatoes good for you?
High in nutrients and low in calories, Sweetpotatoes from California are a designated superfood. They’re also fat- and cholesterol-free and a great source of dietary fiber which, among other things, can help you feel full and satisfied longer.
- Because of California’s climate sweet potatoes are cured right in the soil, while they’re still on the vine, rather than curing them after harvest in storage sheds. Not only is vine-curing naturally chemical-free—but it also increases the sweet potatoes’ shelf life.
- Sweet potatoes have more potassium per ounce than a banana and more beta carotene than carrots!
Sweet potato vs yam?
Talk about a controversy in the food space! Did you know that the yams you see at your local grocery store across the entire United States are actually sweet potatoes?!
In short, all so-called “yams” in your local supermarket are in fact sweet potatoes! You’ve probably never even seen an actual yam, to be honest. Curious to know more?
While sweet potatoes are called “potatoes,” they aren’t related to white potatoes at all. They come in many colors besides the more familiar orange. With flesh that can vary from white to orange and even purple! The different colors of sweetpotato have subtly different flavors and textures ranging from super sweet to rather mild.
Sorry, You’ve Never Eaten a Yam!
Our friend Jerry James Stone went to great length about the topic in this blog post and video.
It’s really fascinating to see how it all plays out!
If you are more of a visual learner, he also made a video about sweet potatoes vs yams too! Watch it below!
Have you ever wondered, how are sweetpotatoes grown?
California’s sunshine and warm, dry climate mean our sweetpotato vines are lush and fast-growing, with a longer growing season allowing year-round supply.
Because of our climate, we can cure California sweet potatoes right in the soil, while they’re still on the vine, rather than curing them after harvest in storage sheds. Not only is vine-curing naturally chemical-free – but it also increases our sweet potatoes’ shelf life.
What you really should know is that California sweet potatoes are each selected, planted, sorted, sized, and packed by hand. Farmers and farmworkers getting up close and personal with each sweetpotato ensures that they reach their high standards. Plus, using less machinery minimizes scarring and scratching—so our sweetpotatoes are not only prettier, they’re fresher longer.
Do you want to know more about how sweet potatoes are grown in California? We strapped on our mud boots and followed the sweetpotato harvest so that we could share the entire process with you!
How Farmers Grow Sweet Potatoes in California
We talked with two veritable sweetpotato experts, Jason Tucker and Brad Ralls, who walked us through the entire process, from selecting and growing the right plants all the way to packaging.
Is “sweetpotato” one word or two?
According to our friends at California Sweetpotatoes, “sweetpotato” is correct because their product is not, in fact, a sweet potato.
As we discussed earlier it’s not a potato at all, but botanically an entirely different vegetable, gifted with a totally different set of better-for-you nutrients, amazing taste, and incredible versatility. So sweetpotatoes—one word—is in fact grammatically correct.
You probably have more knowledge about sweetpotatoes than anyone you know at this point in our article – feel free to blow the minds with that whole sweet potato vs yam factoid. You can send them here when they try to prove you wrong!
20+ ways to prepare and cook a sweet potato.
From sweet to savory and everything in-between these are our favorite sweetpotato recipes from some of our most trusted recipe developers. These tried and true recipes are sure to deliver excellent results every single time.
Techniques for cooking a sweet potato that is the star of the dish:
Did you know there’s a secret to making the perfect roasted sweet potato? Meg of This Mess is Ours walks you through the easiest, fastest, and most delicious way to roast a sweet potato (in the oven) step-by-step.
Plus, she shares her one simple trick for taking your oven-roasted sweet potatoes to the next level! Just look at those caramelized edges!!
Sweet Potato Crisps
These easy + delicious Sweet Potato Crisps from No Crumbs Left are a perfect snack, as a side dish, or on a salad. Serve them up with Creamy Tomato Dressing (recipe included) for even more deliciousness.
How to make crispy sweet potato fries in the oven.
Crispy, delicious Baked Sweet Potato Fries that really hold up!
Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries can be tricky. After LOTS of trial and error, KC the GFree Foodie shared a bevy of sweet potato fry-baking tips that cannot be missed.
How to bake a whole sweet potato in the Air Fryer.
Ever wondered if you can cook a whole sweet potato in the air fryer? Turns out, you can and Vegetarian Mama can show you how.
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato is a delicious side dish to compliment any meal. Just pop the sweet potatoes in the air fryer and you’ll have a sweet treat in no time.
How to cook a hasselback sweet potato.
Ok, you got me – this doesn’t look like a traditional Hasselback potato of any sort. But, in theory, it’s all the same – except ultra-crispy and more delicious.
Try our Hasselback Sweet Potato Skewers! The secret to this new wave twist on a Hasselback sweet potato recipe lies in a unique slicing method followed by soaking in water to remove any starch before cooking.
How to cook Honey BBQ flavored Sweet Potato Chips.
We can’t stop eating KC the G-Free Foodie’s easy and delicious homemade Honey BBQ Sweetpotato Chips!
These snacks are naturally gluten-free and Paleo-friendly. Which basically means you will be winning game day!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Creamy Chive Dressing
These roasted sweet potatoes from No Crumbs Left are the perfect side dish! They are Whole30, packed with nutrients, and so satisfying and delicious.
Delicious mashed sweetpotato recipes:
How to make whipped sweet potatoes.
Leave it to Sarah of The Delicious Life to provide us with this visual stunner of a recipe! Savory Whipped Sweet Potatoes three ways.
How to make mashed sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot.
This Instant Pot recipe is spicy, and sweet while being a perfect savory side dish! Plus,thsi side dish recipe cooks in 30 minutes from start to finish!
A dash of cayenne pepper, lime juice, and fresh cilantro really makes the flavors sing in this recipe! Plus, it is vegan, Whole30, and paleo which means this mash from Nom Nom Paleo goes well with everything!
Swap up the flavors in your mash!
This Apple Cider Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Onions recipe from Yes to Yolks is a total Thanksgiving day game changer!
This dish is slightly sweet, spiced, and super creamy thanks to apple cider and butter in the mash.
We can’t wait to try this version during the holiday season topped with crispy air fryer shallots!
Savory recipes using sweet potato as a main ingredient:
How to cook sweetpotato chips.
Our friend Aida of Salt & Wind recently created a few delicious wine pairings for us and this recipe was one of them.
The smoky, crisp sweet potato combined with the light, sweet, peppery, herbed goat cheese is pure appetizer magic.
It’s one of those dishes you can serve as a start to Thanksgiving without filling people up or as part of a cocktail party as an unexpectedly indulgent bite.
A Spectacular Vegetable Enchilada
This spectacular vegetable enchilada recipe is a delicious and healthy dinner option you can make any night of the week. Filled to the brim with oven-roasted sweet potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and beans these enchiladas are sure to satisfy.
How to cook sweetpotato gnocchi.
Our Pumpkin and Roasted Sweet Potato Gnocchi is the perfect activity for chilly fall evenings. Turn on some tunes, pour a glass of wine, and lose yourself in the creative process of making gnocchi from scratch.
How to cook sweet potato rolls.
These tender, fluffy Purple Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls from Baking the Goods have an undeniably moist and buttery bite with subtle sweet notes and a pretty in dusty pink-ish purple hued interior, topped with a crunchy sprinkle of poppy seeds.
How to cook a sweetpotato tostada.
Kate of Hola Jalapeno has us weak in the knees over these Spicy Cinnamon-Spiked Sweet Potato Tostadas! Spicy sweet heat?! YES please!
How to make sweetpotato latkes
This spicy-sweet take on Jewish potato pancakes from The Bojon Gourmet, are kissed with harissa, chickpea flour, and smoked paprika then topped with a zippy yogurt sauce and pomegranate arils for crunch and color.
How to cook sweet potato waffles.
These Savory Sweet Potato Waffles with Garlic Crème Fraîche from Eat the Love make an incredible breakfast or brunch item for Easter or anytime of the year!
How to season homemade sweetpotato fries!
These Mexican Street Corn inspired oven fries from Britney Bakes Bread have a delicious crema with lime juice, topped with cotija cheese, and cilantro.
How to use sweet potatoes in salad recipes:
How to use sweet potato in a potato salad.
This Sweet Potato Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing from KC the GFree Foodie can be served cold or room temperature. If you haven’t tried sweet potatoes in potato salad, this is definitely the time to start.
Sweet recipes using sweet potatoes as a main ingredient:
How to cook Sweet Potato Casserole.
This Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole with a delicious brown sugar, cinnamon, & pecan topping from Wheat by the Wayside is what Thanksgiving dreams are made of!
How to bake sweetpotato cinnamon rolls.
Our friend Irvin of Eat the Love filled these sweet potato cinnamon rolls with pecans and marshmallows along with a cream cheese frosting that is perfect for the Fall!
How to use sweetpotato in dessert.
These homemade Sweet Potato Marshmallow Bars from Britney Breaks Bread are so fluffy and buttery and the perfect treat for when you want something sweet!
This dessert recipe calls for sweet potato puree in the batter and yields a perfectly spiced, rich, indulgent dessert recipe.
How to make sweetpotato donuts.
These Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Donuts from Yes to Yolks are moist and fluffy, spiced and sweet, and covered in an addicting cinnamon-sugar coating. Who knew sweetpotatoes belonged in donuts?!
How to bake sweet potatoes into a cake.
This cake recipe from Bakes by Brown Sugar is moist and flavorful. Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg enhance the flavor of this delicious cake which is good all by itself or with a delicious whipped mascarpone topping.
Be sure to share your California Grown Sweetpotato creations with us by snapping a pic and tagging us on social using #CAGROWN.
Craving more CA Grown goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!
I tried the recipe really well and it turned out amazing. Thank you for the recipe. It’s really very similar to my recipe.