20+ Different Ways to Eat Sweet Potatoes
- January 20, 2021
- Last Updated: April 16, 2023
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- Recipes
Sweet potatoes, in my opinion, are one of the most versatile foods around. There are several different ways to eat sweet potatoes that we’ll review in this post.
They are great for kids, adults, older adults, athletes, etc. I’ll even add that dogs love them! My dog, Tater (yep – that’s really her name), loves mashed sweet potatoes mixed into her dry dog food.
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Let’s talk about why I love sweet potatoes so much and share several healthy different sweet potato recipes.
Through these recipes, we have learned that there are several ways to eat sweet potatoes and enjoy their nutritional greatness.
Nutrition Content of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are nutritionally dense, which is one reason why they are an appealing food to all people, even little people.
As a matter of fact, sweet potatoes for baby led weaning are always one of the first foods we introduce. This is because they can be pureed or served as finger foods.
Finger foods that kids can grasp is huge.
Using sweet potato for baby finger food is probably easier than you imagined.
And even as babies become toddlers, there are still ways to continue to enjoy them, as evidenced in these sweet potato recipes for toddlers.
One medium sweet potato provides about four grams of fiber, and provides more than your daily recommended allotment of Vitamin A, an important nutrient for immune health.
Sweet potatoes are also high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is important for the absorption of non heme iron (necessary for plant based eating and vegan recipes).
Furthermore, sweet potatoes can be a great source of post workout electrolytes, too.
They naturally offer potassium and magnesium, and you can top them with sodium, making them the perfect post workout food.
Different Kinds of Sweet Potatoes
You may be familiar with the traditional Covington or Beauregard sweet potato (which is sometimes confused with a yam but there are differences between sweet potatoes and yams).
There are so many varieties of sweet potatoes available, ranging from white and mild to a deeper red.
Many of them may be locally grown, so the best way to find and enjoy them would be through your local farmers market.
Some other sweet potato varieties include:
- white sweet potatoes (may look like a white potato)
- Japanese sweet potatoes (red skin, dry, white flesh)
- Okinawa (gorgeous purple interior)
- Satsuma-Imo (have a creamy, starchy white interior)
According to home stratosphere, there are several more varieties grown in each state, too!
Ways to Eat Sweet Potatoes
There are SO many ways to eat a sweet potato – you’ll be amazed at the things you can do with them and what you can eat with sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes can be used in so many recipes, from breads and muffins, to pasta and pizza crust.
I actually have ALL of these options on my blog, so I felt like it would be a great one stop resource to accumulate them all in one place.
By the way, butternut squash is a great replacement for sweet potatoes in many of these recipes if you prefer!
Similarly, this butternut and beetroot salad is stellar with sweet potatoes, too!
Many of these serve as easy recipes for leftover sweet potatoes, as well.
Whether you mash them, or have already baked or cooked them, don’t let them go to waste! The best way to eat a sweet potato is the way you like it.
There is no best food to eat with a sweet potato, because they pair nicely with so many foods and food groups!
Fruits, like blueberries, go really well with sweet potatoes. And sweet potato and kale or spinach are nice accompaniments as well.
Sweet potatoes and greek yogurt are also a wonderful carbohydrate-protein match (like in a sweet potato smoothie).
And for your sweet tooth, sweet potato chocolate chip bread (a big version of sweet potato chocolate chip muffins) and even sweet potato breakfast cookies are wonderful.
Without further adieu, here we go.
Unique Ways to Eat Sweetpotatoes
Sweet potatoes are a versatlie ingredient that can be used in nachos, smoothies, pizza crust, breads, muffins, pasta and more!
This Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pizza Crust is a wholesome, gluten free and vegan pizza crust alternative that you can decorate with your favorite options. As a plant based pizza crust, it's full of flavor, fiber, nutrients and antioxidants and makes for a great post run canvas for toppings of your choice.
These air fryer sweet potato wedges are incredibly easy and tasty to make - you'll never want to make them any other way!
Oven baked kabobs are great any time of year, whether you have a grill or not. With a tantalizing flavor blend of chicken, sweet potatoes, veggies and a lemon herb marinade, these easy kabobs in the oven are a must make.
This butter chicken rice bowl has a fun and delicious twist. The sweetpotatoes add so much flavor and nourishment, you won't be able to stop at one bowl!
Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Zucchini Muffins are a tasty, portable snack option for your little ones. These zucchini and sweet potato muffins are full of veggies and provide a dairy-free option for those who need it
These Sweet Potato Pretzel Bites look fancy but are an easy sweet potato appetizer recipe, great for any time of day. They provide a combination of sweet, savory and salty and are quite addicting!
Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Bread is a healthy option for your sweet tooth! Made with sweet potatoes, whole wheat flour and oat flour, this bread is soft and fluffy and provides a healthy pre or post workout option.
Mix this easy sweet potato spaghetti with traditional pasta or enjoy these sweet potato zoodles on their own, with a creamy sweet potato pasta sauce!
This Healthy Sweet Potato Bread with Blueberries will quickly become your favorite holiday staple and will impress your guests. This sweet potato quick bread combines the flavors of fresh, fall sweet potatoes with wild blueberries to create a slightly tart yet sweet, moist, fluffy bread.
Pumpkin sweet potato soup combines the hearty, nourishing flavors of autumn in an easy 30 minute vegan instant pot recipe.
These customizable sweet potato black bean nachos are great as a weeknight dinner, vegetarian nachos recipe, or football food. Easy to make for groups and great for kids!
This bright hued sweet potato beet smoothie is the best post workout smoothie recipe. Made with mango, beets and sweet potatoes, it's antioxidant rich, and helps replenish and restore your muscles to expedite recovery.
Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese is the answer to your cheesy pasta dreams. A mixture of whole wheat pasta, mashed sweet potato, cheese and kale make this savory sweet potato pasta dish a real winner.
This Sweet Potato Kale Hash recipe is an easy way to add veggies to your breakfast. Full of flavor and nutrients, this vegan breakfast hash will be a morning favorite!
This Sweet Potato Oatmeal Bake with Blueberries is the perfect quick and nutritious breakfast option, great for your meal prep oatmeal needs. It’s ready in 30 minutes, great for crowds, and the perfect pre- workout snack!
These no bake 5 ingredient peanut butter energy bites are a great on-the-go snack. Made with oats, sweet potatoes, peanut butter, coconut and some spices, these sweet potato bites are everything you'd want in a healthy portable snack.
Sweet Potato Vegan Edible Cookie Dough is the perfect appetizer for your sweet tooth. This vegan cookie dough recipe is made with natural ingredients and goes perfectly with fruit, chocolate and graham crackers, making it one of the best healthy vegan desserts!
This Sweet Potato, Beet and Quinoa Breakfast Scramble is a perfect quick and savory breakfast option. It's ready in 20 minutes, full of nourishing veggies, can be made in bulk, and is great for those busy mornings!
This Sweet Potato Kale Pizza is a delicious and easy vegetarian pizza option that makes for a fun homemade pizza night!
This Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch option. Filled with protein, carbohydrates, and antioxidants, it's a quick and easy sweet potato egg bake and meal prep casserole.
This veggie sweet potato avocado breakfast pizza is filling with both complex carbohydrates and satiating protein. It's also bursting with flavor and a great way to start the day with veggies!
These Spinach Sweet Potato Tots are a fun way to offer nutrient dense toddler vegetable recipes to your little ones. Packed with iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and carbohydrates, this veggie tots recipe is great for meal prep and the side to any meal.
Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes are an easy, family-friendly appetizer or snack that requires minimal ingredients and prep time. Just stick them in the oven or air fryer and you're done! Paired with a delicious and refreshing lime yogurt sauce, these are irresistible!
These easy ground turkey sweet potato burgers offer a delicious, flavorful twist on your original turkey burger. Sweet potato patties are chock full of antioxidants and can be made as a paleo turkey burger and gluten free turkey burger without the bun.
These Buttery Cheddar Smashed Sweet Potatoes only require 6 ingredients, and are the perfect mix of sweet and savory. A cheesy and buttery outside combines with a soft and sweet inside that will tantalize your tastebuds.
Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Sweet Potatoes is an easy sheet pan fall dinner made with delicious pork tenderloin with apples and sweet potatoes.
Sarah Schlichter is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition. She specializes in family nutrition, sports nutrition and intuitive eating. She also co-hosts the podcast, Nail Your Nutrition.
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