You probably gobble up sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving but don’t think to use these orange taters all year round. Rookie mistake! Loaded with vitamins A, C and B6, sweet potatoes are extremely versatile and can be used year round in breakfasts, lunches, dinners and more — even before T-day leftovers force you to use them. Try one of these sweet potato recipes, stat! Slightly sweet and outrageously orange, the sweet potato’s about to become your new best spud.
15 Delicious Sweet Potato Recipes You’ll Want ASAP
1. Sweet Potato Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Gluten-free, vegan and sans refined sugars, these muffins don’t mess around! They make a hearty on-the-go breakfast or a satisfying snack since they’re fortified with heart-healthy oats and chia seeds. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
2. Sweet Potato Soufflé
Don’t let dessert have all the fluffy fun. This savory soufflé has a delicate balance of sweet potato and goat cheese. Make this as a starter for a dinner party or pair it with a salad for lunch. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
3. Sweet Potato Pancakes
Perfect for weekend brunch or post-Thanksgiving breakfast, you can easily use mashed sweet potatoes to cook up some oh-so-good pancakes. These contain one secret ingredient: cottage cheese. It amplifies the protein count and provides a touch of tanginess to the potatoes’ sweet flavor. Photo and recipe: Alexa Schirm / Life by Daily Burn
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4. Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Kale Tacos
Have a healthier fiesta with these unconventional yet nutrient-dense vegan tacos. Make the quinoa ahead of time and they’ll take you less than 30 minutes to assemble. Top with sliced avocado or sprinkle some cheddar on if you’re in a cheesy mood. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
5. Spicy Sweet Potato Fries and Avocado Dip
Fear not, fries lovers — these stringy spuds are way healthier than their greasy fast food cousins. The Cajun spicing takes the flavor up a notch. Plus, the accompanying dip is creamy thanks to avocado and silky tofu. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote /Life by Daily Burn
6. Almond Butter and Banana Sweet Potato Toast
Update that avocado toast. This recipe replaces bread with a thin slice of sweet potato, which you can toss in the toaster (twice for more crisp!). Top it off with almond butter and banana slices for a yummy, satisfying breakfast or snack that takes just minutes to make. (Check out other delicious sweet potato toast combos here.) Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life by Daily Burn
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7. Sweet Potato Quinoa Cakes
Look no further for a satisfying, gluten-free appetizer. Make sure to let the quinoa mixture cool before adding the eggs, otherwise the heat will cook them and you won’t get the desired consistency. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
8. Sweet Potato Veggie Scramble
We take our eggs with a heaping mound of veggies mixed in! Each serving contains a whopping 14 grams of protein, thanks to egg whites, swiss chard, bell pepper, sweet potato and green onion. Want something in sandwich form? Try these easy egg mammies. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
9. Chipotle Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Consider this a slimmed down version of greasy potato skins. One of these stuffed taters comes in at under 300 calories and contains much more filling fiber and protein. Plus, you can make them in advance and reheat when you’re ready to eat. Just drizzle the chipotle sauce on top when you’re about to serve ’em up. Photo and recipe: Alexa Schirm / Life by Daily Burn
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10. Curry Spice Vegetable and Grain Bowl
Cooking rice and lentils with some curry gives a kick of flavor to this hearty bowl. Make a big batch before the week begins. Then you’ll have multiple lunches that pack in whole grains, protein and nutrient-dense vegetables. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
11. Broccoli-Stuffed Sweet Potato with Peanut Sauce
This Thai-inspired recipe calls for a coconut peanut sauce that’s out of this world. (In fact, feel free to drizzle the leftovers on other foods, like shrimp or steamed veggies.) Have these filling taters for a full meal or simply serve them as a side dish. Photo and recipe: Emily Miller / Life by Daily Burn
12. Moroccan Sweet Potato and Chickpea Tacos
This flavorful vegetarian dish just might have you craving more meat-free foods. The caramelized sweet potato cubes and crunchy chickpeas get doused in flavor, thanks to the cinnamon, ginger, paprika, cumin and turmeric mix that goes on top. Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life by Daily Burn
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13. Root Vegetable Red Lentil Stew
Warming spices like curry, turmeric and cardamom take your taste buds to a savory nirvana. Plus, this hearty soup gets a nutritional boost from kale, carrots, red and sweet potatoes, onion and fresh ginger. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
14. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos
Protein and fiber keep hunger at bay in these easy-to-assemble wraps. Add chopped chipotle peppers for a kick of flavor. Or cool things down by topping with Greek yogurt. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
15. Fat-Free Sweet Potato Soup
Soup is one of the best meals to have when the temperatures drop and you want to cozy up inside. Thankfully, this soup provides a soothing “creaminess,” without all the calories and fat. The sweet potato and greek yogurt provide that thick texture and even better flavor. Photo and recipe: Evan Thomas / Life by Daily Burn
Originally posted May 2014. Updated November 2016.