Delicious Sweet Potato Recipes: Creative Ways to Use This Versatile Root Vegetable

sweet potato – it’s a true kitchen champion, wouldn’t you say? Everyone loves it, and it's incredibly versatile. You can whip it up into a sweet treat, roast it for a savoury side dish, or even use it in a curry – the possibilities are endless! It’s got this amazing natural sweetness that just begs to be explored, and the texture is a dream! Soft, creamy, just… perfect.

I remember when I first started experimenting with sweet potato, I was a bit hesitant. I was used to the same old boring ways of cooking it, you know, just mashing it with butter and a bit of salt. But then, I discovered this whole world of flavour and creativity! It was like a revelation!

So, I’m going to share some of my favourite sweet potato recipes with you today, and hopefully, inspire you to get creative with this wonderful root vegetable. We’ll be exploring all sorts of different dishes, from the classic to the more adventurous, and I’ll even throw in a few tips and tricks along the way.

Let’s dive in!

(Part 1) Sweet Potato: The Star of the Show

Sweet potato can be a bit of a superstar in the kitchen. It’s a chameleon, really, able to switch from sweet to savoury, creamy to crunchy, depending on how you cook it. You can roast it till it’s crispy and caramelised, or you can simmer it until it’s meltingly tender. You can bake it into a pie, or you can mash it into a fluffy purée.

It's all about finding the right recipe for you, the one that tickles your taste buds and leaves you wanting more.

Sweet Potato: A nutritional powerhouse

Sweet potato isn’t just about taste, though. It’s a real nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s low in calories but high in fibre. And, it’s got a good amount of vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision, skin, and immune function.

So, you’re not just enjoying a delicious meal when you eat sweet potato, you’re also giving your body a dose of goodness!

(Part 2) sweet potato recipes: A Taste of the Unexpected

Now, let’s get down to the good stuff – the recipes. I’ve divided them into a few categories, just to make things a bit easier. But remember, you can always experiment and twist them to your own liking. That’s the beauty of cooking, right?

(Part 3) Sweet Potato: The Classic Way

Let’s start with the classics. These are tried and tested recipes, the ones that have been around for years and never fail to impress.

roasted sweet potato

This is my go-to recipe for a simple and delicious side dish. It’s so easy to make, and you can really play around with the spices. I like to add a bit of paprika, cumin, and garlic powder for a smoky flavour. And a sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper, of course.

Here’s the trick, though. Don’t overcrowd your baking tray. You want to make sure each sweet potato gets a good dose of heat. Otherwise, you’ll end up with soggy sweet potato, and nobody wants that!

Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
• Wash and peel your sweet potatoes. Chop them into 2-3 cm cubes.
• Toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favourite spices.
• Spread them out evenly on a baking tray.
• Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelised.

sweet potato mash

Sweet potato mash is a proper comfort food, isn’t it? It’s creamy, it’s buttery, and it’s just the perfect thing to serve with a roast dinner or a hearty stew.

I like to add a bit of fresh ginger and a squeeze of lime juice to my sweet potato mash for a little bit of zing. And if you’re feeling fancy, you could even stir in some toasted pecans or a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Sweet Potato Mash Recipe

• Boil the sweet potatoes in salted water until tender.
• Drain the sweet potatoes and mash them with butter, milk, and salt.
• Add any other ingredients you like, such as ginger, lime juice, or toasted nuts.

(Part 4) Sweet Potato: Moving On to Something a Bit More Adventurous

Now we’re getting into the fun stuff. Sweet potato can be more than just a side dish. It can be the star of the show!

sweet potato curry

A sweet potato curry is a true delight. It’s got this beautiful blend of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavours that just melt in your mouth. It’s perfect for a cosy evening meal, or for a dinner party.

There are endless variations on this recipe, of course. I like to use coconut milk, ginger, garlic, and a blend of spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander. And I always add a good dollop of yoghurt at the end to cool down the heat.

Sweet Potato Curry Recipe

• Sauté diced onion, garlic, and ginger in a pan with oil.
• Add diced sweet potato, spices, and coconut milk.
• Simmer until the sweet potato is tender and the curry has thickened.
• Serve with rice or naan bread.

Sweet potato soup

sweet potato soup is a real comfort food. It’s creamy, it’s warming, and it’s perfect for a chilly day. It’s also incredibly easy to make, and you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand.

I like to add a bit of chilli flakes, a dollop of cream, and some fresh herbs to my soup. And if you’re feeling really fancy, you could even roast some pumpkin seeds to sprinkle on top.

sweet potato soup recipe

• Sauté diced onion and garlic in a pot with olive oil.
• Add diced sweet potato, broth, and spices.
• Simmer until the sweet potato is tender.
• Blend until smooth.
• Serve with a dollop of cream, chilli flakes, and fresh herbs.

(Part 5) Sweet Potato: A Global Affair

Sweet potato is a global ingredient, and it’s used in all sorts of different cuisines. So, let’s explore some of the ways that other cultures use this versatile root vegetable.

sweet potato pie

You can’t talk about sweet potato without mentioning sweet potato pie. It’s a true American classic, and it’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any special occasion.

The key to a good sweet potato pie is to use a good quality sweet potato, and to make sure the filling is nice and smooth. I always use a bit of butter and brown sugar in my filling, and I often add a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavour.

sweet potato pie recipe

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Bake the pie crust according to the package instructions.
• While the crust is baking, prepare the filling.
• Boil the sweet potatoes until tender.
• Mash the sweet potatoes and add butter, sugar, and spices.
• Pour the filling into the baked pie crust.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling is set.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

This is a bit of a twist on the classic Italian gnocchi, and it’s so delicious! The sweet potato adds a lovely sweetness and richness to the dish. And, it’s just so easy to make.

The secret to good gnocchi is to make sure the dough is not too wet. You want it to be just firm enough to roll into little dumplings. And, be sure to give your gnocchi a good toss in flour before you cook them. This will help to prevent them from sticking together.

Sweet potato gnocchi recipe

• Boil the sweet potatoes until tender.
• Mash the sweet potatoes and add flour, egg, and salt.
• Knead the dough until smooth.
• Roll the dough into a long rope and cut it into 2 cm pieces.
• Boil the gnocchi in salted water until they float to the surface.
• Serve with your favourite sauce.

(Part 6) Sweet Potato: Sweet and Savoury

We’ve looked at the sweet and the savoury, but what about a delicious mix of both? Sweet potato can handle that, too!

Sweet Potato Toast

This is my absolute favourite way to start the day. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s oh-so-delicious. You can top it with pretty much anything you like: avocado, eggs, cheese, berries, nuts, or even a bit of peanut butter.

The trick is to use a good quality sweet potato, and to make sure it’s nice and crispy. I like to bake my sweet potato toast in the oven for about 15-20 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

Sweet Potato Toast Recipe

• Slice a sweet potato into 1 cm thick slices.
• Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake in the oven until crispy.
• Top with your favourite toppings.

sweet potato fries

Sweet potato fries are a proper crowd-pleaser. They’re crunchy, they’re salty, and they’re just the perfect thing to snack on. And, they’re really easy to make.

I like to toss my sweet potato fries in a bit of olive oil, paprika, and garlic powder before baking them in the oven. Or you can fry them for a crispier texture.

sweet potato fries recipe

• Cut sweet potatoes into fries.
• Toss with olive oil, spices, and salt.
• Bake or fry until crispy.

(Part 7) Sweet Potato: Baking It Up a Storm

Sweet potato is a baking hero, too. It adds a lovely moisture and sweetness to cakes, muffins, and even bread.

Sweet potato bread

sweet potato bread is a real treat. It’s moist, it’s flavorful, and it’s perfect for a snack or a dessert. And, it’s surprisingly easy to make.

I always add a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to my sweet potato bread for extra flavour. And, if you’re feeling fancy, you could even add a bit of chocolate chips or chopped pecans.

sweet potato bread recipe

• Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
• Combine mashed sweet potato, flour, sugar, eggs, and spices.
• Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Sweet Potato Muffins

Sweet potato muffins are a great way to use up leftover sweet potato. They’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. And, they’re super easy to make.

I like to add a bit of chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or even some dried cranberries to my sweet potato muffins. And, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top is always a nice touch.

Sweet Potato Muffins Recipe

• Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
• Combine mashed sweet potato, flour, sugar, eggs, and spices.
• Fill muffin tins with batter.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

(Part 8) Sweet Potato: Beyond the Recipe

Now, let’s get a little more practical. Here’s how to make the most of your sweet potato journey.

Storing Sweet Potatoes

A well-stored sweet potato will keep for a good while, trust me. Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. If you’re storing it for a longer period, you can also try putting it in a paper bag, It’s a little trick that helps to absorb any moisture.

Peeling Sweet Potatoes

You can peel your sweet potatoes with a vegetable peeler or a paring knife. If you’re using a peeler, make sure to peel the sweet potato in one continuous motion. If you’re using a paring knife, be careful not to cut yourself.

Cooking Sweet Potatoes

As we’ve seen, there are many ways to cook sweet potato, so it’s really down to your preference. Baking and roasting is a classic choice, of course, and it brings out a natural sweetness. For a creamy texture, try boiling or steaming. You can even microwave it in a pinch, but it won’t be as flavorful.

Sweet Potato and the 'Yam' Mystery

There’s a bit of confusion about sweet potatoes and yams. In the US, “yam” is often used for sweet potato, but it's not quite accurate. A true yam has rough, brown skin, while sweet potato skin is smoother and can be various colors.

(Part 9) FAQs: Sweet Potato Answers

Got any questions about this incredible root vegetable? Here’s a quick rundown of some common ones.

So, there you have it! I’ve shared some of my favourite sweet potato recipes with you, and hopefully, I’ve inspired you to get creative with this versatile root vegetable. Go on, have a go! You might just discover a new favourite.