Healthy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes 3 Ways

Growing up, my family had lots of potatoes: potato chips, fries, cheesy potatoes, baked potatoes, you name it! I guess we were that American family that always had a steak and potato Sunday dinner?

I didn't really get to try or appreciate sweet potatoes until I lived in New Zealand for 18 months as a missionary for my church. The vegetable they have there is kumara, which is very similar to our sweet potato, but not quite. I grew to love it during my time there so when I came home, I kept sweet potatoes in my diet.

One of my favorite ways to eat sweet potatoes is roasting them (my other favorite is in this sweet potato casserole!) and so I decided to find easy, healthy, and delicious ways to enjoy my roasted sweet potatoes. You're going to love these 3 different ways to stuff your roasted sweet potatoes !

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Why this recipe works

• Easy to make: all you need is an oven and 10 minutes of prep work! Simply roast the potatoes and prepare your toppings of choice.
• Full of flavor: whether you choose a sweet or savory potato, you'll love every bite! I created recipes for maple pecan, jalapeno cheddar, and feta bacon.
• Easy to serve: just slice open the sweet potato and stuff it with your toppings of choice!
• Healthy options: each sweet potato recipe uses clean-eating ingredients that don't compromise on flavor. There's even options for vegetarian, vegan, and paleo diets!
• Easy to share: whether you're cooking for 2 or 20 people, these healthy stuffed sweet potatoes are still just as easy. You could even create a "sweet potato board" (think a charcuterie board of sweet potatoes and toppings) that your dinner guests can serve themselves at!

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How to perfectly roast sweet potatoes

The most important thing to remember is that the size of the potato will determine the length of time you roast your sweet potato. Technically you can change the temperature too, but to keep things simple, we'll compare roasting times at 425°F.

Here's a simple guide for perfectly roasting sweet potatoes every time:

1. Poke holes to vent: this step is crucial, so don't skip it! The holes in the skin allow for air to circulate and vent through the potato so it doesn't build up pressure in the oven and explode. If you want to keep your sweet potatoes aesthetically pleasing for presentation, I recommend poking the holes in a line down the middle (where you'll eventually cut open the potato) and just above the bottom on the sides.
2. Spray and season: not only does the skin have vitamins and nutrients, it has so much flavor! To maximize the flavor of your toasted sweet potatoes, spray the entire skin with cooking spray and generously season with freshly ground sea salt. When your sweet potatoes are done, the skin will be caramelized and mouth-wateringly good!‍
3. Determine the size: the nice thing about keeping the temperature a constant 425°F in our equation is that your sweet potatoes will always be done in under an hour, no matter the size! Keep reading for the timing guide.‍
4. Use parchment paper: because the skins will caramelize while they roast, all the drippings and oil will too. If you want an easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with parchment paper so you don't have to scrape off the baking sheet!

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I've included a *simple* guide for roasting times based on size below. Please note that the temperature is 425°F in every situation:

• Small sweet potatoes: 30 minutes
• Medium sweet potatoes: 45 minutes
• Large sweet potatoes: 60 minutes

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Expert tips for roasting sweet potatoes

In the oven

My mom taught me the best hack to crispy, seasoned potato skins: roast them right on the oven rack! No foil, no baking sheet, no parchment paper!

For some this might seem a little unsanitary (which is why I didn't suggest this method in the official recipe instructions) but you're always cooking your food on a pan or in a dish, right? So really, the only food to ever touch the oven rack is potatoes.

Anyway, this is my favorite way to roast potatoes in the oven and it really makes the skins mouthwateringly delicious!

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In the Air Fryer

If you have an air fryer or need to use the oven for another dish, the air fryer is a great option for roasting sweet potatoes!

I haven't personally tested roasting whole potatoes in the air fryer, but in my experience with lots of other foods, the bake time and temperature are usually a little less than the oven instructions.

The air fryer I use has a maximum temperature of 400°F, so I usually have to adapt. For example, if I was cooking a medium sweet potato in the air fryer at 425°F, I might start with 35 minutes and check the inside. You can always add more time, but once it's overdone, it's overdone!

Let's say your air fryer has a maximum temperature of 400°F just like mine. If you were roasting a medium sweet potato, I would keep the same bake time (45 minutes) and check if it needs more time.

Since all sweet potatoes are different sizes and shapes, it's more of a guessing game, but it shouldn't be a stressful one! Just make sure to spray the basket as well as the potato, and pierce and season the sweet potato(es) just like you would if you were roasting in the oven.

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What to serve with stuffed sweet potatoes

These Instant Pot Sweet and Spicy Meatballs would be a delicious protein to add to the jalapeno cheddar sweet potatoes, but I also love grilling a thick cut steak or marinated chicken to keep the stuffed sweet potatoes the star of the meal.

If you want to get really creative, you could even make this Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole and stuff it inside your Jalapeno Cheddar sweet potato!

The maple pecan variation is particularly great as a Thanksgiving side dish for your roasted turkey and homemade dinner rolls. You could even make this streusel to go on top!

I think the feta bacon stuffed sweet potato would pair beautifully with these homemade baked beans or topped with these roasted brussels sprouts (just omit the cinnamon and maple).

This roasted broccoli salad actually shares many of the same ingredients and would add some greens to your plate as well.

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Now that you know how to perfectly roast sweet potatoes, it's time to stuff them! Check out these delicious healthy stuffed sweet potatoes recipes below and let me know which one is your favorite!

Be sure to leave a star rating and review below so other readers know which ones you liked too! I can't wait to see your stuffed sweet potatoes creations.