When choosing a side dish carb, many are making the switch from white potato to sweet potato for their dinners. Sweet potatoes are jam-packed with essential nutrients like Vitamin A, and they’re high in fiber as well. Sweet potatoes are also paleo diet friendly, and lower-GI which is why many have opted to make the switch as well. That said, why limit them to being just another potato? The “sweet” element of a sweet potato takes them much further into the food world than just a side dish. Maybe the furthest you’ve gotten with a sweet potato is the french fry version, and the rest just looks like a casserole you avoided at Thanksgiving. Time to convince you of otherwise. So let’s look at some new ways to dive into sweet potatoes, fork first.
What better way to venture into new sweet potato territory, than with a graham cracker crust, sweet potato puree pie filling, and a meringue topping?
It’s like s’mores and pumpkin pie had a delicious baby and created your new favorite dessert with ingredients you may already have in your cupboard!
http://www.handletheheat.com/sweet-potato-pie-bars/ RECIPE AND PHOTO BY: HANDLE THE HEAT
So yes, this is a side, but what a side it is! This twice baked sweet potato is perfectly complimented with goat cheese and balsamic that takes a whole new twist on traditional twice baked potatoes (typically made with a white potato).
They’re also much prettier to look at, and Instagram (priorities, yo).
http://www.staceyhomemaker.com/twice-baked-sweet-potatoes-with-balsamic-onions-goat-cheese/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: STACEY HOMEMAKER
Not all carbs are created equal, and removing bread to replace with a root vegetable, even for something like toast, may be best for your diet especially if you have a gluten or wheat intolerance.
Very simply, by slicing and toasting the sweet potato, you create little toasts for whatever you choose. Options are seemingly endless.
https://littlebitsof.com/2016/05/sweet-potato-toast-3-ways/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: LITTLE BITS OF
Plant-based diet lovers are getting a little tired of typical veggie burgers. Often full of just fillers to make it edible, you lose the joy of a burger. The mouthwatering patty between buns, not just overridden by loads of condiments to make it palatable.
Sweet potatoes are so flavorful, and this recipe which combines them with beans and a smoky taste gets topped with roasted garlic sauce and avocado, which takes sweet potatoes to a whole other level.
http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/09/smoky-sweet-potato-burgers-with-roasted-garlic-cream-and-avocado/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: HOW SWEET EATS
Oh, heck yes! If you don’t like waffles then you can just leave right now. Oh look, no one left…because everyone loves waffles!! However, gluten and wheat intolerant friends have lost the ability to enjoy tasty waffles without recipes like these.
Sweet potatoes have this amazing ability to whip and rise and combined with oats, they make for some sweet sweet potato waffles!
http://liveanddiet.com/2016/01/healthy-sweet-potato-waffles.html RECIPE AND PHOTOS BY: LIVE AND DIET
Looking for ways to give your snacks a nutritional overhaul? Maybe sneak a little (okay, a lot) of Vitamin A to your kids?
This recipe is gluten-free with the use of gluten-free flour, and only 3 tablespoons of sugar, thanks to the sweetness of the root vegetable itself that’s the star of these cookies. If you’re going to indulge, lessen the guilt and have a few of these to satisfy your sweet tooth.
http://frugalfarmwife.com/article/gluten-free-sweet-potato-cookies/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: FRUGAL FARM WIFE
Looking to take a comfort food, and make it better for you? Or maybe you adhere to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle and you’re looking for ways to indulge that meets your nutritional needs for protein, vitamins, fats, and carbs.
Whatever the reason, this sweet potato recipe is one to fill your house with the smells of comforts, and your belly with the same.
http://www.thefullhelping.com/vegan-sweet-potato-and-lentil-shepherds-pie/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: THE FULL HELPING
Potatoes in a smoothie? That’s where sweet potatoes set themselves apart from other root vegetables because if you make a white potato smoothie, that’s basically just mashed potatoes.
This smoothie is made up of flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and more, combined with almond milk and no sugar added, to sweeten, optionally just add honey! The smoothie will remind you of sweet delights like pumpkin pie!
http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Sweet-Potato-Pie-Smoothie-Makes-Perfect-Weight-Loss-Breakfast-39496580 PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: POPSUGAR
This recipe is so incredibly easy, using pre-made pie crust, and a filling made of sweet potato puree mixed with cinnamon, maple syrup and optionally, bourbon.
Once filled and pressed, these are brushed with butter and sprinkled with turbinado sugar before baking. It’s recommended these be enjoyed with ice cream, or on their own alongside a nice hot coffee. the ultimate of comforts.
http://www.peanutbutterandpeppers.com/2013/09/03/louies-cafe-farmers-market-and-sweet-potato-hand-pies/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: PEANUT BUTTER AND PEPPERS
You don’t have to be a vegan to appreciate these bad boys. The meaty flesh of the sweet potato is both filling and flavorful, leaving you 100% satisfied without the addition of meat (who’d a thunk it?!).
This is definitely one to try, especially if you’re looking to discover new ways to enjoy sweet potatoes and a much less expensive way to enjoy homemade burritos.
http://www.kimscravings.com/2015/09/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-vegan-burritos/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: KIMS CRAVINGS
Sweet Potato Tacos are super easy to make! If you know how to make a baked sweet potato in the oven or microwave, this recipe takes no time at all!
Treat your sweet potato as if it is the meat and taco, and then add your desired toppings. This is a perfect option for those who are gluten-free or vegan.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/stuffed-sweet-potato-tacos/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: FORKLY
Dessert doesn’t always have to start with flour and sugar! Sometimes it can start with some delicious sweet potato that will actually help fuel your body.
Top off your squares with some tasty pecans for that sweet potato pie taste and you have yourself an easy dessert for any occasion.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/grain-free-sweet-potato-dessert-squares/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: FORKLY
Pizza can often be the ultimate cheat meal for you and your family. Between the refined white flour crust and the piles of melted cheese and processed meat, pizza is definitely not considered a healthy option.
If you are craving pizza but need to stay healthy, try making sweet potato pizza that is way lower in calories and gives you full control of what you’re putting into your body. Delicious!
https://fitfoodiefinds.com/easy-grilled-sweet-potato-pizzas// PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: FIT FOODIE FINDS
Not everyone is a fan of traditional lasagna, which can make it difficult to cater to the rest of the family when everyone else loves it except for one person.
Tonight, skip the traditional lasagna approach and try this sweet potato recipe that is sure to make everyone around the dinner table happy.
https://fitfoodiefinds.com/sweet-potato-spinach-lasagna// PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: FIT FOODIE FINDS
If you’ve just made a delicious and innovative sweet potato supper, why not finish it off with a dessert that is also made of that scrumptious root vegetable?!
Not only are these cupcakes make out of sweet potato, but they’re topped off with a fluffy yet fabulous maple marshmallow frosting. Is your mouth watering yet?
http://overtimecook.com/2013/11/20/sweet-potato-cupcakes-with-maple-marshmallow-frosting/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: OVERTIME COOK
