Come fall, pumpkin gets all the glory, but we're here to remind you—it's sweet potato season too! Though these orange spuds are available all year round, September/October is their time to really shine. From savory and sweet breakfasts to the heartiest of sides and fall dinners, these 65 recipes show that this spud deserves the spotlight all year-round. And don’t even get us started on dessert—sweet potato treats rank up there with pumpkin pie, apple tart, and pecan pie as some of the best things about fall (but we'll be serving these dishes up no matter the time of year 😉).
Let’s start with some background. What’s the deal with yams vs. sweet potatoes? Though in the United States, the terms are often used interchangeably, yams and sweet potatoes are not actually the same thing. Even though rough, brown-skinned yams are becoming more popular, it’s likely what you are encountering in the grocery store is a sweet potato, no matter what it’s been labeled. Are sweet potatoes healthy? Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-rich option and are high in antioxidants and vitamins, A, C, and B6. They're also full of fiber (keep those skins on!).
Now we’ve got that sorted, let’s get to eating! Sweet potatoes really are great for any meal of the day. Craving a hearty breakfast? Try our sweet potato pancakes, air fryer sweet potato hash, or sweet potato bread. Need an easy lunch? Try our coconut ranch kale salad or our hearty twice-baked sweet potatoes. For weeknight dinners, sweet potatoes are great paired with chicken, like in our honey mustard chicken or our maple sriracha chicken, but also as stand-alone sides for any meal. They also are a major part of some of our top plant-based recipes, like our vegan chili or our vegan sweet potato curry. Don't worry—we didn't forget about desserts! Our sweet potato cobbler, our sweet potato pie cupcakes, and our sweet potato cheesecake are stars—they're not as associated with Thanksgiving as sweet potato pie, so you can enjoy them all year long.
1
Sweet Potato Salad
This sweet potato salad is the perfect way to lighten up any autumnal dinner or even your Thanksgiving spread. Feta, dried cranberries, and red onions pair really nicely with the earthy sweetness of the orange superfood. Did we mention it's great warm or cold?
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
2
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Roast sweet potatoes to make your own puree or use canned; either way, you'll still have fluffy, homemade pancakes that are way better than any box mix could produce. Are they breakfast? Dessert? We say, eat 'em for both.
Get the Sweet Potato Pancakes recipe.
3
Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
We love when a dish’s prep is simple and fast; this sheet-pan chicken recipe is the perfect example. If you roast the sweet potatoes as indicated, your gift = creamy centers and crispy edges, enhanced by jammy red onions. Using bone-in thighs guarantees super-tender chicken too!
Get the .
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4
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
We all love classic sweet potato casserole, but sometimes it feels like the marshmallows steal the spotlight. So this year, why not mix it up—literally—and try mashing them instead?
Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
5
Sweet Potato Pie
With this forever favorite recipe, we’re bringing sweet potato pie into the spotlight and making her shine. Mounds of roasted sweet potato combine with dark brown sugar, vanilla, and spices inside a golden flaky crust for a pie that rivals all other contenders.
Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
6
Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
Attention, Sweetgreen lovers! Your regular weekday lunch is about to get an instant upgrade. Loaded with roast chicken, sweet potato, and that signature balsamic vinaigrette, our copycat version of Sweetgreen’s beloved harvest bowl will make your favorite takeout lunch an everyday reality.
Get the Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl recipe.
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7
Sweet Potato Gratin
Your sweet potatoes are tired of being baked. Give them the chance to become something much more exciting and turn them into sweet potato gratin. Just like the OG potatoes au gratin, these sweet potatoes are layered with plenty of cheese and herby cream sauce and baked until golden brown and bubbly. 😍
Get the Sweet Potato Gratin recipe.
8
Sweet Potato Bread
This quick bread is drizzled with a thick icing and spiced to perfection with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves (though you can substitute 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice as a shortcut). There's just 1 cup of sugar to keep the taste sweet enough without getting into super-decadent dessert territory. We'll be eating it for breakfast all fall long.
Get the Sweet Potato Bread recipe.
9
Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole
With roasted sweet potatoes and black bean chili layered together under a gooey blanket of cheese, this vegetarian weeknight dinner is both incredibly comforting and surprisingly hearty.
Get the Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.
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10
Perfect Baked Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are totally versatile, but baking them whole in the oven (yep, just like a regular baked potato) is arguably the simplest way to prepare them, and they will be the perfect base for all types of toppings.
Get the Perfect Baked Sweet Potato recipe.
11
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Serve this gnocchi boiled or seared, either in a caramelized sauce of bacon fat, butter, maple syrup, and bourbon (😋), or in a simple cacio e pepe-inspired finish like in our potato gnocchi recipe.
Get the Sweet Potato Gnocchi recipe.
12
Autumn Kielbasa Sheet Pan Bake With Creamy Curry Dijon Sauce
One of our easiest sheet pan dinners, this kielbasa with creamy Dijon sauce recipe just involves tossing the ingredients on a sheet pan and letting the oven do the work.
Get the Autumn Kielbasa Sheet Pan Bake With Creamy Curry Dijon Sauce recipe.
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13
West African-Inspired Chicken & Peanut Stew
The traditional choice for chicken and peanut stew is bone-in, skinless dark meat, but we made it a step easier with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. The result is a creamy, nutty, spicy, earthy meal that will warm you from the inside out.
Get the .
14
Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
Most sweet potato casseroles have only marshmallows or pecans. Don't even think about making this mistake. Topping with a pecan streusel and then marshmallows helps this casserole stand out above ALL the rest.
Get the Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows recipe.
15
BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes
These twice-baked potatoes are loaded with the makings of a full BBQ chicken dinner (and using leftover rotisserie chicken means they come together fast). If you love these, you're going to love these Mexican-inspired twice-baked sweet potatoes too.
Get the BBQ Chicken Twice-Baked Potatoes recipe.
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16
Cacio E Pepe Sweet Potato Noodles
Looking to convert a spiralized veggie skeptic? Make them these cacio e pepe sweet potato noodles. Tossed in buttery black pepper sauce and showered with Parmesan and Pecorino, these sweet potato noodles are so delicious that no one will even think about asking for “regular” pasta.
Get the Cacio E Pepe Sweet Potato Noodles recipe.
17
Sweet Potato Pudding
This silky smooth sweet potato pudding is a lighter, simplified cousin of sweet potato casserole without the topping or crust. It's essentially the filling of sweet potato pie with an optional whipped cream or marshmallow fluff topping. No crust or crimping fuss required!
Get the Sweet Potato Pudding recipe.
18
Sweet Potato Lasagna
Lasagnas can do no wrong. They're the most soul-satisfying food around, and this one is no exception. It also proves that pasta isn't necessary. With no noodles to boil, it's almost easier to make than a classic lasagna.
Get the Sweet Potato Lasagna recipe.
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19
Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse prepares their killer casserole with layers of mashed, soufflé-like sweet potato gets topped with a crunchy, sweet brown sugar and pecan crust and baked into a winning combination of textures. Pssst: You can also turn this into dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Get the Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.
20
Perfect Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen: They're amazing boiled, baked, sautéed, and fried (we love you, sweet potato fries). That said, one of the easiest and most useful ways to cook sweet potatoes is to roast them—here's how.
Get the Perfect Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe.
