The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
‘Tis the season for sweet potatoes. Not only are they versatile and delicious, they are also one of the healthiest foods around. They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals, including important antioxidants, and they’re also high in fiber. They can help improve your skin, fight off cancer and even improve your blood sugar.
Next time you’re making your favorite dishes, try these simple ways to incorporate sweet potatoes and inject some extra nutrition into each meal. Here are seven foods that get healthier—and even tastier, with the simple addition of sweet potatoes.
1. Brownies
Because sweet potatoes are, of course, sweet, they make a great base for some gooey brownies. Their starchiness is perfect for baking, and they go surprisingly well with chocolate.
Recipe: Deliciously Ella
2. Nachos
Instead of using chips, use sweet potatoes as the base of this classic dish. Sweet potatoes sliced thinly and baked make a great substitute for tortilla chips, and then you can just top your loaded nachos with whatever ingredients you would usually use.
Recipe: Two Peas and Their Pod
3. Noodles
Make your favorite noodle dish using sweet potatoes, whether it’s Pad Thai, fettuccine Alfredo or any other pasta dish. Just get your hands on a spiralizer, and you’ll have a oodles of sweet potato noodles to help kick your refined carbohydrate habit.
Recipe: Pinch of Yum
4. Toast
If you’re gluten-free or just looking for a healthier version of bread, you can use a sweet potato to make your morning toast. All you have to do is thinly slice the sweet potato vertically and pop it in your toaster just like a normal piece of bread. Then add your favorite toppings, and you’ve got an extremely nutritious breakfast or snack.
Recipe: Family Food on the Table
5. Fries
One of the simplest swaps is turning regular French fries into sweet potato fries. Even if you don’t have a fryer, you can bake your sweet potatoes in the oven for a crisp, seemingly indulgent—but actually healthy—snack.
Recipe: My Natural Family
6. Pancakes
Instead of using flour in pancakes, make your breakfast healthier by using sweet potatoes instead. Baked sweet potatoes make a great replacement, and they yield fluffy and flavorful pancakes that will provide you with your morning boost of energy.
Recipe: B Sugar Mama
7. Ice Cream
Nix all that dairy and sugar by making your own ice cream at home using sweet potatoes. Mix mashed sweet potatoes with some coconut milk and some of your other favorite ice cream flavors, and you’ve got a dairy-free dessert that’s still creamy, but much more nutritious.
Recipe: The Vegan 8