29 Surprising Ways to Use Sweet Potatoes

Smarter carbs are easy with the handy spiralizer—it works like a pencil sharpener to create long strands of veggies. Find the tool at kitchen stores and amazon.com. Spiralized veggies are showing up everywhere—in salads, in place of pasta, and even in desserts. These sweet potato "zoodles" transform a traditional pad thai recipe into a fun twist on a weeknight favorite. The best news? This recipe comes together in 20 minutes, making it a go-to for any busy weeknight. Break out your spiralizer, get the family involved, and get cooking on your new favorite recipe featuring the best of fall flavor.

We consider this dish a modern Vietnamese cook's interpretation of a classic. If you can find white sweet potatoes, use them—they're drier and less sweet than their orange cousins, but traditional sweet potatoes will work just fine, too. Place the dipping sauce in a bowl surrounded by the lettuce and herbs so guests can build their own lettuce wraps as they like. If your family enjoys crab cakes or salmon cakes, break out this recipe to expand the weeknight menu rotation and give everyone a chance to practice their chopstick skills. This dish cooks from start to finish in only about 30 minutes.

The simple, scalloped shell made from thinly sliced rounds of sweet potatoes makes this version of a popular brunch (or supper) dish gluten-free. Choose potatoes with comparable diameters to create uniform slices for the easy-to-make crust. A mandoline makes slicing quick and precise, but a sharp chef's knife will work too. You can also slice the potatoes in the food processor using the slicing blade.

We were amazed at how delectably creamy the sweet potato becomes in the juicer, plus it's a bit higher in calories and loaded with potassium to balance and replenish your electrolytes after exercise.

Enjoy the taste of sweet potato casserole in soup form by topping pureed sweet potatoes with unsalted peanuts and mini marshmallows.

Smoky bacon and salty cheese, such as pecorino Romano, provide the perfect balance to lightly sweet gnocchi.

Smoky bacon and earthy Brussels sprouts unite to bring a punch of flavor and texture to this naturally sweet veg. Add a couple of cashews for a touch of crunch, and you’ve got a healthy main course meal that feels just as decadent and satisfying as your average pasta dish.

Baking a sweet potato brings out its natural sweetness, but if you’re short on time, use the microwave instead. Or look for canned mashed sweet potato at specialty markets. Try these split and stuffed with Virginia ham, without the Honey-Pecan Butter.

Hand over the reins: Let the kids assemble this savory-sweet oven-baked treat. If you make this dish ahead, bring it to room temperature before baking so it will reheat evenly.

To save time, you could also cook the pumpkin seeds in a skillet directly on the grill.

Take a break from sweet potato fries and try out tots instead. Oven-baked until they're brown and crispy, these tots will satisfy your wildest savory cravings without overloading you with calories and fat. Served with a zippy jalapeño ranch dipping sauce that's loaded with protein and fresh herbs, these cute sweet potato tots make for the perfect appetizer or mid-afternoon snack that your kids will devour.

Light, fluffy, and most importantly, 2 ingredients—these pancakes are absolutely to die for! The best part—they’re simple enough for weekdays, yet feel indulgent enough for weekend brunch (even though they’re not indulgent at all). Simply combine one roasted sweet potato with two eggs, and you have clean pancake batter ready to be cooked. 

Put a twist on a conventional side dish by substituting sweet potatoes. A sprinkle of Parmesan and thyme adds unique flavor to this savory sweet potato gratin.

Onion and spicy jalapeño serve as a flavorful contrast to the sweet potato in these quick and easy cakes.

Not your average tamale–this recipe calls for a unique combination of black beans and sweet potatoes that will serve up an unforgettable dinner dish.

Cornmeal adds crunch, and mashed sweet potatoes lend creaminess to this weekend favorite. Yellow- or white-fleshed sweet potatoes have a dry and crumbly texture when baked and are not moist enough to make tender pancakes, so use the orange variety. For convenience, roast a sweet potato the night before. Serve with maple syrup, butter, and fresh fruit, if desired.

Savory and sweet, this soufflé can be served as a side dish or dessert. With our easy-to-handle recipe you'll be enjoying your delicious confection in no time.

Mild sweet potatoes and black beans take on smoky, spicy tastes from cumin and chiles. These pies are great served hot out of the oven at a party; leftovers also make a tasty room-temperature snack. 

Round out the menu with a mixed salad featuring your favorite greens and Chipotle-Yogurt Dressing, an easy, flavor-packed dressing.

Crispy bits of Mexican chorizo (fresh, crumbly sausage–not to be confused with Spanish chorizo) create a delicious topping for this sweet-spicy take on mac and cheese. There's a fair amount of heat here, so if you prefer mild food, use even less chipotle.

Hearty pumpkin and creamy sweet potatoes steal the show in this cool-weather pilaf. It’s an ideal way to add fiber to your diet and a beautiful showcase for some underused winter vegetables.

Time: 35 minutes

Prep Tip: Wrap the bowl of grilled onions in plastic wrap so they "sweat," producing a mellow, slightly sweet liquid for the dressing

Serve with Grilled Onion Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Sweet potatoes are so good for you. They’re an excellent source of vitamin B6, C, and D, and contain iron and magnesium. Dice them up and bake them at a really high temperature. The results are delicious!

This post-dinner treat is going to be a holiday hit. Bourbon packs a kick of flavor that guests will find irresistible.

Choose breads labeled 100 percent whole wheat or whole grain to make sure you're getting their benefits. Nuts add healthful unsaturated fats and filling protein to this tasty vegetarian sandwich.

This flan—Spanish baked custard—is best when made with leftover sweet potatoes that have been simply prepared and minimally seasoned. Use ground nutmeg in place of grated whole nutmeg, if you prefer.

Three More Ways to Use Grated Whole Nutmeg

1.  Add a dash or two to sautéed spinach to build complex flavor.
2.  Mix 1/4 teaspoon into spice rubs for meats.
3.  Use it to top chai tea, cappuccinos, or eggnog.

Don't be scared to make homemade bread. Take some time to learn the process, and you'll enjoy the payoff. Here canned sweet potato adds moisture and sweet notes to delectable rolls.

Sweet potatoes provide a nice foil for the full-flavored lamb, tangy olives, and earthy spices. You can also bake the entire mixture in an 8-inch square baking dish. Assemble up to a day ahead, cover, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

You won't want to miss these sweet potato chips. You'll need a mandoline to slice the potato thin enough to crisp. The results are delicious and easy, sans the hassle of the oven.

Inspired by carrot cake, we created a cream cheese-frosted bread. This treat is peppered with sweet raisins and crunchy pecans and frosted with cream cheese that has a lemony zing.

We absolutely love this simple, comforting hash. It pairs well with almost anything—Grilled Trout with Cherry Compote, as well as roast chicken, pork chops, steak, and even sunny-side-up eggs. If you would like to get a head start on the recipe, you can bake the sweet potatoes a day or two ahead; then you'll only need about 15 minutes to pull the dish together.