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How to Make Sweet Potatoes Delicious (No Marshmallows Required)

By Jenn Fillenworth
|
December 13, 2019

Sweet potatoes are by far one of the most versatile potato varieties. They can be mashed, baked, fried, sautéed, or roasted. They contain a natural sweetness that becomes even more prominent when cooked long enough to caramelize the preexisting sugars. Since sweet potatoes are well, sweet, they don’t need a ton of help to become even sweeter. Therefore, marshmallows are definitely unnecessary additions. Not to mention the added sugars make them more of a dessert than a nutritious side dish. Read on for 3 ways to enjoy sweet potatoes without added sugar.

Stuff it Real Good

Chances are, you’ve had a classic baked potato before. The ones made with Russets to give it that fluffy interior usually stuffed with cheese and bacon. Well, it turns out that stuffed sweet potatoes are even more delicious than the usual suspects. To stuff your sweet potato, you will first need to roast it in a 425-degree oven for 45-55 minutes. Before roasting, make sure you scrub that skin then poke holes all over the sweet potato with a fork and place on a baking sheet. Once your sweet potatoes have been baked, you can begin the fun part of stuffing them with your favorite foods! I’ve used chili, shredded chicken, beans, sautéed vegetables, and the list goes on. A while back, I jumped on the sweet potato and black bean combination. Not only is the flavor profile delicious but it’s a great nutritional choice because of the fiber, plant-based protein, and all of the vitamin A that’s in sweet potatoes.

No Lies, Just Sweet Fries

Baked sweet potato fries are so good and easy to make. I know, you’re probably thinking without frying them, that they may turn out soggy. Well, not with these simple tips. First things first, the cut is important. You want to make sure your fries are all around the same size to ensure an even bake. Next, you want to always soak your fries in water for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This will help remove the excess starch that prevents them from crisping up in the oven. Make sure they are completely dry before you bake them. I toss mine in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper and cook in a very hot 425-degree oven. When you arrange your fries on the baking sheet, you do not want to overcrowd. When you overcrowd the pan, this causes steam and steam causes soggy fries.

My go-to recipe for perfect sweet potato fries: Oven-roasted sweet potato fries

Mashed Potatoes Are Always a Good Idea

Mashed potatoes are the ultimate cold weather comfort food. Using sweet potatoes in your mash creates a naturally sweeter side dish, especially when you add some ground cinnamon to the mix. Just a little milk or your favorite milk alternative will help you achieve that beautiful mashed texture.

The easy mashed sweet potato recipe we love: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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