The Lean Green Bean

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies

Lindsay — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

These Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies are soft and fluffy! They’re naturally sweetened, made with real food ingredients and absolutely delicious.

*Originally posted 3/2016. Updated 10/2025*

Hi friends!

These Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies have now been a go-to of mine since 2016. I love them for a quick snack and they came in super handy during the newborn phase when I often needed to eat quickly and with one hand.

They’re very forgiving, and you can easily change up the mix-ins to make them more kid-friendly or to suit your tastebuds.

I find myself making these cookies year round, but they’re especially perfect for a Fall snack or dessert. If you’re looking to do some additional Fall baking or whip up a treat over Thanksgiving, here are some ideas:

Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Cookies

These would make a great sweet potato breakfast cookie. They’re low in added sugar and high in protein and fiber—a great way to start your day. They’d also be great for a snack, and if you throw in some chocolate chips, they could even pass as dessert to curb a sweet tooth.

Eating these for breakfast works out well for me because I can eat them quickly while I’m trying to feed three kids. Plus, I can make a batch on Sunday and eat them all week! Food prep for the win.

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Cookies

To make these cookies, you’ll just need a few simple ingredients:

Sweet potato – I cook mine in the microwave for 5-6 minutes and let cool a few minutes before scooping out of the skin and mashing with a fork
Nut or seed butter – I use peanut butter but you could use almond butter or sunflower seed butter to make them nut-free
Eggs
Cinnamon and vanilla -for flavor
Maple Syrup – You could sub sugar if you prefer
Seeds – Chia or hemp seeds work great in this recipe
Pepitas – An easy way to add a boost of nutrients
Dried fruit – works well with raisins or Craisins, or you can swap in chocolate chips
Flour- To make these gluten-free, use oat flour or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You can also use AP or white whole wheat flour

How To Make Sweet Potato Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Once you see how easy it is to make these cookies, you’ll be adding them to your weekly meal prep in no time!

Cook your sweet potato in the microwave, remove the skin and mash.
Combine the mashed sweet potato, nut butter and eggs and stir until well combined.
Add the vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, seeds and pepitas and mix well.
Stir in the flour and baking soda until just mixed, then scoop onto cookie sheets and bake!

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Store these cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the cookies once cooled on a cookie tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and pull them out as needed to defrost.

In addition, you can make this dough ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to bake, or scoop into balls and freeze until ready to bake.

How To Sweeten Sweet Potato Cookies

I love this recipe because it’s very lightly sweetened compared to most cookies and uses maple syrup. If you don’t want to use maple syrup, you could swap regular sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar or even honey.

Sweet Potato Cookie Baking Tips

My best tip for getting the perfect sweet potato cookies is to not over mix. Mix everything really well before you add the flour so you only need to stir enough to just combine it at the end.

And don’t overbake these cookies! If you want them to spread a little more you can lightly flatten with a fork before baking but these cookies are meant to be light and fluffy!

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Cookies

If you’d like an added boost of fiber, feel free to add some rolled oats into the mix! You could start with 1/2 cup and increase if you like the added texture they provide.

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Cookies

If you make this recipe as written, the cookies will be naturally gluten-free as long as you’re using certified gluten-free oats. Be sure to also check your Craisins to make sure they’re gluten-free as they sometimes have additional ingredients to sweeten them

You can also use a 1:1 Gluten-free flour blend. I like King Arthur Measure for Measure.

Vegan Sweet Potato Cookies

To make these cookies vegan, swap the eggs for flax eggs. Here’s how to make flax eggs.

Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies

To make these cookies a little more dessert-like, try swapping the dried fruit for chocolate chips.

Sweet Potato Cookies vs Pumpkin Cookies

In a recipe like this, you can easily swap pumpkin puree for mashed sweet potato and there won’t be much of a difference. In general, both pumpkin and sweet potato cookies will be light and fluffy vs dense and chewy. If you’re looking for a chewy pumpkin cookie recipe try these Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Sweet Potato Cookie Flavor Variations

No added sugar sweet potato cookies

To make these cookies free of added sugar, you could try swapping mashed banana or baby food prunes (pureed) to add some sweetness naturally.

Nut-free sweet potato cookies

I use peanut butter but you can make them nut-free with sunflower seed butter. Just know that they will likely turn green when baked due to a reaction with the baking soda. Perfectly safe to eat!

Other mix-ins

For a Fall twist, try adding chopped pecans and a maple glaze. For a more tropical twist, swap raisins for dried pineapple and add some shredded coconut!

Easy Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

No protein powder required for these Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies! They’re gluten-free, made with real food ingredients and packed with protein and fiber. Enjoy them for breakfast or an afternoon snack!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8-12 cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
1/2 cup nut butter (i use peanut butter but almond butter or sunflower seed butter would be great)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
2–3 Tbsp maple syrup (depending on desired level of sweetness)
2 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
1/4 cup Craisins or raisins
1/4 cup oat flour (white whole wheat flour also works)
1 tsp baking soda

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Instructions

Combine sweet potato, peanut butter and eggs in a large bowl and mix well.
Add vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and Craisins and stir to combine.
Add oat flour and baking soda and stir.
Scoop onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (8-12 cookies).
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

These are fluffy and delicious. I used white chia seeds, in case you noticed they’re not black in the photos.

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potato puree instead of fresh homemade in this recipe?

Yes! Canned sweet potato puree will work just fine in this recipe.

Can I replace the sweet potato for pumpkin? Can I make pumpkin cookies instead of sweet potato cookies? Can you use canned pumpkin puree?

Yes! I get this question frequently and you can definitely replace the sweet potato with pumpkin if you’d like to! I almost always have a can of pumpkin in the pantry so I do this often.

Can I freeze sweet potato cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze well! Just let them cool completely and then wrap in plastic wrap and tranfer to a freezer-safe bag. Let them thaw on the counter when ready to eat!

Could I make these with butternut squash?

Yes, canned squash can also be substituted for the sweet potato. I’ve even tried it with homemade roasted squash that I roast and puree until smooth.

And if you’re not craving sweet potato but have bananas to use, try these Banana Lentil Muffins instead!

Can I make gluten-free sweet potato cookies?

These cookies are gluten-free since they use oat flour (be sure to use certified gluten-free if needed). However, you can also make them with regular wheat flour if you have that on hand and don’t need them to be gluten-free.

How to reheat sweet potato cookies?

These cookies are great at room temperature but you can also pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm them back up!

How do I make vegan sweet potato cookies without eggs?

Just replace the two eggs in this recipe with flax eggs.

Can I add oats to make sweet potato oatmeal cookies?

Yes, I would start with 1/2 cup of rolled oats and increase up to 1 cup if you like the texture.

How do I store sweet potato cookies to keep them soft?

Once cooled, store these cookies in an airtight container to help them stay soft and perfectly moist without drying out.

Other Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Delish!

Need more ideas? Try these:

Sweet Potato Waffles

These Sweet Potato Waffles are kid-friendly and perfect for breakfast, pre-workout fuel or an afternoon snack. Add some peanut butter in the middle for a fun waffle sandwich!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato White Bean Bars

These Sweet Potato White Bean Bars are perfect for breakfast or snack time. They’re kid-friendly, nut-free and full of fiber!

Grab the recipe!

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

These gluten-free Sweet Potato Banana Bites have just four main ingredients and make a great snack for both kids and adults!

Grab the recipe!

20+ Baked Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

If you’re in the mood to bake with sweet potatoes, you’ll definitely find something that catches your eye in this round-up!

Click for recipe ideas!

35+ Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes

Need sweet potato dinner recipes? Here are 35+ recipes by category including slow cooker, with chicken or beef, vegetarian and more!

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Lindsay — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

This recipe for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs is an easy, kid-friendly weeknight dinner. Let the crockpot do all the work and serve with rice and steamed veggies for a balanced meal.

*Originally published 4/2016. Updated 7/2025*

This budget-friendly chicken recipe is the perfect healthy meal for busy families. Using a crockpot makes it super quick and easy to get this simple dinner on the table.

Hi friends!

I first shared these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs almost 8 years ago and they’re still one of my go-to crockpot meals. When I first made this recipe, it got the seal of approval from hubby and son and then I made it for my parents and my mom asked for the recipe because my dad loved it so much. I passed it on to several friends before I even put it on the blog and continue to share it regularly. My daughter loves it because carrots and sweet potatoes are her favorite.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Budget-friendly because it uses chicken thighs and other pantry staples
Freezer-friendly – This recipe freezes well!
Perfect for food prep – Prep multiple batches in ziploc bags and freeze some for later.
Easy to customize- Feel free to swap the carrots for other vegetables like sweet potatoes.

This recipe is super easy and affordable – no fancy ingredients required!

Need a slow cooker?? I love this basic Crockpot 8qt with auto warm setting. I also have this Instant Electric Round Dutch Oven which is great because you can brown/sear things right in the pot before switching to slow cooking. And finally, if you have an Instant Pot, you can grab a glass lid to turn it into a slow cooker. (aff links)

Can you freeze this honey garlic chicken thighs crockpot recipe?

This has become my go-to recipe to deliver to new moms or friends who have had surgery, have a sick kid etc. You can easily throw everything in a ziploc bag and deliver it and then they can either dump it in the crockpot to make it immediately or stick it in the freezer for later.

Should I use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts?

This recipe uses chicken thighs. You could make it with chicken breasts. I encourage you to try it at least once with thighs. They do so well in the slow cooker, never drying out like chicken breasts are sometimes prone to do.

Could I use boneless breast tenders?

I wouldn’t recommend tenders for this recipe. Because they’re cooking for a while in the slow cooker, thinner/smaller cuts like tenders would likely end up overcooked and rubbery.

How To Prep Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs for the slow cooker

If you want to prep this ahead of time, just put all of the ingredients in a Ziploc bag.

From there, you can freeze and when you’re ready to use, thaw the night before and throw in the crockpot before work. Or stick the bag in the fridge overnight, dump it into the crockpot in the morning and turn it on.

Mom hack: This is one of my favorite recipes for freezer food prep sessions. Triple the recipe but prep in 3 large Ziploc bags. Lay the bags flat to freeze so they take up less space and cook as needed!

How To Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Here’s the recipe:

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

This recipe for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs is an easy, kid-friendly weeknight dinner. Let the crockpot do all the work and serve with rice and steamed veggies for a balanced meal.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Yield: Serves 6

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato, chopped
2–3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh ginger (i use the paste)
1/4 cup ketchup
2–3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth

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Instructions

Chop the sweet potato and carrots to roughly the same size pieces and place in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add chicken thighs.
In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.
Pour over chicken and cook in a slow cooker on low for about 6 hours.

Pretty simple right? If you aren’t a fan of carrots or sweet potatoes you could probably swap in another veggie, just be aware that some veggies get a bit mushy in the slow cooker. I like carrots and sweet potatoes because they hold their shape well.

Meal Prep Ideas:

Serve with steamed broccoli and rice for an easy, balanced meal.
Ladle over noodles that were prepped ahead of time.
To transform leftovers, chop the chicken and veggies smaller and use to make fried rice.
Prep double and freeze half for later.

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs FAQs

Can you make honey garlic chicken thighs in the instant pot? Can you stack chicken thighs in the instant pot?

Yes! You can easily make this recipe in the Instant pot. Just combine all the ingredients in the Instant pot and cook in manual mode for about 15 minutes. The size, thickness and type of chicken used will determine cooking time but you should be able to shred them easily with a fork.

You can stack chicken thighs 2 high in the instant pot but if you have more than that I would cook in two batches.

Or try this recipe for Instant Pot Honey Ginger Chicken.

What type of chicken thighs should I use for instant pot chicken thighs?

I prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You could try bone-in if you wanted to but I tend to prefer boneless/skinless for slow cooker and instant pot recipes and bone-in chicken with skin when cooking in cast iron on the stove or in the oven.

What setting do you cook chicken on in an Instant pot?

I use manual mode. It allows you to set the timer for the exact number of minutes you want to cook something for!

Can I put raw chicken in the slow cooker?

Yes! Slow cookers are designed to cook meat at a low temperature over a period of several hours. In most cases, chicken will cook in the slow cooker on low heat in 4-6 hours but you can leave it in there longer.

You’ll know it’s done if you check the temperature with a thermometer or when you can shred it easily with a fork.

Do you have to brown chicken before putting in slow cooker?

No, you do not have to brown chicken before slow cooking. You can! Browning is an easy way to add extra flavor but it can be an extra step and if your slow cooker doesn’t come with a browning option it often means dirtying another pan.

While it’s important in some recipes, I don’t find it to be a necessary step in this recipe.

Is chicken breast or thigh better for slow cooker?

Both work fine. I most often by chicken breasts so I cook with those most frequently and they work just fine. Chicken thighs have darker meat that’s a bit fattier and in many cases this is an asset in slow cooking.

The fat helps keep the chicken moist as it cooks low and slow and for this reason chicken thighs are great for slow cooking.

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the slow cooker?

I choose to cook most things in the slow cooker over low heat. Crockpot recipes are designed for cuts of meat the do well when cooked low and slow whereas other cuts of meat do better cooking quickly over high heat like on a grill.

What makes the honey garlic sauce in this chicken recipe?

The sauce is a mix of ginger, garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce and chicken broth.

Is this honey garlic chicken thighs recipe super garlicky?

It uses 4 cloves are garlic but you could easily cut back to 2 cloves if you prefer a milder flavor.

This budget-friendly recipe for honey garlic chicken thighs is sure to be a hit! It’s kid-friendly, affordable, made with simple ingredients and freezes well! Perfect for busy families.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Quick and Easy Vegetable Recipes

Lindsay — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

These Quick and Easy Vegetable Recipes are simple, healthy and kid-friendly as well! They’re perfect dinner side dishes and a great way to add some extra veggies to your day.

*Originally published 8/2017. Updated 7/2025*

These easy vegetable recipes are a great way to add more vegetables to your diet. They’re kid-friendly, affordable and quick to make – a great way to help serve nutritious meals to busy families.

Hi friends!

I originally wrote this post shortly after my second child started eating solid foods. While I did a fairly good job making and serving my oldest a variety of vegetables, it’s a whole different game trying to start feeding a baby with a wild toddler running around.

When I noticed I was falling into the habit of giving her more fruit than veggies, I decided I needed to step up my game. I made an effort to be more proactive about prepping vegetables to have on hand to give her for meals and snacks.

Why You’ll Love These Quick and Easy Vegetable Recipes

Flexible – these ideas are so easy that you often don’t need specific ingredient quantities
Kid-friendly – plenty of ways to help introduce different vegetables to kids
Affordable – vegetables are an inexpensive way to add lots of nutrients to your plate
Perfect for meal prep – many of them can be made ahead of time and reheated

How To Make Vegetables More Interesting

One of the easiest ways to make vegetables more interesting is to add variety. That can mean changing the preparation method – raw, steamed, roasted, sauteed, etc and can also mean adding different spices and seasoning to change up the flavors. Spices like paprika, cumin, curry powder and oregano are great ways to change up the flavor profile without making foods too spicy for little mouths.

What vegetables are best for picky eaters?

All of them! One of the best things you can do for more selective eaters is to offer a wide variety and offer them repeatedly, even when they’re not getting eaten. Exposure matters and even getting kids to touch, smell or lick things on their plate can be a huge exposure win!

Our Favorite Easy Vegetable Recipes

So, here are 9 quick and easy ways to add veggies to your table. I buy fresh veggies weekly, but my freezer is also packed with frozen veggies and my pantry usually has a few cans of vegetables as well.

Most Americans don’t eat nearly enough vegetables and my motto is “the easier the better” so these simple “recipes” will help add some vegetables to your familys’ plates and hopefully you’ll find some new favorites!

What Vegetables Side Dish Recipes Are Good For Last Minute Dinners?

Most of these are ready in just 20 minutes or so in the oven or on the stove if you need to cook them right before eating. But they can also be made ahead of time and reheated which makes them perfect for dinner in a hurry.

They don’t really require recipes so I’ve just provided a short description/instructions for each one:

Easy Roasted Vegetables – Ginger Soy Green Beans

If you’re not a fan of just plain steamed green beans, try these with fresh green beans! I simply cut the ends off, toss in a little oil and roast at 400 degrees F on a foil-lined baking sheet for about 12 minutes, stirring once.

Then drizzle with a little sweet thai chili sauce, some soy sauce and a bit of fresh ginger (or ginger paste) and mix well.

Mom tip – If you don’t have thai chili sauce, you can use maple syrup or soy sauce.

Vegetables with Butter – Paprika Carrots

I just peel some fresh carrots and thinly slice them, then toss with a little melted butter and sprinkle with paprika and roast on a foil-lined baking sheet at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until desired softness is reached, stirring occasionally.

You could also use baby carrots for this – it’d be an easy way to keep all the slices similar sized. I slice mine pretty thin both so they cook quickly and are easy for the baby to eat but you could make them thicker and cook them longer. Also- don’t like butter? Just drizzle with oil instead.

If you have carrots to use up, here are 20 Easy Carrot Recipes to try. My favorite are these Easy Maple Glazed Carrots.

Oven Baked Vegetables – Broccoli Tots

Steam a bag of broccoli in the microwave. Drain excess water and add to food processor. Pulse until well chopped. Add an egg, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 – 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 cup shredded cheese and process until combined. Form into tot shape, squeezing tightly.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, flipping once. Serve with ketchup. Make sure you sprinkle the seasonings around the whole food processor bowl when adding instead of just dumping all in one spot or you may get ALL the garlic powder in one tot like my husband was lucky enough to taste!

Want more broccoli recipes? Try my favorite Cheesy Broccoli or one of these 20+ Easy Broccoli Recipes.

Skillet Vegetables – Balsamic Mushrooms

Thinly slice mushrooms and cook over low heat on the stovetop with a little oil until soft. Add a little balsamic vinegar, mix well and serve.

Mom tip – Mushrooms are the perfect vegetable for even the littlest kids to practice slicing. Give them a plastic knife and let them help you cut the mushrooms before sauteeing. Check out my Ultimate Guide For Teaching Kids To Cook for more tips!

Lightly Sweetened Vegetables – Maple Cinnamon Squash

Cut squash in half and remove seeds. I used acorn squash but most kinds would be fine. Cut into slices – I sliced mine into rings and then cut them in half. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet, brush both sides with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roast at 400 degrees F for 20 min or until soft, flipping once.

Simple Sauteed Vegetables – Pesto Zoodles

Spiralize zucchini into noodles. Saute over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add pesto and stir to combine.

Mom tip – a spiralizer instantly makes any vegetable more fun! If you don’t like zucchini, try spiralizing sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and more. Just keep in mine you will need to saute them longer than 3 minutes.

Oven Roasted Vegetables – Curried Sweet Potatoes

Slice and dice a sweet potato. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with oil (I usually use olive oil but coconut oil would be good for this flavor combo too!) and stir to coat. Sprinkle with curry powder, stir and roast at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes, stirring a couple of times.

Smashed Vegetables – Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Look for the smallest little round potatoes you can find. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet, drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Roast at 425 for 20 minutes. Using the bottom of a glass, smash each potato.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and parmesan cheese. Optional – add rosemary to the mix. Also optional- stick back under the broiler once smashed to get them crispier!

Sauteed Vegetables – Peas with Pancetta

Saute diced pancetta and garlic in a pan. Steam peas in the microwave. Add peas to the pan, stir to combine and serve.

Mom tip – Bacon would also work if you don’t have pancetta! Let’s be honest, bacon makes almost any vegetable taste better!

Easy Vegetable Recipes As Side Dishes FAQs

What vegetables are easiest to cook?

Frozen vegetables are a great option if you’re looking for vegetables that are easy to cook. You don’t need to peel or chop them and they pretty much just need to be heated up in the microwave or on the stove!

Similarly, canned vegetables are an easy option as well. Just open the can, drain if needed and then heat them up if you want to or serve them room temperature. Canned and frozen vegetables are also perfectly prepped to be added to things like soups and casseroles.

Here are some more quick and easy vegetable recipes for lunch/dinner.

What is the fastest vegetable to cook? What is the best way to cook vegetables quickly?

The smaller the vegetable pieces, the quicker they cook so if you do need things to cook quickly, dicing them into small pieces will help! You can also look for precut vegetables at the grocery store to save time.

Cooking frozen vegetables in the microwave is an easy way to cook vegetables quickly. You can then add seasonings, butter, salt etc or add a sauce on top for an easy side dish.

Harder vegetables like potatoes and carrots can take longer to cook than vegetables like peas, corn, peppers, beans etc.

Here are some quick-cooking tips for vegetables.

How to store these vegetable recipes?

These vegetable recipes can be stored in glass Pyrex containers in the fridge. To reheat them you can use the microwave, a saute pan or an air fryer.

What veggies are best for meal prepping? Can you meal prep vegetables for the week?

You guys know I love meal prep. I have a whole course called Mastering Food Prep. Vegetables are something I prep every single week. Some of my favorites are chopping, washing and drying lettuce for salads and prepping a veggie snack tray with carrots, cucumbers, peppers, cherry tomatoes, etc. I also always roast a few vegetables like sweet potatoes, potatoes, green beans etc to use as dinner side dishes.

Here are more tips for How To Meal Prep Veggies for Easy Meals and How To Meal Prep Specific Veggies.

What are some autumn and winter vegetable recipes? What are some spring and summer vegetable recipes?

Fall and winter veggies include things like brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, carrots, kale and other leafy greens. Spring and summer vegetables include things like asparagus, snap peas, corn, squash and zucchini.

Quick and Easy Vegetable Meal Prep Tips

Roasted vegetables like green beans, sweet potatoes and carrots hold up well in the fridge. Roast a big batch and reheat to serve with dinners all week.
Raw vegetables can be prepped ahead of time to snack on – think carrots, peppers, celery, broccoli – or you can simply do your chopping ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to cook.
You’re much more likely to eat vegetables if you have them already prepped and ready to go so spending a little time prepping can lead to a much higher vegetable intake later in the week.

How To Freeze Vegetables

There are lots of vegetables that freeze well so in the summer especially, you can stock up on vegetables and freeze them for later.
Try chopping vegetables like bell peppers, leeks, corn and green beans and freezing them raw. When you need them, you can pull them out and add saute, add to stir-fry, put in soups and casseroles etc.
To help preserve them even further, you can blanch them in boiling water for a minute or two. This helps preserve nutrients and prevent any changes while frozen. Here’s how to blanch vegetables for freezing.
Leafy greens like spinach can also be frozen and later added to smoothies, soups, and more.

Best Kid-Friendly Vegetable Side Dish Recipes:

Looking for more veggie side dishes? Try these:

These quick and easy vegetable recipes are great for families who want to serve healthy and nutritious meals. They’re kid-friendly, affordable and the perfect addition to your dinner plate.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

Lindsay — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

These gluten-free Sweet Potato Banana Muffins have just four main ingredients and make a great snack for both kids and adults!

*Originally published 2/2013. Updated 2025*

Hi Friends!

These are the very best Sweet Potato Banana Muffins and I developed this recipe way back in 2013. I previously called them Sweet Potato Banana Bites. They’re one of the first homemade snacks I made for all three of my kids when they first started eating solids and they’ve been a favorite each time. Now my kids are 6, 4 and 2 and I still make them several times a month! Watch my younger two make some to see how easy it is.

Sweet Potato Muffins for Babies

All you need are four simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand – sweet potato, banana, peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter) and eggs. Then you can add your favorite mix-ins if you’d like – cinnamon and vanilla, chocolate chips, frozen blueberries etc. The thing I love most is that you don’t really even need to measure. I never do.

I grab a medium-large sweet potato, stab it a few times with a knife and throw it in the microwave for 5 minutes. Once it’s cooked, I slice it open, scoop the insides out into a bowl, add a medium banana and a couple spoonfuls of peanut butter and mash it all up. Mix in two eggs, a few shakes of cinnamon and a handful of chocolate chips and you’re done!

If you leave out the chocolate chips, there’s no added sugar so these moist mini muffins are perfect for baby-led weaning. I served them to my kids starting around 6 months. They’re a great way to introduce peanut butter and/or eggs- two common allergens.

Sweet Potato Recipes For Toddlers – Kid-Friendly Muffins

I always make these as mini muffins which makes them perfect for toddlers. If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, use a regular one but don’t fill more than half full. There’s no baking soda like in most muffins. If you’re making for babyled weaning, I actually prefer a regular muffin tin filled just slightly because it makes them a little wider and flatter, easier for young hands to grab. Baking time should remain about the same.

I find my silicone muffin tin works best. If you use a metal pan, be sure each mini-muffin hole is well greased! I store these in the fridge because they are pretty moist and my kids and I eat them cold at snack time. (If you need them to be nut-free you can try sunflower seed butter.)

What Easy Recipe Mix-ins Can I Add?

Don’t want to use chocolate chips? Try adding raisins or chopped dates. Or mix in some ground flaxseed or hemp hearts.

Want more sweet potato recipes? Here are 20+ Baked Sweet Potato Recipes.

Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

They’re even easy enough for toddlers to make themselves and perfect for getting kids in the kitchen since the recipe is so forgiving. Here’s a video of my oldest making them as a toddler!

Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

These muffins are made with sweet potato which means they’re packed with nutrients. Sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and manganese. They also provide fiber and antioxidants.

Using sweet potatoes as the base of this recipe keeps them moist and adds natural sweetness along with the mashed banana.

Sweet Potato Bites (Muffins Alternative)

A few notes:

They’re not super sweet. There’s no added sugar except from the chocolate chips so make sure you use really ripe bananas
They’re gluten-free and dairy-free (as long as you use dairy-free chocolate chips if needed!
You can eat them for dessert, for an afternoon snack or before a workout
The recipe is very forgiving so your measurements don’t have to be exact. I never measure. I just eyeball it.

Sweet Potato Banana Recipes

This is my favorite way to combine sweet potato and banana, but you could also sub banana for maple syrup in my Sweet Potato White Bean Bars or Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies. If you have more bananas to use up, try these Banana Lentil Muffins.

How To Make Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

Here’s how you make them:

Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

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4.7 from 15 reviews

These gluten-free Sweet Potato Banana Bites have just four main ingredients and make a great snack for both kids and adults!

Author: Lindsay L
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 14-16 mini muffins

Ingredients

1/2 c cooked, mashed sweet potato (approx 1 medium)
1/2 cup mashed banana (approx 1 medium)
1/4 c nut butter
2 eggs
cinnamon, to taste
Optional mix-ins: dark chocolate chips, fruit, chia seeds, etc

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Instructions

Smash the sweet potato and banana together in a small bowl.
Add the peanut butter, eggs and cinnamon & mix well.
Stir in any additional mix-ins and spoon into greased mini muffin tins.
Bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes.

Feel free to customize by using your favorite nut butter. I’ve made them with peanut butter, almond butter and sunflower seed butter- all delicious.

Sweet Potato Banana Muffins FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potato instead of fresh in muffins?

Yes! Canned sweet potato can easily be used in this recipe. Feel free to substitute if needed.

How do I make gluten-free sweet potato banana muffins?

These muffins are naturally gluten-free since none of the 4 main ingredients contain gluten.

What can I use instead of eggs to make vegan sweet potato banana muffins?

I have made this recipe using applesauce to replace the two eggs but it makes the muffins almost overly moist and dense. My suggestion would be to replace with 1/4 cup applesauce and one flax egg.

How should I store sweet potato banana muffins to keep them fresh?

You can store these muffins in a container on the counter for a day or two. After that I would move them to the fridge to keep them from spoiling since they are so moist.

Can I bake this sweet potato banana muffin recipe as a loaf?

I wouldn’t recommend it. There’s no flour in this recipe and no baking soda to provide lift and this would result in a very dense flat loaf that might have trouble cooking all the way through.

Can I freeze sweet potato banana muffins and how do I thaw them?

Yes. Cool muffins completely and then transfer to a Ziploc or freezer-safe bag and freeze. To thaw simply transfer to the counter!

What’s a good substitute for bananas in sweet potato muffins?

Try subbing 1/4 cup applesauce for the banana if needed.

Sweet Potato Banana Muffins – No Added Sugar

You can also mix-in things like chia seeds or fruit instead of chocolate chips- I love mixing in frozen blueberries or fresh cranberries!

Healthy Muffins

And If you’re looking for something like this that’s a little bit sweeter, you should definitely try my Healthy Brownie Bites! With just two extra ingredients, I transformed my sweet potato bites into a healthy, bite-sized chocolate dessert!

In the mood for more muffins? Try:

Looking for more healthy snack ideas? Check out some of my favorites:

See all my snack recipes here.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup (with slow cooker option)

Lindsay — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

This Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup is the perfect dinner for a cold winter night. Made with simple ingredients, it’s easy to throw together and can also be made in the slow cooker.

*Originally published 2/2019. Updated 1/2025*

Hi friends!

This Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup is perfect for the cold winter weather here in Ohio. If you’re looking for even more soup options, check out:

Creamy Sweet Potato Chicken Soup

One of my favorite instant pot tricks is that if you cook sweet potatoes chunks long enough, they basically fall apart when you stir them.

I often use this method to make a creamy type soup without the cream. Similarly, you can blend in a can of beans to add extra fiber and protein as well as a creamy texture.

If you decide to make this on the stove top and your sweet potatoes don’t fall apart on their own, feel free to remove the chicken and use a blender or immersion blender to blend up part of the broth to achieve a creamy texture.

The sweet potatoes in this recipe make it creamy while still keeping this recipe dairy-free and gluten-free. If the sweet potatoes falling apart make it too thick, add a little more broth!

Ingredients in Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup

Here are a few of the ingredients you need to make this soup:

Sweet potatoes – if you don’t have them on hand, try butternut squash, acorn squash or carrots
Chicken thighs – feel free to swap in chicken breasts if you prefer.
Spinach – this is optional, but fresh baby spinach wilts easily into soups and is a great option for adding more veggies
Corn – Feel free to use fresh, frozen or canned corn
Seasoning – this is a basic soup recipe and there are tons of great seasoning combinations you can use – try Old Bay, McCormick’s chicken seasoning or a combination of cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper.

How To Make Sweet Potato Chicken Soup

To make this soup, pull out your Instant Pot and follow a few simple steps:

Combine all ingredients except the spinach and corn in the Instant Pot.
Cook as directed.
Remove the chicken and shred it and return to the pot along with the spinach and corn.
Serve and enjoy!

Chicken and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Here’s the recipe:

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup (with slow cooker option)

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This Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup is the perfect dinner for a cold winter night. Made with simple ingredients, it’s easy to throw together and can also be made in the slow cooker.

Author: Lindsay

Ingredients

1.5 pounds sweet potatoes (approx 2 large or 4 cups roughly chopped)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1.5 cups chicken broth (more if desired)
1 cup corn kernels (frozen, canned or fresh)
3 giant handfuls fresh baby spinach
2 tsp Old Bay**
1 tsp salt
Avocado to garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Peel and roughly chop sweet potatoes. You can also leave the skin on if you want to!
Place sweet potatoes, garlic, peppers, chicken thighs, seasoning and broth in the instant pot.
Seal and manually set the timer for 12 minutes.
Quick release. Remove chicken to shred. Use a fork or potato masher to gently break apart sweet potato chunks as you stir. Switch to saute, return chicken to pot and stir in corn and spinach.
Let simmer 2-3 minutes, taste, adjust seasonings and serve. If you want to thin it out a little, add an additional half cup of broth.

Notes

**If you don’t have Old Bay, try swapping in Montreal Chicken Seasoning or 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika and 1/2 tsp curry powder.

To make it in the slow cooker, increase broth to 2 cups, cook in low for 6-8 hours until sweet potatoes break apart easily. Add spinach and corn for last 15 minutes.

See what I mean by easy?! Be sure to let me know if you try this one. Want more instant pot recipes? You can browse my instant pot archives here.

Instant Pot Chicken and Sweet Potatoes Soup FAQs

What can I substitute for sweet potato in chicken soup?

If you don’t have sweet potato, squash is a great option. Butternut squash, acorn squash or other similar squash with the peel removed will act similarly to sweet potato in this recipe. You could also use carrots but they don’t fall apart as easily and you’ll likely need to blend them by hand to make it creamy.

Is soup with chicken and sweet potatoes healthy?

Yes! This soup is packed with protein and vegetables and makes a great complete meal on a cold day. Sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamin A and C. You can leave the skin on to add fiber. The spinach adds more Vitamin A and iron and the chicken adds protein.

Can you freeze Instant Pot chicken and sweet potatoes?

Yes! Let cool and then portion into containers like Souper Cubes (aff link) to freeze for later. This soup can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove top.

You could easily double this recipe and freeze half!

What to serve with chicken sweet potato soup?

This soup is fine on its own, but would be great alongside crusty bread and a side salad for a healthy, balanced meal!

What is the sweet potato chicken soup crockpot version of this recipe?

To make this recipe in the slow cooker, start with 2 cups of broth. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Remove the chicken to shred and use a blender or immersion blender to blend the sweet potatoes. Add more broth as needed to achieve your desired consistency. Stir shredded chicken, spinach and corn into soup and let cook for 15 minutes more.

Can I turn this into chicken noodle soup with sweet potatoes?

To make this recipe more kid-friendly, increase the broth to 3 cups. The sweet potatoes will still dissolve right into the broth but it will be thinner and more soup-like. You can also reduce the amount of seasonings and skip the spinach if you want.

Do I have to garnish with avocado?

No! I love to use avocado as a soup garnish because it blends right in with its mild flavor and adds some healthy fats but feel free to skip it. You could add some fresh herbs or cheese on top if you want to!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

Lindsay — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000

This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad is a simple, healthy side dish recipe. Choose your favorite veggies, then add some bacon, goat cheese and an easy balsamic dressing.

*Originally published 10/2017. Updated 10/2024*

Hi friends!

Popping in today to share a fun new pasta salad recipe with you guys.

This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad is packed with…you guessed it…roasted veggies! The best part about this recipe is that it’s so easy to customize with your favorite vegetables.

Some of my favorites include Brussels sprouts, green beans, red peppers and sweet potatoes. I also often use broccoli and sometimes I’ll throw in some carrots.

It’s best to choose vegetables that all cook similarly so if you’re going to use carrots, chop them fairly small and know that they might still have a little crunch to them compared to vegetables like brussels sprouts, green beans and peppers.

I like that for a little texture variety but it’s something to consider. If you don’t like that, swap carrots for broccoli or sweet potatoes.

Another great thing about this recipe is that you can use pretty much any kind of pasta. I’ve made it with ravioli, tortellini, elbows and spirals and they all work just fine.

Ingredients for Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

Here’s what you need to make this pasta salad:

Roasted vegetables -Brussels sprouts, broccoli, sweet potatoes, green beans and bell peppers are all great options.
Pasta – use your favorite type! I personally prefer tortellini or spirals
Goat cheese– a few goat cheese crumbles really add a nice flavor to this pasta salad
Bacon – Another great way to add flavor and a bit of texture
Homemade dressing– I use a simple homemade balsamic dressing which includes a mix of oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, maple syrup or honey and garlic.

How To Make Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

Making this pasta salad is pretty simple!

Cook your pasta.
Roast your vegetables.
Mix pasta and veggies with cooked, diced bacon and goat cheese.
Make the homemade dressing.
Stir everything together and serve!

Vegetable Pasta Salad Recipe

Here’s how you make it:

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad is a simple, healthy side dish recipe. Choose your favorite veggies, then add some bacon, goat cheese and an easy balsamic dressing.

Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: serves 4-6

Ingredients

3 cups spiral pasta (or your favorite type)
4 cups chopped vegetables (green beans, Brussel’s sprouts, peppers, sweet potatoes, etc – more if desired)
4 strips bacon, cooked and diced
approx 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled (more or less if desired)
1/2 cup oil (I use avocado oil)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 – 2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey (depends on desired sweetness)
1/4 tsp salt
1 clove of garlic grated with microplaner, optional

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Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process once cooked.
While the noodles cook, spread vegetables on a sheet pan, spray with oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes (depending on your desired degree of doneness).
Combine cooked pasta and veggies in a large bowl, along with chopped bacon and goat cheese crumbles and gently stir to combine.
Combine oil, vingar, mustard, maple syrup, salt and garlic(if using) in a jar with a lid and shake until well combined. Taste and add more sweetener if needed.
Pour half the dressing over pasta salad and toss to coat. Taste and add more dressing if desired.

Notes

Be sure to chop vegetables fairly small so they cook in 15-20 minutes.

Quick, easy and delicious. If you want to, you could add some leftover chicken into the mix as well!

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad FAQs

Do you serve this roasted vegetable pasta salad cold?

Totally up to you! This pasta salad tastes great warm, cold or room temperature. Keep in mind if you serve it warm, the goat cheese will melt.

How to store roasted vegetable pasta salad?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

What are the best vegetables for vegetable pasta salad?

It’s best to choose vegetables that all cook in a similar time – broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red peppers, sweet potatoes and green beans all cook in about 20 minutes. Carrots can also cook in that time frame when chopped small.

If you’re worried, cook carrots on a separate baking sheet so they can cook a few extra minutes without overcooking the other vegetables.

Could you make this a grilled vegetable pasta salad?

Absolutely. Keep everything the same, just swap grilled vegetables for the roasted ones.

What are some other vegetable pasta salad recipes?

Here are a few others to try:

Or try this Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta.

Best dressing for roasted vegetable pasta salad?

I tend to prefer balsamic or honey mustard but Italian is also a classic. Here are some easy homemade dressings to choose from:

What to serve with vegetable pasta salad?

Choose your favorite protein! This would be great with a side of marinated chicken or steak. Or you could mix some chicken sausage right in.

Try:

Easy Vegetable Pasta Salad

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Curried Sweet Potato Soup

Lindsay — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 06:12:00 +0000

Small ingredient list, big flavor. This Curried Sweet Potato Soup is perfect for a vegetarian dinner on a cold fall evening. Make a double batch and freeze some for a busy week!

*Originally published 11/2010. Post updated 9/2024*

Hi friends –

This curried sweet potato soup is a family recipe and in total transparency, I used to hate it.

I vividly remember my mom making it all the time when I was growing up. My dad loved it and now as I’ve gotten older, I understand why.

I’ve been making it for myself and my husband for years and along the way, I’ve made some modifications. Lots of recipes for sweet potato soup use coconut milk but I prefer to blend in a can of white beans for some extra fiber and protein. I also add carrots along with the sweet potato for an extra veggie.

This soup is hearty and spicy and it makes a great dinner side or appetizer.

Curried Sweet Potato Soup Ingredients

The ingredient list is simple but full of flavor:

Leeks- I prefer them over onions for the milder flavor. I always have some sliced and stored in the freezer to make it easy to add them to things.
Ginger – Fresh ginger is so flavorful and the perfect compliment to the curry powder.
Sweet potatoes – The star ingredient!
Carrots- Why not toss another orange veggie in since it’s all getting blended together?!
White beans – These are so mild in flavor that they blend easily into the soup while adding both protein, fiber and creaminess.
Broth – Use veggie broth to keep it vegetarian or chicken broth if that’s what you have on hand.
Spices – Curry powder adds the signature flavor, cayenne adds a little kick and salt enhances it all!

How To Make Easy Sweet Potato Soup with Curry

To make this soup, simply saute the leeks and ginger in some butter, then add the veggies, beans, broth and spices and simmer until soft.

Using a blender or immersion blender, puree everything up. I always start with 3 cups of broth and then add more at the end so I can control what thickness I’ll end up with.

You can also puree only 3/4 of the way and leave some of the veggies for a little more texture.

Other way to use sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite veggies so if you’re looking for other ways to use them up, here are some ideas:

Or try one of these 35+ Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes or one of these 20+ Baked Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes. Find all of my sweet potato recipes here.

Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Here’s how I make my version of this family recipe:

Curried Sweet Potato Soup

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5 from 2 reviews

Warm, hearty and full of spice this soup makes a great appetizer or meal of its own!

Author: Lindsay L
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: serves 4-6

Ingredients

2 Tbsp unsalted butter (or oil)
1 cup sliced leeks
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger (approx a 1 inch knob)
5–6 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes (approx 3 medium, roughly 1.5 pounds)
1 cup peeled and sliced carrots
1 (14.5 oz) can great northern beans (drained and rinsed)
2 Tbsp curry powder
4–5 cups broth (vegetable or chicken broth)
1/2 – 1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
Plain yogurt to garnish (optional)

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Instructions

In a large pot melt butter. Add leeks and ginger and saute for 5 minutes over medium heat.
Add sweet potatoes, carrots, beans, spices and 3 cups of broth.
Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer until sweet potatoes are tender (about 15-20 min).
Puree the soup in batches in blender or using an immersion blender.
Add remaining broth as needed to thin to desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Drizzle with plain yogurt to garnish if desired.

Notes

Other garnish options- roasted chickpeas, crispy onions, cilantro, etc

If you prefer a chunkier soup, you can puree only part way.

Curried Sweet Potato Soup FAQs

How to store curried sweet potato soup?

Store in a glass container in the fridge. Soup may thicken as it cools so feel free to add a splash of water or broth if needed when you reheat it to help thin it out again.

Can I freeze curried sweet potato soup?

Yes! Let cool completely and then store in a freezer-friendly container. I love Souper Cubes (aff link) so you can freeze in whatever portion size you want and easily thaw as needed.

Is this vegetarian sweet potato soup?

Yes! As long as you use vegetable broth, use oil instead of butter and skip the yogurt garnish, this soup is both vegetarian and vegan.

Is curried sweet potato soup gluten-free?

Yes, this soup is naturally gluten-free.

Are there other curried sweet potato soup recipes?

If you’re looking for a bit of a different spin, try one of these:

Curried Sweet Potato Soup
Curried Sweet Potato Soup (with Crispy Onions)
Instant Pot Thai Red Curry Sweet Potato Soup

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

35+ Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes

Lindsay — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 11:13:00 +0000

Need sweet potato dinner recipes? Here are 35+ recipes by category including slow cooker, with chicken or beef, vegetarian and more!

*Originally published 11/2021. Updated 4/2024*

Hi friends!

Let’s chat sweet potato dinner recipes. Sweet potatoes are one of the most versatile veggies.

What are the Benefits of Sweet Potatoes?

So what are the health benefits of sweet potatoes? They’re technically a vegetable, but they’re also starchy so they are a source of carbohydrates as well. Sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamin A and C so they’re great for your visium, immune system and more. They’re also high in antioxidants which help protect your cells!

As for the benefits of sweet potato skins, they’re high in fiber which is great for gut health. Adding fiber to your meals will help you feel full and satisfied for longer periods of time. Sweet potatoes contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.

How to cook sweet potatoes // How do you prepare sweet potatoes for a healthy dinner?

If you need one quickly, you can just stab it all over with a knife and microwave for 5-6 minutes for a microwave baked potato. Or you can use a countertop appliance:

You can also dice and roast them in the oven or add them to recipes without cooking them first.

Can sweet potatoes be made into noodles for dinner recipes?

Yes! Sweet potatoes are easy to spiralize and hold their shape really well. They don’t get quite as mushy as zucchini noodles and can be used in stirfries, casseroles, soups and more!

Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes

If you’re looking to include them in your meals, here are some easy sweet potato recipes:

Crockpot Sweet Potato Recipes (or Instant Pot) – How do you make a sweet potato dinner in a slow cooker?

Kitchen appliances like a slow cooker or instant pot are great for recipes using sweet potatoes because they cook them to make them soft but the sweet potatoes still hold their shape and don’t totally fall apart!

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup via The Lean Green Bean
Sweet Potato Chicken Chili via The Lean Green Bean
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs via The Lean Green Bean
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes via Cafe Delites
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes via Well Plated
Honey Roasted Chicken & Sweet Potato Skillet via Creme de la Crumb – not slow cooker

Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipes – Are there any sweet potato recipes that pair well with chicken?

Chicken is one of the most popular proteins and it pairs very well with sweet potatoes. Combine them in casseroles, soups, bowls and more.

Thai Peanut Chicken Sweet Potato Noodles via Iowa Girl Eats
Sheet Pan Chili Chicken with Sweet Potatoes via Sugar Dish Me
Harvest Chicken Skillet with Sweet Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts via Well Plated
Spicy Chicken & Sweet Potato Meal Prep via Pinch of Yum
Chicken Shawarma and Sweet Potato Fry Bowls via Half Baked Harvest
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes via DelightfulEMade

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Recipes (or turkey)

Sweet potatoes also pair well with ground meat in a variety of dishes like meatballs, chili, tacos and more.

Paleo Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs via The Lean Green Bean
Sheet Pan BBQ Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes via The Lean Green Bean
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie via The Real Food Dietitians
Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Fries via First and Full
Sweet Potato Chili Casserole via Dear Chrissy
Beef and Sweet Potato Tacos via The Roasted Root

Black Bean Sweet Potato Recipe – Can sweet potatoes be used in vegetarian dinner recipes?

Yes! They’re super versatile and pair well with vegetarian proteins like beans, lentils and tofu.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas via A Couple Cooks
Black Bean Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes via Naturally Ella
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili via All The Healthy Things
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger via Minimalist Baker
Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Bowl via Joyful Healthy Eats
Sheet Pan Sweet Potato & Black Bean Hash via The Kitchn

Lentil sweet potato recipes (or vegetarian)

Here are some ideas using lentils:

Easy Sweet Potato Curry via Jessica in the Kitchen
Sweet Potato Chickpea Buddha Bowls via Minimalist Baker
Easy Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Casserole via Eating Bird Food
Creamy Thai Sweet Potatoes and Lentils via Pinch of Yum
Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Crispy Sesame Chickpeas via Half Baked Harvest
Roasted Sweet Potato Lentil Salad via Whole Living Lauren

Easy Sweet Potato Recipes

These are some super easy sweet potato recipes that you can try on a busy night:

Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Apple via The Lean Green Bean
Maple Ginger Pork with Caramelized Sweet Potatoes via The Kitchen
Whole 30 Breakfast Casserole via The Almond Eater
Tuna Quinoa Cakes via The Lean Green Bean
Sweet Potato Tuna Melts via Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes 5 Ways via Emilie Eats

Sweet Potato Fries Dinner Ideas

If you’re looking for a simple sweet potato dinner side dish, try homemade sweet potato fries! Here are a few ways to make them:

Sweet Potato Dinner Ideas for Kids // Sweet Potato Meal Ideas for Babies

Are there any sweet potato dinner recipes that are kid-friendly?

Yes! Sweet potatoes are actually one of the vegetables kids love most. They have a mild flavor, mix well with cheese and can easily be added to a lot of kid-friendly dishes. If you’re trying to get your kids to eat more sweet potatoes or trying baby-led weaning, try some of these recipes:

Quick Baked Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes

Need quick dinner ideas using baked sweet potatoes?

If you saw anything that caught your eye, be sure to pin this post for later!

Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes FAQs

What are some quick sweet potato dinner recipes?

My favorite sweet potato recipes are easy to customize, quick to make and don’t require an exact recipe. This includes things like:

Loaded baked sweet potatoes – bake your sweet potatoes in the oven, crockpot, air fryer or microwave ahead of time and then top with your favorite meat, cheese and sauteed veggies.
Sheet pan sausage and sweet potatoes – Dice up sweet potatoes, slice some sausage and add another veggie like green beans or broccoli and bake them all together on a sheet pan.
Tacos – roast some diced sweet potatoes ahead of time and then mix them with black beans and use as a filling for tacos.

What are some ways to make sweet potatoes crispy for dinner?

The most common reason sweet potatoes don’t get crispy is because the pan is too crowded. There needs to be space between the potatoes on the baking sheet so air can circulate and help the edges get crispy.

Make sure the pieces you’re using aren’t too thick or they will have trouble getting crispy. Also make sure you’re roasting at a high temperature like 425 degrees F to help sweet potatoes crisp up and don’t use too much oil – just a light spray is best.

Can sweet potatoes be used in salad recipes for dinner?

I absolutely love adding roasted sweet potatoes to salads. Here are a few ideas:

Are there any sweet potato meal prep recipes that can be made ahead of time?

Sweet potatoes are great for meal prep because they hold their shape well after cooking and reheat well. Try some of these recipes that can be prepped ahead of time and enjoyed all week long for a quick lunch or dinner:

Sweet Potato Meal Ideas

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

20+ Baked Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

Lindsay — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 04:00:00 +0000

These baked sweet potato dessert recipes are perfect for any occasion! Learn how to bake a sweet potato and make a dessert everyone will love!

*Originally published 11/2021. Updated 10/2022*

Hi friends!

If you’ve been around awhile, you know I have a baked sweet potato recipe or two! I bake a sweet potato (or several) pretty much every week when I food prep and while I sometimes use them in Sweet Potato Dinner Recipes, I most frequently bake with them. Baked sweet potatoes are the perfect addition to muffins and bars, brownies and cakes!

But before we talk about the recipes, we need to talk about preparation.

How to bake a sweet potato

There is a baked sweet potato recipe for pretty much any small kitchen appliance you might have. When I need one quickly, I use the microwave. If I’m cooking several, I typically use the instant pot or air fryer. Here are several options:

Baked Sweet Potato In Microwave – stab multiple times with a knife and microwave 5-6 minutes
Baked Sweet Potato Recipe in Oven: just place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F until soft enough to pierce easily with a knife – 45 min or so.
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Recipe
Baked Sweet Potato in Air Fryer
Crockpot Sweet Potato Recipe

Any of these methods will cook the sweet potatoes and make them soft enough for baking.

Healthy desserts with sweet potato

When I first shared this roundup there was a lot of interest in desserts with sweet potatoes so I’ve updated the roundup to give you even more ideas. However, I’m also sharing some of my favorite muffins and bar recipes at the end because they are recipes I make weekly that my kids love for pretty much any meal of the day!

Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes:

Here are some desserts with sweet potato that you’ll absolutely fall in love with – everything from chocolate cake to cookies to cinnamon rolls!

30-Minute Healthy Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

You’d never guess this rich chocolate cake is made with both sweet potatoes and avocado!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes

Classic sweet potato casserole is transformed into a hand-held dessert that can be served beyond Thanksgiving.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Cake

Like carrot cake, but with a sweet potato twist! Plus you’ll love the bourbon salted caramel frosting!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

These soft and fluffy cookies are perfectly spiced and topped with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Add sweet potato to the dough, fill the middle with cinnamon and sugar and top it off with a brown butter cream cheese glaze!

Grab the recipe!

Grandbaby Southern Sweet Potato Pie

If you love pumpkin pie, you’ve gotta add this sweet potato pie to your dessert table this year!

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Desserts

If you’re looking to bake with sweet potatoes but try something a little bit healthier, try one of these healthy baked sweet potato dessert recipes:

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

Grab the recipe

Dessert Baked Sweet Potato

Which toppings will you add to your sweet potato to turn them into dessert? Think coconut, almond butter, dark chocolate and more!

Grab the recipe!

Maple-Pecan Cranberry Sweet Potato Crisp

The perfect mix of apples, cranberries and sweet potatoes with a maple pecan topping!

Grab the recipe!

Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole Dessert

A lightened-up version of a classic Thanksgiving staple everyone will love!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

Have you ever seen purple sweet potatoes in your grocery store? Next time grab a few to make one of these stunning dessert! Some of these are baked in the oven and others turn baked sweet potato into a no-bake dessert you’ll love!

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

A classic sweet potato pie made with purple sweet potatoes for a beautiful color!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Vibrant purple vegan pie filling and an almond flour crust make these irresistible!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Ice Cream

The perfect combination of purple sweet potato, maple syrup and almond milk!

Grab the recipe!

Purple Sweet Potato Pudding

All you need are 4 ingredients to make this pudding with a little bit of ginger in every bite!

Grab the recipe

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

The perfect recipe to introduce you to baking with purple sweet potato!

Grab the recipe!

Vegan Sweet Potato Dessert Recipes

For those looking for vegan desserts, here are several options! Several of them are gluten-free as well.

Gluten-Free Vegan Sweet Potato Blondies

If you’re not a fan of traditional chocolate brownies, try these sweet potato blondies!

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Easy Vegan Sweet Potato Cake

Fluffy and moist with tons of spices and and a dairy-free frosting!

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Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Only 9 ingredients required for a delicious healthy dessert with sweet potato!

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Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

Both the rich chocolate cake AND the frosting are made with sweet potato!

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Vegan Sweet Potato Cinnamon Cheesecake

Thanks to cashews, dates and sweet potato, this cheesecake is both vegan and dairy-free!

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Sweet Potato Muffins and Bars Recipes

As I mentioned above, while sweet potatoes are great for dessert, they’re also great for baking and I use them weekly in the baked goods I make for myself and my kids. Here are a few of my favorites:

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies

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Sweet Potato White Bean Bars

These Sweet Potato White Bean Bars are perfect for breakfast or snack time. They’re kid-friendly, nut-free and full of fiber!

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Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

These gluten-free Sweet Potato Banana Bites have just four main ingredients and make a great snack for both kids and adults!

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Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins

This recipe for Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins makes a great breakfast or grab-and-go snack. Use fresh or dried cranberries or swap chocolate chips

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Sweet Potato Waffles

These Sweet Potato Waffles are kid-friendly and perfect for breakfast, pre-workout fuel or an afternoon snack. Add some peanut butter in the middle for a fun waffle sandwich!

Grab the recipe!

Did any of these catch your eye? Be sure to pin this post and share with friends!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili {Instant Pot or Slow Cooker}

Lindsay — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0000

This Sweet Potato Chicken Chili can be made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker for an easy, healthy dinner. And the leftovers make the perfect packable lunch.

Originally published Jan 2018. Updated Oct 2021.

Hi friends!

Soup season is here! As the weather starts to get colder, I always crave soup and this Sweet Potato Chicken Chili is a forever favorite. I’m not a huge ground beef fan so traditional chili isn’t my favorite but I love this twist because it incorporates some of my favorites. I also love it because like a lot of soups, it gets better as it sits, so making a huge batch on Sunday and eating it for lunch or dinner all week long works out well. If you’re not a fan of red chili, try my White Chicken Chili!

Chicken Chili with Sweet Potato

Here are the ingredients:

Onion – White or yellow work best
Black beans – Look for a low-sodium can or give them a good rinse after draining
Sweet Potato – Leave the peels on! You won’t even notice them. And make sure to dice into evenly-sized chunks.
Corn – I usually use frozen corn but fresh or canned would also work
Diced canned tomatoes – I prefer the no-salt-added variety so I can salt the whole soup to taste
Spice – paprika, chili powder and cayenne can all be adjusted to your taste preferences
Chicken – chicken breasts or thighs work for this recipe
Broth – Use chicken or vegetable broth
Toppings – I top mine with avocado, cheese and tortilla chips

Chicken Sweet Potato Chili Slow Cooker

This is a great soup for pulling out your slow cooker. Just throw everything but the toppings in and give it a good stir. Then cook on low for about 6 hours, shred the chicken and serve with toppings

Chicken Sweet Potato Chili Instant Pot

If you’d prefer to make it in the Instant pot, cook time will depend on the thickness of your chicken. Start with 15 minutes and then check to see if the chicken shreds easily. If not, restart for a few more minutes.

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

I actually made this soup on a whim. Turns out it was so good that I immediately made a second batch to photograph and share with you guys. I’ve made it both in the Instant Pot and the slow cooker and it turns out great either way. The great thing about chili is that it’s pretty hard to screw up. Like most soups, you basically just throw what you have on hand in a pot, add some seasonings and serve. Plus you can easily adjust this recipe to make it fit your dietary preferences.

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

In this sweet potato chili turkey or beef (ground) can be substituted for the chicken, however, I would cook the ground meat first before adding to the slow cooker or instant pot and reduce the cooking time in the Instant Pot to about 10 minutes.

No Bean Sweet Potato Chili (Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili)

Not a fan of beans, no problem! You can still enjoy this chili. Just swap the black beans for cooked quinoa or farro! They’re both a great source of nutrients that will add protein and fiber just like beans do but may reduce the intestinal discomfort beans can cause some people.

Sweet Potato Chili Recipe Vegetarian

Another option would be to leave the beans and swap chicken for cooked quinoa or tempeh for an easy sweet potato chili recipe vegetarians will love.

Chicken Sweet Potato Chili

Recipe for Sweet Potato Chili with Chicken

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

Print Recipe

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4.7 from 6 reviews

This Sweet Potato Chicken Chili can be made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker for an easy, healthy dinner. And the leftovers make the perfect packable lunch.

Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 12 min
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

1/2 cup diced onion
1.5 cups black beans (or one can drained)
2 cups diced sweet potato
1 cup frozen corn
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
1 (14.5 oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup chicken broth
optional toppings: chips, cheese, avocado

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine all ingredients (except optional toppings) in the instant pot or slow cooker.

Option 1: Use the manual button on the instant pot to cook for 12-15 minutes depending on how thick your chicken breasts are. I usually let the pressure release naturally but if you’re in a hurry you can do manual release. If the chicken doesn’t shred easily, cook a few minutes more.

Option 2: Cook in the slow cooker for about 6 hours on low or until the chicken shreds easily.

Add toppings and serve!

Pretty easy right? Want more soup? Try:

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–