There are countless ways to cook sweet potatoes—bake, roast, mash, fry. These sweet potato sides are so good, you may want to skip the main dish.
35 Recipes for Sweet Potato Side Dishes
Roasted Honey Sweet Potatoes
Cinnamon and honey bring out the natural earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes in this simple, elegant side dish. —Laura Mifsud, Northville, MichiganSweet Potato Chips
Put down that bag! Making sweet potato chips in the oven is a breeze with simple ingredients and minimal prep.Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
This side always takes my guests by surprise because of the smoky, creamy flavor. No doubt you'll get major kudos when you place these potatoes on your table. —Cynthia Boberskyj Rochester, NYButternut Squash Jumble
I took this to a Thanksgiving potluck one year when I couldn't go home for the holiday. It was a huge hit. I like it because it's something different without being too nontraditional. It's also good at room temperature, so it's one less thing to worry about when you're trying to time serving everything. I like Gorgonzola for this, but any blue cheese would work. If you can find the precrumbled cheese, even better. —Kara Brocious, Indianapolis, IndianaAir-Fryer Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These stuffed sweet potatoes are the perfect holiday side dish. Try preparing them ahead of time in the morning and then bake just before serving. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasSweet Potato Fritters
These sweet potato fritters are a delicious balance of sweet, savory and salty. They’re a great way to use up leftovers.Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes
These rosemary sweet potatoes are simply one of the best recipes we've ever made. Roasting them brings out all of the wonderful sweetness! —Kristin Stone, Little Elm, TexasSweet Potato Pone
Sweet potatoes are among my favorite vegetables, and this sweet potato pone is my absolute favorite way to prepare them. Not only is it an eagerly anticipated side dish for Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends each year, but also I make it to dress up ordinary meals. You can almost serve it as a dessert! —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New YorkSlow-Cooker Tzimmes
This slow-cooker tzimmes is a sweet Jewish dish consisting of a variety of fruits and vegetables, and it may or may not include meat. Traditionally (as it is here), it’s tossed with honey and cinnamon and cooked slowly over low heat to meld the flavors. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, MissouriAir-Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Looking for a classic sweet potato air-fryer recipe? Look no further than these honey-infused sweet potato cubes that you can pair with nearly any protein.Maple-Gingerroot Vegetables
My family loves this recipe because it brings out the lovely flavors of the vegetables. Even my children enjoy it—they love the drizzle of maple syrup! It's a tasty way to introduce kids to turnips, rutabaga and parsnips, too. —Kelli Ritz, Innisfail, AlbertaMicrowave Sweet Potatoes with Cream Cheese Topping
Use a little microwave magic to turn sweet potatoes into a speedy and special side dish for hectic holiday feasts. Brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice bring some fun flavor to these microwave sweet potatoes with a cream cheese topping. —Taste of Home Test KitchenSweet Potato Casserole
Bring back memories of Thanksgivings past with this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows. The classic fall spices give it an almost dessert-like quality.Sweet Potato Cranberry Bake
In October, my husband helps harvest cranberries at a friend's bogs, so I have access to the very freshest ingredients. Their bold autumn flavor pairs up perfectly with sweet potatoes to make a seasonal side dish my family looks forward to. —Jill Doyle, Kingston, MassachusettsSweet Potato Pudding
My grandmother always served this sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving. The puffy marshmallow topping gives the dish a festive look, and spices enhance the sweet potato flavor. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, IndianaSweet Potato and Pineapple Casserole
Tangy pineapple is an unexpected match for velvety mashed sweet potato in this sweet potato and pineapple casserole. Toasted marshmallows on top add even more sweetness to this indulgent baked dish.Candied Yams
No holiday table is complete without candied yams. With lots of butter and brown sugar, the sweet potato dish is perfect for family gatherings.Orange Sweet Potatoes
Our show-stopping baked orange sweet potatoes make for one vibrant, crowd-pleasing side dish for the holidays and special events.Sweet Potatoes au Gratin
Sweet Potato Gratin is a rich and comforting side dish that beautifully balances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with a creamy, savory sauce. Its velvety texture and aromatic flavors make it a standout addition to any meal, ensuring every bite is a delightful experience.Sweet Potato Orange Cups
Serve this refreshingly sweet side dish to your guests in separate cups you craft…from oranges! All you have to do is cut oranges in half, scoop out the fruit and fill the peel with the sweet potato mixture. It's a hit among our family and friends. —Melonie Bowers, Sugarcreek, OhioSweet Potato Casserole
I make this classic every Thanksgiving, but I also have been known to serve it with meat loaf and even grilled meat. —Eleanor Sherry, Highland Park, IllinoisGlazed Sweet Potatoes
Glazed sweet potatoes shouldn't be relegated to the holidays. Baked with a sweet, cinnamon-scented glaze, they're perfect for any weeknight meal!Duo Tater Bake
I made this creamy and comforting potato dish for Thanksgiving and it was a winner with my family. They said to be sure to include it at every holiday dinner. It's a keeper! —Joan McCulloch, Abbotsford, British ColumbiaGouda Mixed Potato Mash
Everything's better with cheese, right? This cheesy two-potato mash is no exception. If you cube the cheese, you’ll discover delicious pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish. —Shelby Goddard, Baton Rouge, LouisianaEggnog Sweet Potato Bake
I love eggnog so I am always looking for new ways to use it. When I added it to mashed sweet potatoes, I knew I had a winner. You can make this the night before and refrigerate it unbaked; the next day, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. —Katie Wollgast, Troy, MissouriSkillet Potato Medley
The pretty potatoes I had just harvested from my garden inspired me to mix them up for dinner. The results: a wonderful side dish. —Lori Merrick, Danvers, IllinoisMaple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes
Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New YorkCreamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
I took my mother’s delicious sweet potato casserole and gave it a new twist by adding the tempting taste of orange—a fruit very abundant in our state. The flavors are wonderful together and make this dish a family favorite. —Norma Poole, Auburndale, FloridaBeet and Sweet Potato Fries
Instead of offering traditional french fries, try these oven-baked root vegetables as a flavorful side dish. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, MichiganBaked Sweet Potato Fries
When you want a super-simple, crispy, flavorful side dish, turn to this baked sweet potato fries recipe. It takes only a little seasoning to create an oven-baked fry dish that will become one of your favorite ways to eat sweet potatoes.Sweet Potato Carrot Crisp
Sweet potatoes take a different twist in this whipped side dish that pairs them with carrots. Subtly sweet, it has just a hint of garlic, while the nut and crumb topping adds a fun crunch to any holiday meal. —Diane Molberg, Calgary, AlbertaHasselback Sweet Potatoes
Hasselback sweet potatoes may look like a fancy restaurant dish, but they're super easy to prepare. Buttery and naturally sweet, this must-try side is beloved by everyone at the table—even the pickiest eaters.Two-Tone Baked Potatoes
One potato...two potato...this recipe is doubly wonderful as far as spud lovers are concerned. I have a reputation at home and at work for trying out new recipes. Everyone is glad I took a chance on this one. -Sherree Stahn, Central City, NebraskaSweet Potato Side Dishes FAQ
What’s an easy sweet potato side dish?
It doesn’t get much easier than these mashed sweet potatoes. With incredible flavor from a hint of orange juice, fall spices and maple syrup, your guests will never guess how simple it was to make.
Are bigger or smaller sweet potatoes better?
It depends on what you’re doing. If you’re making a dish in which the ‘taters are cooked whole, such as our microwaved sweet potatoes, use smaller sweet potatoes so they cook evenly. If you’re cutting up sweet potatoes to roast or make hash, it makes sense to use the big guys.
Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?
Nope, yams and sweet potatoes are different. Yams are starchy tubers with rough skin that come in a variety of different colors. Sweet potatoes are much sweeter, with softer skin and creamier flesh. They are not interchangeable in recipes, though we do sometimes refer to sweet potatoes as yams.