35 Recipes for Sweet Potato Side Dishes

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.

Now Trending

With a rich texture and flavor, sweet potatoes are easy to love! Eating sweet potato side dishes can feel decadent, as though someone snuck dessert onto the dinner table. Our wide-ranging collection of sweet potato recipes celebrates this flexibility.

From hasselback sweet potatoes slathered with shallot butter to mashed sweet potatoes topped with streusel, sweet potato sides are impossible to resist. And that’s not a bad thing! The root vegetables—which range from bright orange to deep purple—are packed with nutrients. Just one serving contains significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B6. The high fiber content is a perk, too.

Read on for a mix of quick and easy sides that come together in minutes, as well as more complex combos that will impress guests at a holiday meal.

1 / 35

Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

These air-fryer sweet potato fries are ready in a snap!
2 / 35

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, Michigan
3 / 35

Sweet Potato Chips

Put down that bag! Making sweet potato chips in the oven is a breeze with simple ingredients and minimal prep.
4 / 35

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, NY
5 / 35

Butternut 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, Indiana
6 / 35

Air-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, Texas
7 / 35

Harissa Sweet Potato Fritters

I had leftover sweet potatoes and had to think up a new way to use them. We love spice, so I flavored these fun fritters with harissa, just enough for flavor but not too spicy. If you want more heat, you can always adjust the spice to please your taste buds. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
8 / 35

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, Texas
9 / 35

Sweet 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 York
10 / 35

Slow-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, Missouri
11 / 35

Air-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.
12 / 35

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, Alberta
13 / 35

Microwave 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 Kitchen
14 / 35

Sweet 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.
15 / 35

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, Massachusetts
16 / 35

Sweet 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, Indiana
17 / 35

Pineapple Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Pineapple, sugar and marshmallows lend a super sweetness to sweet potatoes. I've been making the casserole for years, both for special occasions and casual dinners. —Ruth Leach, Shreveport, Louisiana
18 / 35

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.
19 / 35

Orange Sweet Potatoes

Our show-stopping baked orange sweet potatoes make for one vibrant, crowd-pleasing side dish for the holidays and special events.
20 / 35

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.
21 / 35

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, Ohio
22 / 35

Sweet Potato Casserole

I make this classic sweet potato casserole without marshmallows for Thanksgiving, but I also have been known to serve it with meat loaf and even grilled meat. —Eleanor Sherry, Highland Park, Illinois
23 / 35

Glazed 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!
24 / 35

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 Columbia
25 / 35

Gouda 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, Louisiana
26 / 35

Eggnog 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, Missouri
27 / 35

Skillet 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, Illinois
28 / 35

Maple-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 York
29 / 35

Creamy 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, Florida
30 / 35

Beet and Sweet Potato Fries

Instead of offering traditional french fries, try these oven-baked root vegetables as a flavorful side dish. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
31 / 35

Sweet Potato Crisp

My not-too-sweet potato crisp features a wonderful buttery crumb topping. This is a welcome change from candied sweet potatoes.—Kathy Hamsher, Moon Township, Pennsylvania
32 / 35

Baked 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.
33 / 35

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, Alberta
34 / 35

Hasselback 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.
35 / 35

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, Nebraska

Sweet 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.