Loaded Sweet Potatoes
These amazing loaded sweet potatoes are going to become your new favorite comfort food! Families absolutely love how these turn regular sweet potatoes into something special and exciting. The best part is you get all that delicious flavor in just 30 minutes.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 15 minutes, Additional Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes, Serves: 4 people.
Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Healthy Immunity, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 148 Calories, 8g Fat, 14g Carbs, 6g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sweet Potatoes: You’ll need 2 medium sweet potatoes that weigh about 1½ pounds total. Look for ones that feel firm and have smooth skin – they’ll cook up perfectly fluffy!
Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Half a cup of shredded cheese gives you that amazing melty goodness. I love using extra-sharp because it adds so much flavor to every bite.
Scallions: 3 scallions sliced up will give you that perfect fresh onion taste. You’ll use most of them in the filling and save some for sprinkling on top.
Cooked Bacon: 2 slices chopped up bring that smoky, salty flavor we all crave. You can cook it fresh or use leftover bacon from breakfast!
Salt and Pepper: Just ¼ teaspoon of each to make all those flavors pop. Simple seasonings that make such a big difference.
Reduced-Fat Sour Cream: 4 tablespoons for that cool, creamy finish on top. It balances out all the other flavors perfectly.
How to Make Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F first thing. Prick both sweet potatoes all over with a fork – this helps them cook evenly. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on High for about 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Step 2: Once they’re cool enough to handle, slice each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl, leaving the skins intact. Mix in the cheese, most of the scallions (save 1 tablespoon), half the bacon, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Place those empty potato shells on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide your yummy mixture between all four shells, piling it up nicely. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts and everything gets hot and bubbly.
Step 4: Remove from the oven and top each half with 1 tablespoon of sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining scallions and bacon pieces for that perfect finishing touch!
Easy and Quick Loaded Sweet Potatoes Version
Want to make this even faster? You can totally use pre-cooked bacon from the store! Just crumble up about ¼ cup of bacon bits instead of cooking your own. Also, if you have leftover baked sweet potatoes in the fridge, just reheat them in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and skip the first cooking step entirely.
Serving Ideas
These loaded sweet potatoes make an awesome complete meal all by themselves! They’re also perfect as a side dish with grilled chicken, roast beef, or pork chops. Try serving them with a simple green salad or some steamed broccoli for extra veggies.
Storage
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in airtight containers. Keep the sour cream separate from the potatoes so they don’t get soggy. To reheat, microwave on Medium for 1-2 minutes until heated through, then add fresh sour cream on top.
Substitutions
No bacon? Try chopped ham or even crispy chickpeas for crunch! You can swap the cheddar for any cheese you love – mozzarella, pepper jack, or Swiss all work great. Regular sour cream works just as well as reduced-fat if that’s what you have.
Pro Tips
- Perfect Microwaving: Prick those sweet potatoes really well with a fork – about 8-10 holes each. This prevents them from exploding in your microwave!
- Make-Ahead Magic: Cook your bacon up to 4 days ahead and store it wrapped in the fridge. This saves you time on busy weeknights.
- Extra Flavor: Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the filling mixture for an amazing smoky taste that everyone will love.
- Crispy Tops: Want extra crispy cheese on top? Switch your oven to broil for the last 2 minutes of baking time.
FAQs
What’s the best way to microwave sweet potatoes?
Sure! Cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave first saves you tons of time compared to baking them. Just prick them with a fork in several places so steam can escape while they cook. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and flip them halfway through – about 12 minutes total until they’re tender all the way to the center.
What’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?
You bet this is confusing! You might see sweet potatoes labeled as yams at the grocery store, but real yams aren’t common in the U.S. Sweet potatoes have that lovely sweet flavor we love, while true yams are more starchy and taste like regular potatoes or yuca.
What should I serve with Loaded Sweet Potatoes?
These work great as either a side dish or main course! As a side, they’re perfect with roast chicken, prime rib, or turkey. Want to make them the main event? Pair them with a fresh kale salad, green salad with edamame, or some roasted broccoli with mushrooms.
How should I store and reheat Loaded Sweet Potatoes?
No worries about leftovers! Store the potatoes and sour cream in separate airtight containers in the fridge – they’ll stay good for about 3 days. To reheat, just microwave the potatoes on Medium for 1-2 minutes until they reach the temperature you want, then add fresh sour cream on top.
Let’s Chat!
I’d love to hear how your loaded sweet potatoes turned out! Did you try any fun variations or add your own special touches? Drop a comment below and let me know – I always get excited to hear about your cooking adventures!
