With fresh herbs and melty fontina cheese flavors, these Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes are unbelievable – and can be enjoyed as a meal, a snack or the perfect side dish.
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So, traditionally, sweet potatoes remind me of Thanksgiving with all of my family. I remember growing up when my cousins and I would help out in the kitchen we would completely COVER the sweet potatoes in marshmallows. Anyone else do that? They were candied sweet potatoes with brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and all the marshmallows. That was really all I knew of these orange spuds until I got a bit older.
Then, for years I worked at restaurants in Manhattan in the late 2010s when Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries became a thing. They were the healthy alternative to french fries. You would automatically be considered health conscious if you substituted for sweet fries.
Anyway! I have grown from those being the only two sweet potato options and recently went on a bit of a sweet potato kick. I was hooked after recognizing the multiple health benefits and the fact that my family enjoys almost anything sweet potato.
What Makes These Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes So Good?
After I recently exhausted all of my sweet potato options I needed something different. Enter crave-worthy Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with fresh thyme from my garden, savory butter (of course), grated fontina cheese, and shallots. You will love them because they elevate any meal with their enticing flavor combination and can be a meal in themselves. While they take a bit of time to cook, they are ready in just a few quick steps and effort from you, the chef.
Are Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
Sweet potatoes have tons of health benefits. They are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, B5, B6, and C. They also contain iron, potassium, and a great amount of fiber. While cheese and butter are more like comfort food than health food, they add a dose of calcium to the dish too. Also, fresh thyme is an antioxidant and contains essential vitamins and minerals (and it smells great)! This recipe is vegetarian-friendly, nut-free, gluten-free, and can be modified to be Whole30 compliant.
The Benefits of Fresh Herbs
In addition to the heavenly aroma and adding depth to any meal, fresh herbs contain endless health benefits. Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes by the earliest civilizations and are still used as provisions for health worldwide. For example, thyme which we are using today, can improve your immunity and mood, promote clear skin, prevent certain infections, and may lower blood pressure. Although dried herbs do lose some of their potency in the dehydration process, no worries, they offer numerous health benefits too.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (about 8 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 shallots, minced (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 2 ounces fontina cheese, grated (about 3/4 cup)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Bake
Cook sweet potatoes until tender.
Sauté
Prepare shallot and thyme mixture.
Stuff & Bake
Fill shells, and bake until golden.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
To store these Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat place potatoes in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through. If making in advance, prepare one day ahead.
To make them vegan, you will replace the butter with olive oil or any plant-based oil, use vegan cheese, and for the egg, I would use a flax egg.
While shallots are a bit more mild than onions, you can use them as a substitute in a pinch. Be sure that the onions are fully cooked through, otherwise you will have a raw, over-powering onion taste. Additionally, you can just add a bit more garlic in place of the shallots.
Serving Suggestions
As I mentioned these guys are nutritious and delicious enough to be a meal, but here are some ideas that go perfectly with your Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes.
Start with a refreshing, colorful salad like this Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad, Delicious Beet Salad, or this easy Green Goddess Salad. You could also do a crispy Caeser Salad, topped with avocado or Baked Tofu to keep the meal vegetarian or add a flavorful protein like Sauteed Shrimp.
To pair your Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with something equally as savory and delicious, treat yourself (and whoever is coming for dinner) to my all-time fave mouth-watering Braised Beef Short Ribs. They literally just fall off the bone and make your whole house smell heavenly!
So, whether you choose to enjoy these flavorful-filled spuds alone or with one of my many recommendations, I know you will love it! Enjoy!
Savory Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 medium sweet potatoes about 8 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 shallots minced (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 2 ounces fontina cheese grated (about 3/4 cup)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish optional
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Pierce the sweet potatoes a few times with a fork and bake until tender, about 50 minutes. Let cool.
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In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté shallots and thyme until softened, then remove from heat.
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Halve the cooled sweet potatoes lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
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Combine the sweet potato flesh, sautéed shallot mixture, melted butter, egg, grated cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until well combined.
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Refill the sweet potato shells with the mixture, top with fresh thyme, and bake on a sheet pan for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Nutrition
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