Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Sugar and spice and everything nice…that’s what this Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers recipe is made of! An easy side dish, perfect for fall.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. We receive a commission if purchases are made through our links to retailers.Click here to read our full disclosure policy.

When I wasa new mom and wife,sweet potatoes were cooked in my kitchen only one time per year: Thanksgiving. And, it was almost alwayscanned sweet potatoes (or yams). Let’s just say thatI was oddly intimated by fresh sweet potatoes.

When I made sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, it was always a “classic” sweet potato casserole, topped with marshmallows. My husband and I would enjoy it. But the kids? It wasn’t their thing. There was always a ton of leftovers, and I figured that my kids just didn’t like sweet potatoes. But, did that stop me? Nope. I continued to make them most years, citing that it wasa tradition.

But, over the last several years, I learned that my kids actually DO like sweet potatoes. They just didn’t like MYsweet potato casserole. I figured this out byoccasionally working them into other meals over the years. They love sweet potato fries (even opting for them over regular fries at restaurants) and one of their favoritefall dinnershas been our DIY Baked Sweet Potato Bar.

They also enjoy my Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Quinoa and Kale (although one of the kids prefers it without the blue cheese). And I’ve even started serving a much better sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving that they LOVE and insist that I have to make more of it this year. And, yeah, it has no marshmallows on top.

But, when it comes to all the ways I’ve cooked with sweet potatoes, this Spiced Sweet Potato Skewers recipeis their winner.

Ingredients Needed for Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers:

Cooking Equipment needed for Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers:

Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe (3)

Of course, what’s not to like? It includesbacon and sugar. The kids love it, I love it, and David goes CRAZY for them. They’re almost too good, so enjoy in moderation.

To get started on your Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers recipe, you’ll first peel andcut sweet potatoes into about 1 1/2″ chunks. Place them in a bowland toss witholive oil.

In a small bowl, you’ll combine brown and white sugar, as well as several spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.

With metal skewers, alternate achunk of sweet potatoand 1/4th of a slice of baconthat has been folded in half (or smaller if necessary). Don’t pack your sweet potato and bacon together tightly. Make sure to leave a tiny bit of room between each bacon slice and potato chuck to allow even cooking. Repeat the pattern until you have about 7 pieces of sweet potato and 6 pieces of bacon on each skewer.

Due to how firm sweet potatoes are, I do not recommend using bamboo skewers. I recommend usinggood, but basic, metal skewers.

Note: if you are wanting a vegetarian version, you can leave the bacon off. You can also use less bacon – just place 2-3 sweet potato chunks between 1 piece of bacon.

Roll each skewer in the spiced sugar mixture. You may want to presssome of the spiced sugar onto the potatoes and bacon. Tap your skewer gently to remove any excess.

Place each skewer on top of oven-safe cooling racks that are placed on top of arimmedbaking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and bacon is fully cooked. Serve and enjoy!

Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe

Print

Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe (9)

Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Brandie Valenzuela
Print Recipe

Description

Sugar and spice and everything nice…that’s what this Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers recipe is made of! An easy side dish, perfect for fall.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1 1/2″ chunks)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound sliced bacon
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Place oven-safe cooking racks on top of a large rimmed baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Place cut sweet potatoes in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine. Set aside.
  3. Without separating bacon slices into individual pieces, cut entire slab of bacon slices into fourths (when laying horizontally in front of you). This is easiest by cutting slab in half and then cutting each of those portions in half again.
  4. In a small bowl, combine sugars and spices. Pour spiced sugar mixture onto a large, rimmed baking sheet.
  5. With metal skewer, slide on a chunk of sweet potato, then 1 small piece of bacon (which is 1/4th of a bacon slice) that has been folded in half (or smaller if necessary). Make sure to leave a tiny bit of room between each bacon slice and potato chuck to allow even cooking (don’t push them tightly together). Repeat pattern until you have about 7 pieces of sweet potato and 6 pieces of bacon on each skewer.
  6. Roll each skewer in the spiced sugar mixture. You may want to use your hand to hold some of the spiced sugar to press more of it onto the potatoes and bacon. Tap your skewer gently to remove any excess spiced sugar. Place skewer on top of the the cooling racks on your prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining skewers. Discard any remaining spiced sugar.
  7. Bake skewers for about 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and bacon is fully cooked.

Notes

Note: if you are wanting a vegetarian version, you can leave the bacon off. You can also use less bacon – just place 2-3 sweet potato chunks between 1 piece of bacon.

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Recipe Card powered bySpiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe (10)

Want even more potato side dishes?

My Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe ismy contribution to the November#12Bloggers Event that happens on the 12th of every month. It includes myself and 11 blogging friends and we all create recipes around a common theme — all of the recipes have 12 ingredients or less too. This months theme is Potato Side DishRecipes— here are the links to allof the other great potato side dishes:

Spiced Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What enhances flavor of sweet potato? ›

14 Ways To Add More Flavor To Sweet Potatoes
  • Slather with cinnamon butter. Siims/Getty Images. ...
  • Drizzle with tahini. ...
  • Roast with savory chili sauce. ...
  • Sprinkle on some good ol' salt and pepper. ...
  • Pan fry with ginger and orange. ...
  • Rub with garlic and rosemary. ...
  • Dip in honey mustard. ...
  • Sweeten with brown sugar and pecans.
Feb 17, 2023

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

What is the sticky liquid from sweet potato? ›

The ooze is actually referred to as "sap." It is made up of sugar and starch combined with the moisture found in the vegetable, and it escapes out of the damage made from the knife. The sap really equals the sweetness. If it's pouring out of your potato, that means it's a sweet and delicious vegetable.

What flavors pair with sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes pair well with apple, peach, and orange juice, and coffee - flavors that have distinctly sweet or bitter notes.

Why is boiling a sweet potato better than baking? ›

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

Do sweet potatoes taste better baked or boiled? ›

Like David Wilcox says, baking the sweet potato produces a deeper flavor. I find that baking them brings out a sweeter flavor as well. But what you need to do is experiment and bake a pie using sweet potatoes that have been prepared both ways. You might find that you like it better when they are boiled.

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

What is a yam vs sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family, while yams belong to the lily family. Yams aren't as sweet as sweet potatoes, and they are starchier and drier. Their texture and flavor are more similar to potatoes or yuca.

What are the black dots on my sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet potatoes in storage are commonly infected with the bread mold fungus, which causes a watery soft rot of part or all of the tuber. The fungus may be seen as a fluffy, white growth, with black dots supported on threads.

Can dogs eat sweet potato? ›

Sweet potato is a safe, healthy, and natural treat for dogs, offering a range of health benefits (and a sweet flavor they'll likely love). For example, sweet potatoes support a healthy digestive system thanks to their high dietary fiber content. They're also low in fat and contain essential vitamins like B6, C, and A.

Can you eat sweet potato raw? ›

Sweet-tasting tuberous roots of sweet potato are well-rounded nutritional powerhouses with a great deal of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants [15]. Therefore, eating raw sweet potato can effectively contribute to weight loss. However, selecting a raw sweet potato with a good flavor can be challenging.

Is it safe to eat sweet potatoes with black spots? ›

Dark spots on sweet potatoes

The injury is superficial, however, and does not affect eating quality. Prevent the problem by buying disease-free slips for planting. Scurf can persist for several years in garden soils that receive yearly manure applications.

Can dogs eat white sweet potatoes? ›

Yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes. In fact, sweet potatoes are often found as an ingredient in many high-quality dog foods because they are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins (like A, B6, and C), and minerals like iron, calcium, and selenium.

Why does my sweet potato taste bland? ›

So if you want a sweet, sweet potato, you have to cook it until it reaches 135–170°F (57–77°C). And you want to keep sweet potatoes in that range for as long as possible. That will maximize how sweet the potatoes taste.

What is a value addition to sweet potatoes? ›

Orange-fleshed sweet potato can be processed into flour to increase its economic value and used in a wide variety of food, such as cake.

What are the tips and tricks of sweet potatoes? ›

Selection and storage tips: Choose firm, small- to medium-sized potatoes with smooth skin. Avoid cracks, soft spots and blemishes. Choose sweet potatoes with a bright, uniform color. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place for use within two to three weeks or at room temperature for up to a week.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 5858

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.