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Delicious Vegan Sweet Potato Recipes
Do you ever wonder what you could make with a sweet potato that tastes delicious and is also vegan? Sweet potatoes are such a wonderful food because they are sweet, healthy, and can be cooked in so many fun ways! They are like little orange treasures hidden in the dirt. Today, I will share some wonderful recipes using sweet potatoes that are so tasty, even kids will love them. Let’s discover what makes sweet potatoes so special and how we can use them to make yummy vegan dishes!
Why Sweet Potatoes Are Amazing
Before we jump into cooking, let’s talk about why sweet potatoes are so special. Sweet potatoes are a type of root vegetable. This means they grow underground. They have a beautiful orange color inside and are super nutritious. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, such as A, C, and B6, and they have fiber, which helps keep our tummies happy. They are a brilliant choice to add to our meals, especially because they are naturally sweet, meaning we don’t need to add extra sugar.
The Sweet Potato Vs. The Regular Potato
You might wonder, “What’s the difference between a sweet potato and a regular potato?” Well, sweet potatoes are indeed sweeter and have a softer texture. They aren’t the same as the potatoes we use for French fries or mashed potatoes. Sweet potatoes have more nutrients and are often orange inside, while regular potatoes can be white or yellow. So, even though they share part of their name, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are quite different.
Sweet Potato Preparation Basics
Let’s start with learning how to prepare sweet potatoes for cooking. Preparing them can be fun and easy, just like playing with playdough.
Choosing the Right Sweet Potato
When you visit the store, look for sweet potatoes that don’t have any soft or dark spots. They should feel firm and be a nice, even size.
Washing and Peeling
Once you get your sweet potatoes home, it’s important to wash them. They have been underground, so they might be a bit dirty. Use water to wash any dirt off. You can peel them with a potato peeler, or if you like, you can keep the skin on because it’s full of good nutrients.
Cutting Sweet Potatoes
After peeling, you might need to cut your sweet potato, depending on the recipe. You can slice them into thin disks, cut them into cubes, or even make them into long sticks like fries. Be careful and go slow—using a knife is an important skill to learn.
Tasty Vegan Sweet Potato Recipes
Now that we know how to prepare our sweet potatoes let’s explore some delicious recipes that even a kid can help with. These recipes are all vegan, which means they only include plant-based ingredients. No animal products like meat, butter, or milk.
Simple Sweet Potato Fries
We can make sweet potato fries that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are just like the fries you know and love but healthier!
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cut the sweet potatoes into sticks.
- In a bowl, mix the cut sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and paprika.
- Spread them out on a baking sheet, not too close together.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until they are crispy.
- Let them cool before tasting!
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Tacos are fun because you can hold them in your hand and add all the toppings you like. Sweet potato and black beans make a perfect mix for a vegan taco filling that’s both yummy and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Corn tortillas
- Avocado slices (optional)
- Salsa (optional)
Directions
- In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook until soft for about 15 minutes.
- Add the black beans, cumin, and chili powder, stirring to mix everything well.
- Cook everything together for another 5 minutes.
- Spoon the filling into warm corn tortillas.
- Add avocado slices and salsa if you like.
Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
On a chilly day, nothing beats a warm bowl of creamy soup. This sweet potato soup is velvety smooth and incredibly comforting.
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can coconut milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
- In a big pot, cook the onion and garlic in a little water until soft.
- Add the sweet potatoes and vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil, then let it simmer until the potatoes are soft, around 20 minutes.
- Blend the soup until smooth using a blender. Be careful, it’s hot!
- Stir in the coconut milk, salt, and pepper.
- Garnish with parsley if you wish.
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Pancakes aren’t just for breakfast. They can be eaten any time of the day, especially when they are made with sweet potatoes!
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato, cooked and mashed
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup almond milk
- Maple syrup for serving
Directions
- In a bowl, mix the mashed sweet potato and almond milk until smooth.
- Add oat flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Stir everything until you have a batter.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Pour small amounts of the batter for each pancake.
- Cook until you see bubbles, then flip and cook the other side.
- Serve with maple syrup on top!
Baked Sweet Potato with Spicy Chickpeas
Do you like dishes that have a little kick of spice? Baked sweet potatoes with spicy chickpeas might be just what you’re looking for.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Poke holes in the sweet potatoes using a fork and bake them for about 45 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix chickpeas, olive oil, paprika, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice.
- Spread chickpeas on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
- Split the baked sweet potatoes open and fill them with the spicy chickpeas.
- Garnish with parsley if you like.
Tips for Cooking with Sweet Potatoes
Here are some handy tips to make your sweet potato cooking even better!
Keep It Simple
Sweet potatoes have a natural sweetness that is delicious on its own. Sometimes, a sprinkle of salt and a little olive oil are all you need to bring out their flavor.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Sweet potatoes can be used in so many ways. Try adding them to a vegetable stew, or even use them in a salad. They pair well with lots of different spices and herbs.
Baking Sweet Potatoes
Baking brings out their sweetness because the heat causes their natural sugars to caramelize. Simply wash them, poke a few holes with a fork, and bake them in their skin.
Make Your Own Sweet Potato Chips
If you want a crunchy snack, try making sweet potato chips. Just slice them thin, lay them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and bake until crispy!
Fun Facts About Sweet Potatoes
Would you like to hear some fun things about sweet potatoes?
Sweet or Yams?
In some places, people call sweet potatoes “yams,” but they are really not the same. Yams are usually from Africa or Asia and have a different taste and texture.
Ancient & Nutritious
Sweet potatoes have been grown for thousands of years, and they are still loved today for their taste and nutrition. People all around the world eat sweet potatoes for these reasons.
Colors of the Rainbow
Even though we usually see sweet potatoes as orange, they can come in other colors like purple and white. These different colors can make your plate look very exciting!
Getting Kids Involved
Cooking can be a great activity for kids. Getting them involved in making these fun recipes helps them learn about food and might even make them excited to eat healthier.
Safe Cutting
Kids can learn to help with safe, plastic knives or under supervision while cutting softer fruits and vegetables. It’s important to teach how to handle a knife with care.
Mixing and Measuring
Kids can have loads of fun measuring ingredients and mixing everything together. It’s like conducting tasty science experiments in the kitchen!
Tasting Adventures
Encourage kids to taste the food while you’re cooking. They might love finding out how different spices can change the flavor of a dish.
Spreading Sweet Potato Love
Now that we’ve cooked some delightful dishes, think about sharing them with friends or family. Hosting a sweet potato tasting party can be a great way to show others how scrumptious vegan meals can be made with this humble root.
Talking About Nutrition
Teaching others about the wonderful benefits of sweet potatoes can be a great conversation. It’s not just tasty but also healthy, which is super important.
Overcoming Picky Eaters
Sometimes friends or family might say they don’t like sweet potatoes. But once they taste how they can be transformed into fries, pancakes, or tacos, their opinions might change.
Summary: A Sweet Journey
What a sweet journey we’ve had! From learning how special sweet potatoes are to preparing them and making scrumptious vegan recipes, sweet potatoes have shown us everything they can do. They bring a wonderful sweetness to our meals while keeping it healthy and exciting. So the next time you see a sweet potato, imagine all the delicious dishes you could make and feel proud of creating meals that are healthy and flavorful.
Remember
Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but also a versatile ingredient that should definitely have a spot in our kitchens. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking with these delightful recipes and enjoy the sweet, healthy taste of sweet potatoes every day!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
