Sweet Potato Home Fries

This take on the classic breakfast side is colorful, deliciously sweet, and packs a nutritional punch.

Sweet Potato Home Fries
Credit:

Jennifer Causey

Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4 to 6
Yield:
Makes 4 cups

Our sweet potato home fries are a nutritious, extra flavorful take on the classic breakfast side. The bright orange spuds replace the more usual russet or Yukon potatoes, but you'll still find the typical onion and bell pepper here, plus some jalapeño and smoked paprika for a subtle, smoky kick. Roasting the chopped sweet potatoes in the oven cuts down on hands-on cooking time (you'll add them to the skillet with the remaining ingredients at the very end). Serve these tasty home fries with your favorite eggs for a delicious, vibrant start to the day—ketchup optional.

All About Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are technically a type of root vegetable as they grow from the storage root of the plant and are members of the morning glory family. They're often referred to as yams, and even though they share an elongated shape and can be similarly boiled or roasted, they are not the same as yams. Yams are less sweet and much starchier than their orange-hued lookalikes.

Sweet potatoes are incredibly nutritious, with just one potato containing 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin A and 20 percent of your daily value of vitamin C. They're high in dietary fiber, making you feel fuller for longer.

Equipment Needed for Sweet-Potato Home Fries

Cutting board: A sturdy cutting board will make prepping the sweet potatoes, onions, and peppers easier and safer. To keep it steady while you work, dampen a kitchen towel or a couple of paper towels, set it on your counter, and place the cutting board on top.

Chef's knife: Use a sharp chef's knife to cut the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces and prep the other vegetables. Using a sharp knife is much safer than a dull one, which can slip as you're using it, especially when cutting extremely firm items like sweet potatoes.

Baking sheet: You'll need a rimmed baking sheet to roast the sweet potatoes. We don't recommend using a cookie sheet here if you can avoid it; the rimmed edges of a baking sheet will help keep the sweet potatoes contained, especially when it's time to flip them halfway through roasting.

Large skillet: A large skillet is used to cook the onions and peppers in step 3. You can use a non-stick, stainless steel, or cast-iron skillet with equally good results.

Directions

Sweet Potato Home Fries
Credit:

Jennifer Causey

  1. Preheat oven and toss sweet potatoes with oil:

    Preheat oven to 450°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes with oil and 1/4 teaspoon paprika; season with salt and pepper.

    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Credit:

    Jennifer Causey

  2. Roast:

    Roast, rotating sheet and flipping potatoes halfway through, until browned, about 30 minutes.

    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Credit:

    Jennifer Causey

  3. Meanwhile, cook onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno:

    Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter on medium-high. Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and golden, about 10 minutes.

    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Credit:

    Jennifer Causey

  4. Add sweet potatoes to skillet and serve:

    Add roasted sweet potatoes to skillet with vegetables. Toss with remaining 1/4 teaspoon paprika, then strip the leaves from thyme sprigs into skillet; stir to combine. Check seasoning; serve immediately.

    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Credit:

    Jennifer Causey

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Sweet Potato Fries

This recipe makes about four cups of sweet potatoes, enough for 4 to 6 servings. If you find yourself with leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Reheating

Reheat the home fries in a preheated 350-degree Fahrenheit oven or air-fryer or in a skillet over medium heat with a touch of oil to re-crisp them.

What to Serve With Sweet-Potato Home Fries

These vibrant home fries are delicious with all kinds of favorite breakfast dishes. If you're in the mood for eggs, serve the sweet potato home fries with our easy eggs Benedict, a classic omelet, or these inventive breakfast taquitos. For a sweeter pairing, you can't go wrong with our favorite buttermilk pancakes or these one-bowl waffles. Round out your plate with breakfast sausage patties (they're so much easier to make than you'd expect) or sweet-salty maple-glazed bacon.

5 More Sweet Potato Recipes to Try

Updated by
Esther Reynolds
Headshot of Esther Reynolds
Esther Reynolds is an experienced recipe developer, recipe tester, food editor, and writer with over a decade of experience in the food and media industries.

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