5 QUICK & HEALTHY SWEET POTATO RECIPES

Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle or bulk up, including healthy sweet potato recipes in your diet plan will help you reach your fitness goals.

Sweet potatoes are a nutritionally-dense super food considered healthier than the regular potato due to their fibrous, fat-free content and slow absorption properties. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, carotenoids, B vitamins, potassium and even iron.

Here are 5 quick and healthy sweet potato recipes.

1. Sweet Potato Mash

Love mashed potato but want a healthier option? An easy side dish with any meal.

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 stick cinnamon
1/2 cup skim milk

Directions:  Steam sweet potato with cinnamon until tender. Discard cinnamon and mash the sweet potatoes with milk until smooth.


2. Chunky Sweet Potato Salad

A healthy alternative to mayonnaise-based potato salads. A quick and easy summer BBQ recipe.

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

Dressing:
Half a red onion, finely chopped
4 spring onions, finely sliced
Small bunch chopped chives
2 tbsp olive oil
5 tbsp sherry vinegar
2 tbsp honey

Directions: Cook sweet potato in boiling water for 12 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Place on a tray in a single layer to cool. When cool, cut into 2cm pieces. Place in a large serving bowl and set aside. Mix together dressing ingredients. Pour over sweet potato. Toss to combine.


3. Sweet Potato Chips

Crunchy chips that can be enjoyed straight out of the oven.

Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and very thinly sliced
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse sea salt

Directions: Preheat the oven to 200 deg. Place sweet potato on a baking tray, toss with oil and season with sea salt. Place in oven. Flip chips halfway and cook until crisp and golden for 20 to 25 mins.


4. Sweet Potato Wedges

Pub-style wedges that are a healthier, lower GI alternative to potato wedges.

Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes cut into wedges
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp thyme leaves
Sea salt and ground black pepper

Directions: Preheat the oven to 200 deg. Toss the wedges with the oil and thyme then season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.


5. Sweet potato dip

A perfect dip or spread that is quick and easy to make.

Ingredients:
1 cup mashed or baked sweet potatoes
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 cup greek-style yoghurt
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: Combine sweet potatoes, yoghurt, and curry powder in a food processor. Mix all ingredients until smooth, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl. Serve with flatbread, crackers or vegetables.