Sweet potatoes get a lot of love in autumn, but they deserve a place in your kitchen all year round. They’re cheap, healthy, and far more versatile than most people think. Forget the usual mash or roasties — here are six unexpected ways to make them shine.

1. Sweet Potato Toast

Ditch the bread for a change. Slice a sweet potato lengthways into thin slabs (about half a centimetre thick). Pop them in the toaster or under the grill until they’re soft inside and slightly crisp outside. Then top them like toast — smashed avocado, hummus, or even peanut butter and banana. It’s naturally gluten-free, colourful, and surprisingly filling.

Tip: if you’re using a toaster, run them through twice for that perfect balance between soft and crisp.

2. Creamy Sweet Potato Pasta Sauce

This one’s a game-changer. Boil chunks of sweet potato until soft, then blend with garlic, a splash of olive oil, and a bit of milk or oat milk. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of chilli flakes. You’ll get a silky, golden sauce that beats jarred Alfredo any day.

Pour it over pasta, top with parmesan (or nutritional yeast if you’re vegan), and you’ve got comfort food without the guilt. Bonus: it sneaks in a load of vitamins and fibre without anyone noticing.

3. Sweet Potato Brownies

Yes, brownies. Stay with me. Mash the cooked sweet potato and mix it into your brownie batter. It makes them fudgy, rich, and less reliant on butter or oil. You can even skip refined sugar if you like — the natural sweetness does half the work.

Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking. You’ll get that sweet-salty magic that makes you go back for seconds.

4. Sweet Potato Pizza Crust

Move over, cauliflower crust. This one actually tastes good. Mash roasted sweet potato and mix it with a bit of flour (plain or gluten-free), an egg, and a pinch of salt. Press the dough into a thin round and bake until firm before adding toppings.

It gives a slight sweetness that pairs beautifully with salty cheese or spicy toppings like chilli flakes and pepperoni. Great for anyone cutting back on refined carbs but still craving pizza night.

5. Sweet Potato Smoothie

Not as weird as it sounds, promise. Cooked and cooled sweet potato adds a creamy texture to smoothies. Blend it with banana, cinnamon, and almond milk for a breakfast that tastes like pie but keeps you full for hours.

You can also throw in protein powder or oats for an extra kick. It’s perfect for mornings when you want something quick but not boring.

6. Sweet Potato Bread

This one’s a hidden gem. Sweet potato adds moisture and natural sweetness to homemade bread, making it soft and slightly dense — perfect for toast or sandwiches.

Mash cooked sweet potato and mix it into your usual bread dough (just replace some of the flour and liquid). You’ll end up with a beautiful golden loaf that smells incredible straight out of the oven.

For something sweeter, add a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey. For a savoury twist, mix in herbs or a handful of grated cheese. Either way, it’s comfort food that feels a bit special.

Final Thoughts

Sweet potatoes aren’t just a side dish — they’re a secret weapon. You can toast them, blend them, bake them, or mash them into almost anything. They add natural sweetness, colour, and a bit of comfort to your meals.