Savory Baked Sweet Potatoes

Featured in: Quick Comfort Meals

This dish features tender sweet potatoes baked until soft and filled with a richly seasoned blend of black and kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and aromatic spices including chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. The filling is simmered to develop deep flavors before being spooned into the split sweet potatoes. Optional toppings like cheddar, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, and green onions add freshness and creaminess. It's a hearty, wholesome meal ideal for easy weeknight dinners and suitable for vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:39:00 GMT
Steaming, baked Savory Baked Sweet Potato Chili Boats filled with colorful bean chili, ready to eat. Save
Steaming, baked Savory Baked Sweet Potato Chili Boats filled with colorful bean chili, ready to eat. | freshyforks.com

Hearty sweet potatoes are baked until tender, then filled with a robust, bean-packed chili for a flavorful, wholesome weeknight meal that requires minimal hands-on prep.

This is a go-to weeknight dinner in my house; the kids love scooping out the chili and customizing with toppings.

Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes: 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Chili Filling: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small yellow onion finely diced, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 red bell pepper diced, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, 1 (15 oz/425 g) can black beans drained and rinsed, 1 (15 oz/425 g) can kidney beans drained and rinsed, 1 (14 oz/400 g) can diced tomatoes, ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable broth, salt and black pepper to taste
  • Toppings (optional): ¼ cup shredded cheddar or vegan cheese, ¼ cup sour cream or plant-based alternative, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 1 avocado diced, sliced green onions

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40–50 minutes or until very tender.
Step 3:
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
Step 4:
Stir in garlic and bell pepper; cook another 3 minutes.
Step 5:
Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne; stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 6:
Add beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 7:
Once sweet potatoes are cooked, let cool slightly. Slice open lengthwise and gently fluff flesh with a fork.
Step 8:
Spoon the chili filling generously into each sweet potato. Top with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, or green onions as desired.
Step 9:
Serve hot, with extra toppings on the side.
Golden-baked sweet potatoes overflow with savory chili in these delicious, hearty Chili Boats. Save
Golden-baked sweet potatoes overflow with savory chili in these delicious, hearty Chili Boats. | freshyforks.com

This recipe always brings everyone to the table; sharing it has become a treasured family tradition.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, parchment paper, large skillet, knife and cutting board, spoon

Allergen Information

Contains dairy if using cheese or sour cream substitute with vegan options if needed. Dish is naturally gluten-free always check labels on canned goods and toppings for possible cross-contamination.

Nutritional Information

Calories 420 Total Fat 10 g Carbohydrates 72 g Protein 13 g per serving

A close-up of a tender Savory Baked Sweet Potato Chili Boat, overflowing with a bean-filled chili. Save
A close-up of a tender Savory Baked Sweet Potato Chili Boat, overflowing with a bean-filled chili. | freshyforks.com

Your savory baked sweet potato chili boats are ready to enjoy with endless topping possibilities. Perfect for a quick yet satisfying dinner.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How can I make this dish spicier?

Add chipotle in adobo or extra cayenne pepper to the bean filling for a smokier heat.

Can I substitute the beans with meat?

Yes, ground meat or plant-based crumbles can be used in place of beans for a different texture and flavor.

What are some good toppings for these stuffed potatoes?

Try shredded cheese or vegan cheese, sour cream or a plant-based alternative, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and sliced green onions.

How do I ensure the sweet potatoes bake evenly?

Pierce sweet potatoes multiple times with a fork and bake at 400°F until very tender, about 40–50 minutes.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, naturally gluten-free, but verify canned ingredients and toppings for possible cross-contamination.

Savory Baked Sweet Potatoes

Tender baked sweet potatoes stuffed with a spiced bean and vegetable filling, topped with fresh garnishes.

Prep time
15 minutes
Time to cook
45 minutes
Time required
60 minutes
Recipe by Freshyforks Lena Brooks


Skill level Easy

Cuisine American

Portions 4 Number of servings

Diet Details Meatless, No gluten

What You'll Need

Sweet Potatoes

01 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
02 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Chili Filling

01 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
08 ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
10 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
11 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
12 ½ cup vegetable broth
13 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Toppings (optional)

01 ¼ cup shredded cheddar or vegan cheese
02 ¼ cup sour cream or plant-based alternative
03 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
04 1 avocado, diced
05 Sliced green onions

Directions

Step 01

Prepare oven and sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork, rub with olive oil, and sprinkle with kosher salt. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40 to 50 minutes until very tender.

Step 02

Sauté aromatics: While sweet potatoes bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for approximately 3 minutes until softened.

Step 03

Cook garlic and bell pepper: Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper to the skillet and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 04

Incorporate spices: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 05

Simmer chili filling: Add drained black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes with juices, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 06

Prepare baked sweet potatoes: Once sweet potatoes are tender, remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Slice each potato lengthwise and gently fluff the interior with a fork.

Step 07

Assemble chili boats: Spoon the chili mixture generously into each sweet potato’s cavity. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, and green onions as desired.

Step 08

Serve: Serve warm with additional toppings on the side if preferred.

Tools Needed

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Large skillet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Spoon

Allergy info

Review ingredients for allergens. Reach out to medical experts if you're not sure.
  • Contains dairy if cheese or sour cream are used; use vegan alternatives to avoid dairy allergen. Naturally gluten-free, but verify canned goods and toppings to prevent cross-contamination.

Nutritional breakdown (each serving)

This nutritional data guides only—don't treat as medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 420
  • Lipids: 10 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 72 grams
  • Proteins: 13 grams