If you are looking for a breakfast adventure that is both comforting and packed with flavor, this Baked Sweet Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheddar, and Egg Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine perfectly roasted sweet potato skins cradling a rich filling of crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a gently baked egg. This combo delivers a delightful blend of sweetness, saltiness, and creaminess that will have you craving breakfast every day of the week. It’s one of those dishes that feels special but is surprisingly simple to make, turning humble ingredients into a show-stopping morning treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making this dish both approachable and irresistible.
- Sweet potatoes: The star of the dish, they provide natural sweetness and a tender base that’s perfect for holding all the delicious fillings.
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled: Adds smoky, savory crunch that contrasts beautifully with the softness of the potato.
- Unsalted butter: Brings richness and helps create a creamy texture when mixed with the potato filling.
- White cheddar cheese, shredded: Offers a sharp, tangy flavor that melts perfectly, enhancing every bite.
- Large eggs: The crowning glory that bakes gently inside the well, giving a silky, satisfying finish.
- Black pepper and salt: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors together without overpowering them.
- Minced scallion (optional): Adds a fresh, mild onion note and a pop of color for garnish.
How to Make Baked Sweet Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheddar, and Egg Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F, setting the perfect temperature for long, slow baking. Prick your sweet potatoes several times with a fork—this allows steam to escape and prevents bursting during roasting. Coating the potatoes lightly in canola oil and a sprinkle of salt not only enhances their skin’s crispiness but also amps up the flavor. Bake for 60 to 90 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a fork. This slow roast is key to unlocking their natural sweetness and soft texture.
Step 2: Hollow Out the Potatoes
Once baked and cool enough to handle, slice each sweet potato lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scoop out the soft insides, placing the potato flesh into a mixing bowl. Be careful not to tear the skins because these will hold your delicious filling. Arrange the hollowed-out skins on a baking sheet—they’re about to become the vessel for your next flavor-packed step.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
To the mixing bowl filled with sweet potato flesh, add your cooked and crumbled bacon, butter, and shredded white cheddar cheese. Stir until everything is well combined and creamy. The butter adds a velvety richness, while the sharpness of the cheddar and savory bacon pieces create a heavenly filling that contrasts with the sweet potato’s natural flavor.
Step 4: Fill and Top the Skins
Spoon the filling back into the potato skins, mounding it slightly. Then, make a little well in the center of each filled skin to hold an egg. Crack a fresh egg into each well, then season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. This step is where your dish truly comes alive, combining all the elements into one delicious package ready for baking.
Step 5: Bake Until the Egg is Set
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the egg whites are set and the yolks reach your preferred doneness. This finishing touch results in a perfect breakfast where every bite delivers soft sweetness, crispy bacon bits, creamy cheese, and that luscious, gently cooked egg. For an optional flourish, sprinkle with some fresh minced scallion just before serving for a bit of color and a mild onion flavor.
How to Serve Baked Sweet Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheddar, and Egg Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of minced scallions brightens the dish and adds a little fresh crunch. You can also add some chopped fresh parsley or a pinch of smoked paprika to boost color and flavor. A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce makes a great option if you love an extra kick or creamy tang.
Side Dishes
This dish is a wonderful centerpiece for a breakfast or brunch spread. Pair it with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon or vinaigrette to balance the richness. Fresh fruit, like orange segments or berries, also makes a lovely refreshing side that complements the sweet potato’s natural sugars.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the baked sweet potato skins on a rustic wooden board or a colorful platter for a casual yet stunning presentation. You could also serve them in individual small cast iron skillets for a cozy, restaurant-style feel. For a fun twist, try topping each with different flavored cheeses or include herbs like thyme or rosemary in the filling to customize the taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dish reheats well and keeps its flavor and texture surprisingly well, making it perfect for quick weekday breakfasts.
Freezing
Baked Sweet Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheddar, and Egg Recipe can be frozen, but it’s best to freeze before adding the egg for optimal texture. Freeze the filled skins (without the egg), wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn, for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and add a fresh egg before baking.
Reheating
To reheat, place the filled skins in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through. If reheating leftovers with eggs, you may want to cover loosely with foil to prevent the eggs from overcooking. Microwave reheating is possible, but baking yields better texture for both the potato skins and eggs.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Absolutely! While sweet potatoes add their unique sweetness and color, regular potatoes can also be hollowed and filled for a more classic savory flavor.
How do I know when the egg is perfectly baked?
The egg should have set whites with yolks either runny or firm to your taste. For a runny yolk, bake closer to 15 minutes; for firmer yolks, bake up to 20 minutes.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Simply omit the bacon and you can substitute it with sautéed mushrooms or smoked paprika for that smoky flavor. The cheddar and egg keep the dish hearty.
Is there a substitute for white cheddar cheese?
Cheddar works wonderfully here, but you can use any melting cheese like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a spicy pepper jack for a flavor twist.
What if I don’t want to bake the whole sweet potatoes first?
You can microwave sweet potatoes as a shortcut, but the skin won’t be as crispy. Baking enhances flavor and texture significantly, so it’s worth the extra time if you can manage it.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Sweet Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheddar, and Egg Recipe is one of those delightful breakfast dishes that feels both indulgent and nourishing. It turns simple ingredients into a celebration of flavor that’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Give it a try for a weekend brunch or any morning you want to treat yourself—your taste buds will thank you!
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Baked Sweet Potato Skins with Bacon, Cheddar, and Egg Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Breakfast Sweet Potato recipe features baked sweet potatoes stuffed with a savory mixture of bacon, butter, cheddar cheese, and eggs. Baked to perfection, this hearty breakfast dish combines the natural sweetness of potatoes with rich, salty flavors, making it a satisfying and wholesome start to your day.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes, for baking
- Canola oil, for coating
- Salt, for sprinkling
Filling
- ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping
- Scallion, minced (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the sweet potatoes evenly.
- Prepare sweet potatoes: Using a fork, prick each sweet potato several times on all sides. This allows steam to escape during baking.
- Coat and bake potatoes: Lightly coat each sweet potato with canola oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 60-90 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Slice potatoes: When baked, carefully slice each sweet potato lengthwise down the middle.
- Hollow out potatoes: Use a spoon to gently scoop out the center of each sweet potato half into a mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the skins which will hold the filling.
- Prepare potato shells: Lay the hollowed-out sweet potato skins on a baking sheet to be filled later.
- Make filling: To the bowl with the scooped potato flesh, add cooked bacon, unsalted butter, and shredded white cheddar cheese. Mix well until combined.
- Fill shells: Spoon the filling mixture back into each sweet potato shell evenly.
- Create a well: Make a small indentation or well in the center of each filled sweet potato half to hold the egg.
- Add eggs and season: Crack one raw egg into each well. Sprinkle the egg with salt and black pepper to season.
- Final bake: Return the filled sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the egg is set and the potatoes are heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with minced scallion if desired. Serve warm for a nutritious breakfast treat.
Notes
- Baking time for sweet potatoes can vary depending on their size; check tenderness with a fork starting at 60 minutes.
- You can use smoked or maple bacon for additional flavor options.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and use a vegan cheese alternative.
- If you prefer fully cooked eggs, bake a few extra minutes until eggs reach your desired doneness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
