Description
These Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel are a comforting and flavorful side dish featuring creamy sweet potato filling mixed with warming spices and sharp cheddar, topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel. Perfectly baked twice for a golden, crisp topping and soft, cheesy interior, this recipe provides a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors ideal for cozy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes & Filling
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Pecan Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork, rub them with olive oil, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Prepare Filling: Remove the hot sweet potatoes and let cool slightly. Cut each potato lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh into a bowl, leaving a small border inside the skin intact.
- Mash and Flavor: Add sour cream, milk, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the sweet potato flesh. Mash until smooth, then stir in shredded cheddar cheese.
- Fill Potato Skins: Spoon the cheesy, spiced sweet potato mixture back into the empty skins and place them back on the baking sheet.
- Make Pecan Streusel: In a bowl, mix chopped pecans, brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and blend using fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbs form.
- Top Potatoes: Evenly sprinkle the pecan streusel over each stuffed sweet potato half.
- Final Bake: Bake the topped sweet potatoes for an additional 15-20 minutes until the streusel is golden brown and the filling is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, then serve warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure sweet potatoes are tender before scooping to achieve a smooth mash.
- Use cold butter in the streusel for a crumbly texture.
- Can be prepared ahead up to the filling stage; refrigerate and bake fresh before serving.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and milk with plant-based alternatives and omit cheddar or use vegan cheese.
- Adjust spices to taste for a milder or stronger flavor profile.
