If you’re on the hunt for something cozy, flavorful, and just downright fun to eat, you’re going to love this Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and cheesy with a tangy kick from the honey-lime chipotle yogurt that just takes it over the top. This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser whether you’re hosting a game day or just craving an easy vegetarian meal that’s bursting with flavor. Seriously, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back for more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients that come together beautifully.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: Sweet potato skins with hearty chili beans and a zesty yogurt sauce make every bite exciting.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual lunch or an appetizer at your next party, these hold up and impress.
- Easy to Customize: You can tweak the toppings and spice level to fit your taste without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in the Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe was chosen for flavor and ease. I love how the chili beans add a rich, smoky base while the sweet potatoes bring natural sweetness, creating a delicious contrast. When shopping, look for firm sweet potatoes with unblemished skins—they hold up better and get wonderfully crispy.
- Sweet Potato Skins: Choose medium-large skins that are about 3 inches wide and 5-6 inches long for perfect stuffing.
- Olive Oil: Enhances crispiness when brushed on the skins before baking.
- Salt: Just a touch to season and bring out the natural flavors.
- BUSH’S® Kidney Beans in Mild Chili Sauce: This pre-seasoned chili bean mix saves tons of time and adds authentic chili flavor.
- Colby Jack or Mexican Cheese: Melts perfectly over the chili, adding creamy richness.
- Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Tangy base for the honey-lime chipotle sauce that cools down the spice.
- Honey: Balances the heat with just a hint of sweetness in the yogurt sauce.
- Lime Juice: Adds bright citrusy notes that freshen every bite.
- Chipotle Chili Powder: Brings smoky heat to the yogurt sauce—you can control the amount to suit your heat preference.
- Green Onion, Jalapeño Slices, Fresh Cilantro: Fresh garnishes that add crunch, extra spice, and herbaceous flavor.
- Chopped Cooked Bacon (Optional): If you want to get fancy and add some smoky, meaty goodness on top.
Variations
I really encourage you to make this Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe your own. Play around with the toppings or swap ingredients to fit your mood or dietary needs — that’s part of the fun! Personally, changing up the cheese or swapping out the yogurt for sour cream makes subtle but delicious differences.
- Make it Vegan: I’ve swapped the cheese for a plant-based option and used coconut yogurt for the sauce—still fantastic and just as creamy.
- Extra Protein Boost: Adding cooked ground turkey or crumbled tofu into the chili beans level up the meal for a heartier dish.
- Spice It Up: If you love heat, try adding fresh diced jalapeños to the chili mixture or more chipotle powder in the yogurt sauce.
- Different Cheeses: Monterey Jack or pepper jack add a nice melt and a bit of zing if you want to change it up.
How to Make Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes to Crispy Perfection
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, cleanup is easier this way! Poke holes all over your sweet potatoes with a fork so steam can escape while baking. Pop them on the baking sheet and roast for about an hour, or until a fork slides in easily. Once they’re out, let them cool for 10-15 minutes—this is key so you don’t burn your hands in the next step.
Step 2: Whip Up the Honey-Lime Chipotle Yogurt Sauce
While the potatoes are cooling, stir together the Greek yogurt, honey, fresh lime juice, and chipotle chili powder in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the chipotle powder if you want more heat—this sauce really brings the whole dish together with its balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors. Pop it in the fridge so it’s ready when your potatoes are done.
Step 3: Scoop, Season, and Crisp the Potato Skins
Slice cooled sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the insides, leaving about a thin layer of sweet potato flesh on the skin so the shells hold their shape. Don’t throw away the scooped-out flesh—my go-to is adding it to smoothies or mixing it into muffin batter for extra moistness. Brush both the inside and outside of the skins with olive oil and lightly sprinkle salt. Increase oven temperature to 425°F, then bake the skins for 10-15 minutes until the outsides crisp up nicely. This step makes all the difference in texture!
Step 4: Load Up with Chili Beans and Cheese
Now comes the fun part. Spoon BUSH’S® Kidney Beans in Mild Chili Sauce evenly into each sweet potato skin, then sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Pop them back into the oven for 5 minutes or so, just until the cheese melts and bubbles. The gooey cheese combined with the warm spiced beans is pure comfort food magic.
Step 5: Dress and Garnish Like a Pro
Top your chili-stuffed skins with a generous dollop of the honey-lime chipotle yogurt sauce. Then, sprinkle diced green onions, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, and if you’re feeling fancy, some chopped cooked bacon. Serve right away to enjoy the perfect combo of textures and flavors while it’s still warm and melty.
Pro Tips for Making Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe
- Don’t Over-Scoop the Skins: Leaving a thin layer of sweet potato flesh keeps the skins sturdy enough to hold all that delicious filling.
- Use Parchment Paper for Easy Cleanup: Trust me, it saves you scrubbing baked-on cheese and beans off your pan.
- Adjust the Heat to Your Taste: The chipotle powder in the yogurt sauce can be dialed up or down depending on your spice preferences.
- Crisp Those Skins at High Heat: Baking at 425°F after scooping really makes the skins nicely crunchy without drying them out.
How to Serve Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with the classic fresh garnishes like diced green onions, cilantro, and jalapeño slices for brightness and a little extra zing. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of crispy cooked bacon or a drizzle of hot sauce to kick it up a notch—both are crowd favorites around here!
Side Dishes
When I serve these chili-stuffed sweet potato skins, I love pairing them with a simple green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette or some roasted veggies. They’re also great alongside a bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips for sharing!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like arranging the skins on a large platter with a colorful array of garnishes around the edges—guacamole, sliced radishes, and lime wedges add visual appeal. If you want to impress, serve each skin on a small plate with a decorative dollop of the yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually keep well for up to 5-7 days. Just keep the yogurt sauce separate if possible to prevent the skins from getting soggy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these before, and while the texture of the skins softens a bit, they still taste great. Wrap each stuffed skin tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. When you’re ready, thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes until warmed through. This helps maintain crispiness better than a microwave. Add fresh toppings and a new spoonful of yogurt sauce after reheating for that fresh-eaten vibe.
FAQs
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Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
You can, though sweet potatoes offer a lovely natural sweetness and creaminess that pairs perfectly with the chili beans and chipotle yogurt sauce. If you use russet potatoes, just expect a different flavor and texture—baking times might vary, too.
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Is this recipe vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
The base recipe is vegetarian, especially if you skip the bacon garnish. For vegan, switch out the cheese for a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free yogurt or sour cream in the sauce. It’s easy to customize!
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Can I make the chili beans from scratch?
Absolutely! Cooking your own chili beans will work beautifully and let you control flavor and spice. However, using canned BUSH’S® Kidney Beans in Mild Chili Sauce saves a lot of prep time and tastes great, making it perfect for busy days.
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How do I keep the sweet potato skins crispy?
Brushing the skins with olive oil and baking them at a high heat (425°F) after scooping out the flesh is key. This crisps the edges without drying the potato out, making for a great textural contrast with the filling.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, the Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort foods whenever I want something hearty but easy. I used to struggle finding vegetarian options that felt special, but this recipe hits all the right notes with minimal fuss. You’ll find the flavors so well balanced and satisfying, it’s hard to stop at just one! So go ahead, give it a try—and soon enough, this dish will be one you crave for game day, cozy nights, or whenever you need a little extra deliciousness in your life.
PrintUltimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 100 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins are a flavorful, hearty appetizer or light meal featuring crispy baked sweet potato skins filled with BUSH’S® Kidney Beans in Mild Chili Sauce, topped with melted cheese and a tangy honey-lime chipotle yogurt sauce. Perfect for game day or a vegetarian lunch, this recipe balances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with smoky, spicy flavors and fresh garnishes.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 medium-large sweet potato skins (about 3 inches in diameter and 5-6 inches long)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Stuffing
- 1 (15 ounce) can BUSH’S® Kidney Beans in a Mild Chili Sauce
- ½ cup shredded colby jack or Mexican cheese
Honey Lime Chipotle Yogurt Sauce
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ lime, juiced
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder, plus more to taste
Garnish
- 1 green onion, diced
- Jalapeño slices, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
- Chopped cooked bacon, optional
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a fork, poke several holes all over each sweet potato to allow steam to escape during baking. Place the sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until easily pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Make Honey Lime Chipotle Yogurt Sauce: While the sweet potatoes cool, combine the Greek yogurt, honey, freshly squeezed lime juice, and chipotle chili powder in a small bowl. Mix well, then taste and adjust the chipotle powder if you prefer more heat. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to use.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Skins: Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Once cooled, slice each sweet potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a thin layer inside the skins so they hold their shape. Reserve the scooped sweet potato flesh for other uses such as smoothies or baking. Brush both the inside and outside of each sweet potato skin with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10-15 minutes to crisp the skins.
- Stuff and Bake: Evenly divide BUSH’S® Kidney Beans in Mild Chili Sauce between the sweet potato skins, filling each cavity. Sprinkle the shredded colby jack or Mexican cheese over the beans. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the stuffed sweet potatoes from the oven. Spoon a dollop of the honey-lime chipotle yogurt sauce on top of each stuffed skin. Garnish with diced green onions, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, and optional chopped cooked bacon. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5-7 days.
Notes
- This recipe makes a great game day appetizer or a fulfilling vegetarian lunch.
- The leftover sweet potato flesh is perfect for smoothies, muffins, pancakes, or pies.
- Adjust the chipotle chili powder in the sauce to control spiciness.
- For non-vegetarian versions, top with chopped cooked bacon as a flavorful option.
- Store leftovers properly covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for up to a week.
- This recipe is sponsored by BUSH’S® Beans, highlighting their flavorful kidney beans in mild chili sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sweet potato skin
- Calories: 191 kcal
- Sugar: 4.7 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 4.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30.3 g
- Fiber: 6.8 g
- Protein: 9.1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg