Running recipes: Best sweet potato dishes

Sweet potatoes are a go-to staple of many a runner’s diet. They’re nutritious, with one cup making your entire daily needs for vitamin A, along with 16 per cent of your dietary fibre and 12 per cent of your potassium. Sweet potatoes are also easy, if you’re really pressed for time, all you need to do is pop one in the microwave (hopefully you poked a few holes in it first!) and presto, you have a good source of complex carbohydrate.

But, if you think that sweet potatoes can show off the height of their flavour after a few minutes in the microwave. I’m afraid I must tell you you’re mistaken. Here is a round up of some of the best sweet potato recipes out there.

1) Sweet potato chocolate chip cookies

That’s right, we’re starting this recipe list off with a bang with sweet potato chocolate chip cookies. They have no added sugar, are gluten-free and vegan. Plus, they’re pretty good for you! What more could you ask for from a cookie?

2) Vegan quinoa sweet potato chili

This recipe, while also vegan, contains lots of hearty vegetarian protein in the form of black beans. This filling meal works well as a lunch or a dinner and leftovers keep for an easy work week packed lunch. A couple slices of avocado on top completes the meal with a dose of heart healthy fats.

3) Sweet potatoes with pecans and goat cheese 

These little slices of roasted sweet potato have a marshmallow texture, if marshmallows were good for you. Sprinkling them with pecans and cheese makes for an easy but gourmet-appearing appetizer or snack that is sure to wow your friends.

4) Lentil salad with smoked almonds, sweet potato and goat cheese

This recipe is another delicious vegetarian dish that will keep you satisfied. It can be served as either a main or a side. If you like the idea of smoked almonds, you should check out our list of best DIY roasted nut recipes.

5) Two-ingredient sweet potato pancakes

It really doesn’t get much simpler than a recipe with two ingredients. In fact, I’m not sure you can even really call it a recipe, perhaps this is a delicious food combination? Anyways, all you need are a sweet potato and some eggs to make these tasty pancakes. They’re kid (and adult) approved.

6) Healthy chipotle chicken sweet potato skins

This recipe should be named “comfort food on a platter” or perhaps “a meal that tastes like it shouldn’t be good for you but is.” This recipe is spicy, cheesy, sweet potato-y goodness personified.

7) Sweet potato soup with miso and ginger

This soup can be made with vegetarian or chicken broth, depending on your dietary needs/preferences. Dollop with Greek yogurt on top to provide protein for a full meal.

8) Beet and sweet potato stacks

Most of this recipe can be made one to three days ahead of serving, which is great if you’re hosting people and have a busy schedule on the day of. Beets are a known running superfood and sweet potato should be a staple in every runner’s diet, so this recipe is pretty much the bees knees for running dinner party guests. Plus, it just looks impressive.

9) Sweet potato PB and J

Yes, you read that right. Your favourite orange starch meets your childhood lunch classic. A match (bizarrely enough) made in culinary heaven.

10) Sweet potato banana bites

These little mini muffins are gluten-free and have no added sugar. If you’d like, you can throw in chia seeds or dried fruit instead of chocolate chips. These little guys make a great breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up!