Sweet Potato Skins With Candied Bacon and a Spicy Basil Cream Sauce

This sweet potato skins recipe hits all the flavor groups. Sweet, savory, salty, and spicy, these loaded sweet potato skins with candied bacon and creamy basil sauce are a flavor explosion in every bite.

Now, I’ve shared a loaded sweet potato recipe with y’all a few years back (check it out here). But this sweet potato skins recipe takes it one step further, as we’re only using the sweet potato skins.  But these beauties are overflowing with delectable candied bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and our homemade spicy cream basil sauce. Talk about a flavor explosion! This sweet potato recipe is a game-changer and perfect as an appetizer or a main meal. Serve it with a deliciously refreshing side salad, like tomato, onion, and cucumber salad, Greek salad, or summer corn salad.

Don’t let the list of ingredients or extra steps scare you away, either. There may be some additional steps to make the perfect candied bacon and the creamy sauce, but I promise they’re worth it. Plus, head to the Recipe Notes below and check out an alternative filling you can enjoy in these stuffed sweet potato skins.

Before we dive in, remember to not let the sweet potato flesh go to waste! You could use it for mashed sweet potatoes (another dinner sorted) or a sweet potato casserole.

Recipe Ingredients

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 5 strips candied bacon, cooked and diced
• Drizzle of creamy basil sauce
• Chives, chopped for garnish

Ingredients (Easy Candied Bacon)

• ½ pound thick-cut bacon
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Ingredients (Spicy Basil Cream Sauce)

• 1 handful basil leaves
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions (Loaded Sweet Potato Skins)

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Line a large baking sheet with foil. Wash and dry each sweet potato and set aside.

Drizzle olive oil over each sweet potato. Sprinkle with kosher salt.

Pierce each sweet potato a few times with a fork. Place the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes. Once finished cooking, allow to cool before handling.

Once the sweet potatoes are cool to the touch, scoop out the sweet potato flesh, leaving a layer of sweet potato inside. TIP: save the scooped-out sweet potatoes to make sweet potato mashed potatoes for another day.

Place the baked sweet potato skins back on the baking sheet face up, sprinkle the potatoes with cheddar cheese and candied bacon.

Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Serve the loaded sweet potatoes with the spicy basil cream sauce and chopped chives.

Instructions (Easy Candied Bacon)

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Line a baking sheet with foil or add a wire rack to the baking sheet. Arrange the bacon slices on the baking sheet.

Sprinkle the bacon with brown sugar and freshly cracked black pepper. Pat the brown sugar into the bacon so it sticks.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and serve.

Instructions (Spicy Basil Cream Sauce)

Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.

Storage

• You can store the crispy bacon in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Recipe Notes

• Instead of candied bacon and this creamy basil sauce, here’s an alternative Mexican-inspired sweet potato skin stuffing.  Opt for a black bean and corn mixture tossed in taco seasoning (cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder are the best), topped with cheese, and served with a sprinkle of cilantro and sour cream.

Recipe FAQs

Are these loaded sweet potato skins gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Just make sure no ingredients have sneaky gluten-free additions.

Can I use regular potatoes?

Yes, you can definitely substitute sweet potatoes for regular potatoes. The key is to ensure they’re similar in size to small/medium sweet potatoes.

Check out these other sensational sweet potato recipes:

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Bread With Cinnamon Swirl

Sweet Potato Pie (Southern Plate-Style)

Easy Sweet Potato Muffins

Sweet Potato Dumplings – Heaven on a Plate!