Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potatoes

Bacon-wrapped sweet potato bites are the sweet and savory appetizer every party needs. Bacon-wrapped recipes are almost always the first to go on the party platter—because, let’s face it, what’s not to love about bacon? This appetizer recipe is a riff on bacon-wrapped smokies and replaces the sausage with flavorful (and better for you) sweet potato cubes.

Although often confused with each other, sweet potatoes and yams are completely different root vegetables. Most varieties of sweet potatoes have pink or reddish skin, while yams have textured brown skin. On the inside, sweet potatoes have an orange flesh while yams have white flesh. Look for firm sweet potatoes for this recipe.

Cinnamon and cayenne pepper complement the sweet flavor of the potatoes, and a generous sprinkle of brown sugar atop the bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes ensures each of these one-bite wonders is packed full of sweet and savory flavor. Serve them at tailgates, summer cookouts and holiday gatherings—whenever you need a quick and easy snack that everyone will love.

Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Ingredients

• Butter: Melted butter adds a rich buttery flavor and helps the seasoning adhere to the potatoes. You could also use olive oil in place of the butter.
• Seasonings: The bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes are seasoned with a warm and spicy mix of ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt.
• Sweet potatoes: The recipe calls for peeled and cubed sweet potatoes. Two medium-sized sweet potatoes should yield the right amount. There are two main kinds of sweet potatoes: firm and soft. You will want the firm type for this recipe. Look for varieties such as Jewel or Garnet; they have pale gold or purple skin.
• Bacon strips: Bacon gets wrapped around the potato cubes. Any top bacon brand will do, but make sure it’s thin-cut. Thick-cut bacon can sometimes remain chewy when wrapped around something and baked.
• Brown sugar: A sprinkle of brown sugar enhances the potatoes’ sweetness and contrasts with the spicy seasoning and savory bacon.
• Maple syrup: Serve the bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes with warm maple syrup for dipping.

Directions

Step 1: Season the sweet potatoes

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt. Add the sweet potatoes and toss to coat.

Step 2: Wrap the sweet potatoes with bacon

Wrap one piece of bacon around each sweet potato cube and secure it with a toothpick. Sprinkle each with brown sugar. Place the bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined 15x10x1-inch baking pan.

Step 3: Bake the sweet potatoes

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the bacon crisps and the sweet potato becomes tender. Serve with maple syrup.

Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Variations

• Spice it up: Add some extra heat by sprinkling chili powder, smoked paprika or red pepper flakes in the spice mix.
• Lighten it a little: For a lower-fat option, substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon.
• Make it gourd-geous: For a fun autumnal twist, substitute cubed and peeled butternut squash for the sweet potato.

How to Store Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potatoes

These bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes are often the first to go from the party platter, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long do bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes last?

Bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes last up to three days in the refrigerator. To reheat them, place the bites on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350° oven until warmed through, 10 to 15 minutes.

Can you make bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes in advance?

Yes, you can prep the bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes up to 24 hours in advance. After wrapping and securing the seasoned cubes in bacon, place the prepped sweet potato bites in a covered container in the refrigerator. Sprinkle the bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes with brown sugar right before baking.

Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Tips

How do you make sure the bacon stays wrapped around the sweet potato?

A toothpick will help ensure the bacon doesn’t unravel while cooking. The sweet potato bites should also be served with a toothpick to ensure the bacon stays on and guests can easily pick up individual bites.

What can you serve with bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes?

While this recipe suggests serving the bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes with warm maple syrup, other tasty dipping options include honey mustard or an aioli. These bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes are perfect for serving as a game-day snack or alongside a spread of appetizers at a holiday party. For a dinner option, pair these savory bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes with a shaved Brussels sprout salad.