Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe
If you’re like me, mornings call for something hearty, comforting, and just a little bit special. That’s why I love this Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe. It’s basically the perfect wake-up dish: tender roasted sweet potatoes stuffed with cheesy bacon goodness, topped with a perfectly baked egg. Trust me, once you try it, this skillet will become your go-to for weekend breakfasts or whenever you want to impress your brunch guests without stress.
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of the potatoes pairs beautifully with the salty bacon and creamy cheese.
- Simple Prep: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make it doable even on a busy weekend morning.
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or add your favorite toppings without losing that comforting vibe.
- Impressive Presentation: Serving eggs baked right inside the sweet potato skin feels fancy but comes together effortlessly.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe plays a starring role. I love that the combination is simple but results in a dish packed with texture and flavor. When picking your sweet potatoes, go for ones with smooth, unblemished skin—this helps ensure you don’t end up with a broken shell once hollowed out.
- Sweet Potatoes: Naturally sweet and tender when baked, they make a hearty base and edible “bowl” for the filling.
- Bacon: Adds salty crunch and smoky flavor—a must-have to balance the sweetness of the potato.
- Unsalted Butter: Brings richness to the filling and helps everything meld together.
- White Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding sharpness and gooey texture that pulls it all together.
- Eggs: Baked right on top, they add creaminess and a satisfying protein boost.
- Black Pepper and Salt: Essential seasonings to bring out the flavors without overpowering the dish.
- Scallion (optional): Freshness and a pop of color when sprinkled on top just before serving.
Make It Your Way
If you’re anything like me—and I bet you are—you love putting your own spin on recipes. This Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity, so don’t be afraid to mix it up! I usually tweak it depending on what I have on hand or my mood.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap bacon for spicy chorizo or turkey bacon when I want a different flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Twist: Skip the bacon and toss in sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a veggie-packed version.
- Cheese Swap: I’ve tried mozzarella for a milder taste or pepper jack for a bit of heat—both work like a charm!
- Spice it Up: A pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes in the filling adds a nice kick without overwhelming the dish.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe
Step 1: Roast your sweet potatoes to tender perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F. While it’s warming up, grab your sweet potatoes and poke a few holes in each side with a fork—this helps steam escape and prevents bursting. I like to lightly coat them with a bit of canola or olive oil plus a pinch of salt; it softens the skin and adds flavor. Bake for about 60 to 90 minutes, or until you can easily pierce the flesh with a fork. Don’t rush this step—roasting low and slow caramelizes their natural sugars, which is key to the flavor you want.
Step 2: Hollow out the sweet potatoes with care
Once they’re cool enough to handle (I usually wait about 10 minutes), slice each potato lengthwise and gently scoop out the center with a spoon. Be super gentle here—you want to keep the skin intact since it doubles as your edible “skillet.” If you tear the skin, just grab an extra potato or use a bit more filling in a baking dish instead.
Step 3: Mix the filling and stuff the skins
In a large bowl, combine the scooped sweet potato flesh, cooked crumbled bacon, butter, and shredded white cheddar cheese. Mix it all up until the butter melts into the warm potatoes and everything is evenly incorporated. Then, spoon this heavenly filling back into the potato skins, mounding it slightly.
Step 4: Add eggs and finish baking
Create a small well in the center of each filled sweet potato, then crack a raw egg right into it. Season with salt and black pepper. Pop these back in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still a little runny (if you like them fully cooked, just bake a bit longer). Once done, sprinkle with minced scallions for a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Keep Potato Skins Intact: Use a spoon with a rounded edge and scoop gently to avoid breaking the skin – it’s your edible bowl!
- Don’t Overbake the Eggs: Watch closely after 15 minutes to get that perfect runny yolk if that’s your thing.
- Use Warm Potatoes: Mixing filling while potatoes are warm helps butter melt evenly and blends flavors better.
- Bacon Crunch: Cook bacon just until crispy but not burnt—overly crispy bacon can feel too hard when baked again in the potato.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe
Garnishes
I always top my Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with a handful of minced scallions because their mild onion flavor brightens every bite. Sometimes, I add a little sprinkle of smoked paprika or fresh chopped parsley to switch things up. A drizzle of hot sauce or salsa on the side is also amazing for a kick of flavor.
Side Dishes
This skillet is pretty filling but pairs nicely with a simple green salad or some fresh fruit on the side. If you’re serving brunch, crusty toast or homemade biscuits round out the meal wonderfully. For something lighter, sliced avocado adds creaminess and extra nutrients.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to place each stuffed sweet potato half on a rustic wooden board and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens—it makes breakfast feel like a celebration! You can serve multiple small sweet potatoes as individual servings, offering guests a personalized portion that feels cozy and homey.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs stores well in the fridge. I recommend transferring leftovers to an airtight container and consuming within 3 to 4 days. Just keep in mind the egg is best eaten the day you make it, but you can reheat gently if needed.
Freezing
I haven’t personally frozen the whole stuffed potato with egg because of the texture change in eggs after freezing, but the sweet potato bacon filling freezes beautifully on its own. You can prepare the filling in advance and freeze it in portions—then just thaw, stuff, and bake fresh eggs when you want breakfast.
Reheating
When reheating leftovers, I preheat the oven to 300°F and warm the skillet for about 10–15 minutes. This gently warms the potatoes and bacon without drying them out. I avoid microwaving since it can make the potatoes gummy and the eggs rubbery.
FAQs
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Can I make this Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe ahead of time?
You can definitely prep the sweet potatoes and filling a day before, but I recommend adding and baking the eggs fresh to keep their texture and flavor intact.
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What if I don’t like runny egg yolks?
No problem! Simply bake the stuffed potatoes a few minutes longer until the yolks are cooked through. Keep an eye on them so they don’t dry out.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the bacon for sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or your favorite veggies for a delicious meat-free version.
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Is there a good substitute for white cheddar cheese?
Yes! Mild cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack all melt well and offer great flavor alternatives.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s simple but feels indulgent—a real treat with minimal fuss. It’s saved me on those mornings when I want comfort without complicated prep. I’m confident you’ll find it just as satisfying and easy to love, so give it a try and let me know how you like to make it your own. Breakfast will never be the same again!
Print
Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Eggs Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Breakfast Sweet Potato recipe combines the natural sweetness of baked sweet potatoes with savory bacon, creamy butter, cheddar cheese, and baked eggs for a hearty morning meal. Topped with fresh scallions, it’s a delicious, satisfying way to start your day.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes
Filling
- ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
Egg Topping
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- scallion, minced (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: Using a fork, prick each sweet potato several times on all sides to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Oil and season the potatoes: Coat each sweet potato lightly with canola oil and sprinkle with salt to enhance flavor and help crisp the skin.
- Bake the sweet potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 90 minutes until they are fork-tender and fully cooked through.
- Scoop out the centers: Once cooled slightly, slice each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl, ensuring the skins remain intact.
- Prepare the filling: Add cooked bacon, unsalted butter, and shredded white cheddar cheese to the bowl with the sweet potato flesh. Mix all ingredients until well combined.
- Fill the potato skins: Spoon the filling back evenly into the hollowed-out sweet potato skins and create a slight well in the center to hold the egg.
- Add the eggs and season: Crack one raw egg into the well of each filled potato half. Sprinkle each with salt and black pepper for seasoning.
- Bake to finish: Return the filled sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the eggs are set and the filling is hot throughout.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and top each sweet potato with minced scallions for a fresh, mild onion flavor before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the sweet potatoes are fork-tender before removing from the oven to guarantee a soft filling texture.
- Use cooked bacon for a crispy texture and smoky flavor; turkey bacon can be a lower-fat alternative.
- Butter can be substituted with olive oil or a vegan butter alternative if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon or replace with sautéed mushrooms or smoked paprika for added flavor.
- Egg doneness can be checked by a gentle shake of the baking sheet; eggs should not move when set.
- Scallions are optional but add a nice fresh bite and color contrast.
- These baked sweet potatoes can be prepared ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg