Click here for a printable PDF recipe card Twice-baked Chipotle Bacon Sweet Potatoes

I think you’re going to LOVE this!  Sweet potatoes and yams are a frequent staple in this house.  You do need good carbs for energy if you workout regularly.  I was getting a little tired of just roasted sweet potatoes and I wanted a yummy alternate way of cooking it.  Chipotle chile pepper was a new and exciting spice in my life (haha!) and I thought “Sweet, spicy, and salty would go great together.”  It was a hit!  Not to toot my own horn, but any of my friends that have had this now ask me to bring it when we have dinner together.

Ok, let’s get down and dirty first.  Who knew that there’s a difference between sweet potatoes and yams???  Congratulations if you said “I do!”  Because I didn’t.  I thought they were the same thing just called a different name depending on where you grew up. Apparently, that’s a “no.”  If you’re curious about the differences, check out LiveStrong.com’s article called Sweet Potato vs. Yam Nutrition.  Is it important here?  No, you can use either one.  I just thought you’d like a bit of knowledge. 😉

Here’s the ingredients you need to gather: 1 large sweet potato or yam; butter; chipotle chile pepper; salt; 2 slices of cook, uncured bacon (diced); parmesan cheese.

Now how many people one yam feeds depends on your appetite and what else is part of your meal.  We normally have a some type of meat and a salad, so my husband and I will usually split a half (which leaves the other half for breakfast or for leftovers the next night).  In that case, you could use one yam for 4 people. But if this is your only side and there’s no salad involved, or if this, in and of itself, will be your meal, then you’ll only feed 2 people with one yam.

You can either bake the yam or cook it in the microwave.  If you’re in a rush, then microwave it is.  The only downfall is that I feel it dries it out and the ends are always hard. I prefer to bake mine, but time always makes my decision for me.

Today I used a yam and I baked it.  Bake it for 60-70 minutes depending on the size of the yam.  At the 60 minute mark, put a knife through the center.  If it goes all the way through easily, it’s done.  If not, back in for another 10 minutes, and test it again.

Let it cool for about 15 minutes.  Cut it in half and scoop out the flesh, leaving some flesh remaining on the skin so that the shell keeps its form.

The flesh should be soft so it won’t be necessary to mash it.  Mix in the butter, salt, chipotle chile pepper, cooked, diced bacon, and 2 TBSP of the parmesan cheese.

Separate mixture evenly and return to yam shells.

Top each with 1 tsp parmesan cheese.  Later this is going to make the most delicious crunchy topping!

Bake at 400° for 10 minutes then place under broiler until topping is golden.

Click here for a printable PDF recipe card Twice-baked Chipotle Bacon Sweet Potatoes

Twice-baked Chipotle Bacon Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

1 Large sweet potato or yam

2 TBSP  Butter

½ tsp   Salt

2 slices cooked, uncured bacon, diced

½ tsp  Chipotle chile pepper

2 TBSP + 2 tsp   Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bake sweet potato/yam at 400° for 60-70 minutes (depending on size). It is done when you can easily pierce it with a knife all the way through.

2. Cut sweet potato in half and scoop out flesh, leaving some flesh remaining on the skin to help it keep its form.

3. Cool ~15 minutes then stir in butter, salt, bacon, chipotle chile pepper, and 2 TBSP parmesan cheese.

4. Evenly separate mixture and return to shells.  Top each with 1 tsp parmesan.

5. Bake for 10 minutes at 400° then place under broiler for a few seconds until cheese golden.