Loaded Chipotle Beef Sweet Potato Skins Recipe
Introduction
Loaded Chipotle Beef Sweet Potato Skins are a deliciously smoky and hearty appetizer or meal. These crispy skins are filled with a spicy, flavorful beef mixture and topped with melted cheese and fresh garnishes. Perfect for game day or a satisfying weeknight treat.
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes
- 1 pound ground beef (or chicken, venison, bison; omit if vegetarian)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Crispy bacon bits, for serving (omit if vegetarian)
- Avocado, cilantro, green onions, jalapeños, and sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425° F. Prick the sweet potatoes several times with a fork, then bake them directly on the oven rack for 35-40 minutes until tender. Remove, slice in half, and let cool.
- Step 2: While the potatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until browned all over. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Step 3: Add chili powder, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir in the tomato paste, hot sauce, and 1/3 cup water. Simmer for 5 more minutes, then remove from heat.
- Step 4: Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, use a fork to scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch of sweet potato inside the skins. Arrange the skins on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 5: Stuff each sweet potato skin evenly with the beef mixture, then sprinkle both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Step 6: Bake the stuffed skins in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 7: Serve immediately, topped with crispy bacon bits and your choice of avocado, cilantro, green onions, jalapeños, and sour cream.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and bacon and fill the skins with a mixture of black beans, corn, and sautéed peppers seasoned with the same spices.
- Try swapping the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses for pepper jack for an extra kick.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier, healthier topping.
- Make ahead by preparing the beef filling and scooping the sweet potatoes in advance; then assemble and bake when ready to serve.
Storage
Store leftover sweet potato skins covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° F for 10-15 minutes to keep the skins crispy and the cheese melty. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes, regular baking potatoes can be used, but the flavor and sweetness will differ. Sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness that pairs well with the smoky spices.
How spicy is this recipe?
The chipotle chili powder and hot sauce give the dish a moderate, smoky heat. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce or omit the jalapeños if you prefer less spice.
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Loaded Chipotle Beef Sweet Potato Skins Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
These Loaded Chipotle Beef Sweet Potato Skins are a flavorful and satisfying dish featuring tender sweet potatoes filled with a smoky, spicy chipotle ground beef mixture, topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Finished with crispy bacon bits and fresh toppings like avocado, cilantro, and jalapeños, they make a perfect appetizer or main course with a delightful blend of smoky and spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef (or chicken/venison/bison; omit if vegetarian)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup water
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Crispy bacon bits (omit if vegetarian)
- Avocado, sliced or mashed, for serving
- Cilantro, chopped, for serving
- Green onions, sliced, for serving
- Jalapeños, candied or fresh, for serving
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and bake sweet potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for 35-40 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Once baked, slice each sweet potato in half lengthwise and allow them to cool slightly.
- Cook the beef mixture: While the sweet potatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped yellow onion and cook until the beef is browned and onions are softened, stirring frequently. Stir in chili powder, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper to season evenly. Mix in the tomato paste, then add the hot sauce and 1/3 cup water. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors, then remove from heat.
- Scoop and stuff the sweet potatoes: Use a fork to carefully scoop out most of the flesh from each sweet potato half, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick edge to maintain structure. Arrange the potato skins on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Evenly fill each skin with the prepared beef mixture, then sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Bake stuffed skins: Place the baking sheet back into the oven and bake the stuffed sweet potato skins for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the tops are bubbly and slightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and immediately top with crispy bacon bits along with your preferred fresh toppings such as avocado, cilantro, green onions, jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken, venison, or bison based on preference or dietary needs.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and bacon bits; consider adding black beans or lentils as a protein alternative.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle chili powder and hot sauce according to your spice tolerance.
- These can be prepared ahead by baking sweet potatoes and cooking the beef mixture in advance; assemble and bake just before serving.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sweet potato skins, loaded sweet potatoes, chipotle beef, spicy beef recipe, baked stuffed sweet potatoes, appetizer, game day food
