Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes

Featured in: Comfort Baking

Sweet potatoes are roasted until tender and then sliced open to create pockets filled with a savory black bean and corn mixture seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. A sprinkle of shredded cheddar melts atop before adding creamy sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, scallions, and a squeeze of lime. This dish delivers bold flavors with easy preparation and nourishing ingredients, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:23:00 GMT
Golden, steaming Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes, loaded with black beans, corn, and melted cheddar atop. Save
Golden, steaming Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes, loaded with black beans, corn, and melted cheddar atop. | butterhearth.com

Sweet potatoes are roasted until tender and topped with a hearty flavorful mix of black beans corn cheese and fresh garnishes for a satisfying hands-off weeknight dinner.

This recipe became a fast favorite in my house because it combines simple preparation with big flavors and wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes: 4 medium sweet potatoes scrubbed 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Black Bean & Corn Topping: 1 (15 oz / 400 g) can black beans drained and rinsed 1 cup (150 g) frozen or canned corn drained if needed 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Cheese & Garnishes: 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend) 1/4 cup (60 g) sour cream or Greek yogurt 1 small avocado diced 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh cilantro chopped 2 scallions thinly sliced 1 small lime cut into wedges

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare Sweet Potatoes:
Prick sweet potatoes several times with a fork. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 50 minutes or until fork-tender.
Cook Topping:
While the sweet potatoes bake heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add black beans corn smoked paprika cumin chili powder and black pepper. Stir and cook for 3 4 minutes until heated through and fragrant.
Slice Sweet Potatoes:
Once the sweet potatoes are cooked let cool slightly. Slice each sweet potato lengthwise gently pressing open to create a pocket.
Fill Potatoes:
Fluff the interiors with a fork then divide the black bean and corn mixture evenly among the sweet potatoes.
Add Cheese:
Sprinkle each with shredded cheese. Return to the oven for 2 3 minutes to melt the cheese if desired.
Add Garnishes:
Top with sour cream or Greek yogurt diced avocado cilantro scallions and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.
Save
| butterhearth.com

Nothing brings the family together like sharing these loaded sweet potatoes on a cozy weekday evening.

Notes

Try toppings like pickled jalapeños or salsa for more flavor. Serve with a simple side salad for a complete meal.

Required Tools

Baking sheet Parchment paper Fork Skillet Knife and cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese sour cream/yogurt) May contain Sulfites (in canned products) Double-check all ingredient labels for potential allergens and cross-contamination.

Close-up of a flavorful Loaded Baked Sweet Potato, showcasing vibrant toppings and a creamy interior. Save
Close-up of a flavorful Loaded Baked Sweet Potato, showcasing vibrant toppings and a creamy interior. | butterhearth.com

This simple recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Recipe Questions

Can I prepare this dish vegan?

Yes, substitute plant-based cheese and vegan yogurt for the cheese and sour cream to make it vegan-friendly.

What is the best way to bake the sweet potatoes?

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), prick the sweet potatoes with a fork, rub with olive oil and salt, then bake on a lined sheet for 45–50 minutes until fork-tender.

Can I add protein to this meal?

Absolutely, cooked shredded chicken or ground turkey can be added for extra protein.

Which spices enhance the black bean and corn topping?

Smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and black pepper give the topping a rich, smoky, and mildly spicy flavor.

What garnishes complement the dish well?

Diced avocado, fresh cilantro, scallions, and a squeeze of lime provide freshness and balance to the rich flavors.

Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes

Tender baked sweet potatoes topped with black beans, corn, and cheese for a hearty vegetarian dinner.

Prep duration
10 min
Time to cook
50 min
Complete duration
60 min
Created by Grace Mitchell


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free, No Gluten

Components

Sweet Potatoes

01 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
02 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Black Bean & Corn Topping

01 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
02 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained if needed
03 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
05 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
06 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cheese & Garnishes

01 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
02 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
03 1 small avocado, diced
04 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
05 2 scallions, thinly sliced
06 1 small lime, cut into wedges

Directions

Stage 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Stage 02

Prepare sweet potatoes for roasting: Pierce sweet potatoes several times with a fork. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.

Stage 03

Roast sweet potatoes: Bake sweet potatoes for 45 to 50 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.

Stage 04

Cook black bean and corn mixture: While sweet potatoes roast, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add black beans, corn, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through and fragrant.

Stage 05

Slice and fluff sweet potatoes: Allow roasted sweet potatoes to cool slightly. Slice each lengthwise and gently press open to create a pocket. Fluff interiors with a fork.

Stage 06

Assemble and melt cheese: Divide black bean and corn mixture evenly among sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and return to oven for 2 to 3 minutes to melt cheese, if desired.

Stage 07

Add garnishes and serve: Top each potato with sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, cilantro, scallions, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Fork
  • Skillet
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consider consulting with a healthcare provider if you're unsure about certain ingredients.
  • Contains milk from cheese and sour cream or yogurt.
  • May contain sulfites present in canned ingredients.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy Value: 380
  • Fats: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Protein Content: 12 g