If you’re looking for a breakfast that’s comforting, hearty, and delightfully different, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg Recipe is one of my all-time favorite easy weekend morning treats. The way the creamy sweet potato pairs with salty bacon, melted cheddar, and a perfectly baked egg nestled inside the potato skin? Absolutely irresistible. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make this part of your regular breakfast rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweet potato’s natural sweetness contrasts perfectly with savory bacon and sharp cheddar.
- Simple Yet Impressive: Looks fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a weekday breakfast treat.
- Customizable and Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone in my family goes crazy for these, and you can easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or diet.
- Great Make-Ahead Option: You can prep the potatoes in advance and finish them quickly when you’re ready to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here are straightforward but come together beautifully. Choose sweet potatoes that are firm and roughly the same size for even baking. The combination of bacon, butter, and cheddar cheese makes the filling irresistibly rich—the kind of breakfast that feels like a warm hug first thing in the morning.
- Sweet potatoes: Look for large, firm ones without blemishes so they hold their shape during baking.
- Bacon: Cooked crisp then crumbled for that perfect salty crunch.
- Unsalted butter: Adds creamy richness without overpowering other flavors.
- White cheddar cheese: A sharp, melty cheese that complements the sweet potato and bacon beautifully.
- Large eggs: The star topping—make sure they’re fresh for the best texture and taste.
- Salt and black pepper: For seasoning and bringing everything together.
- Scallion: Optional, but adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color on top.
Variations
One of my favorite things about the Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg Recipe is how easy it is to tailor to what you love or what you have on hand. Don’t feel locked in—this recipe is a blank canvas for all sorts of tasty twists!
- Meat-Free Version: I swapped bacon for sautéed mushrooms and a sprinkle of smoked paprika once and it was surprisingly satisfying.
- Spicy Kick: Adding some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce makes the flavor pop, which my spice-loving friends adore.
- Different Cheeses: Try pepper jack, gouda, or even feta for a totally new flavor profile. Each one brings its own vibe to the dish.
- Herbs & Extras: Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro on top add brightness, and mixing in some sautéed spinach inside adds a veggie boost.
How to Make Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Sweet Potatoes to Tender Perfection
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Use a fork to prick each sweet potato a few times on all sides—this lets steam escape so they don’t burst while baking. I like coating each potato with a light layer of canola oil and a sprinkle of salt to enhance their natural sweetness and crisp up the skins just a bit during roasting. Pop them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet, and roast for about 60 to 90 minutes until they’re fork-tender. You’ll know they’re done when a knife slides smoothly into the center with no resistance.
Step 2: Hollow Out and Mix the Filling
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice each one in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh into a large bowl, making sure not to tear the skins—you want those boats sturdy enough to hold all the delicious filling. To that sweet potato flesh, add your cooked, crumbled bacon, butter, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until it’s creamy and well combined. This mix is so good, you might find yourself sneaking a forkful before filling the skins!
Step 3: Fill the Potato Skins and Add the Eggs
Lay the hollowed sweet potato boats on a baking sheet for easy handling. Spoon the bacon and cheese filling back into the skins, distributing it evenly. Then, with the back of the spoon, create a little well in the center of each—this is where your eggs will go. Crack a raw egg into each well and season lightly with salt and pepper. This step feels a bit fancy but I promise, it’s easier than it looks!
Step 4: Bake Until Eggs are Set and Everything is Warm
Bake your sweet potato breakfast boats at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes — just until the eggs are set and the filling is warmed through. Keep an eye on them so the eggs don’t overcook; I prefer slightly soft yolks for that luscious texture inside. Once out of the oven, sprinkle on some minced scallions for a fresh, colorful garnish.
Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg Recipe
- Choose Even-Sized Potatoes: I’ve learned that using sweet potatoes of similar size helps them cook evenly, so none come out under or overdone.
- Don’t Overfill the Boats: Leaving a little room around the edges prevents the filling from spilling over during baking.
- Use Fresh Eggs for Best Results: Fresh eggs hold their shape better and taste cleaner, making your breakfast boats look and taste amazing.
- Let Potatoes Cool Some Before Scooping: This prevents the skins from tearing—trust me, it saves you heartache and mess!
How to Serve Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with minced scallions—they add a nice pop of bright, oniony freshness that cuts through the richness of the cheese and bacon. If you like a bit of heat, a sprinkle of smoked paprika or chili flakes works wonders too.
Side Dishes
To keep things balanced, I like pairing these breakfast boats with a crisp green salad or some fresh fruit on the side. If I’m feeling indulgent, a slice of toasted crusty bread or hash browns round out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch party, I once served these on a large wooden board lined with parchment and scattered fresh herbs around, making them look like little edible boats floating on a sea of color. You could also add small ramekins of hot sauce or avocado salsa on the side for guests to customize their plates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover sweet potato boats in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep the shells crisp, it’s best to store the filling separately and assemble just before reheating.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the filling on its own in freezer-safe bags pretty successfully. When I’m ready for a quick breakfast, I thaw the filling overnight in the fridge, stuff fresh potato skins, top with eggs, and bake. Freezing the fully assembled boats with raw eggs doesn’t work well, so I don’t recommend that.
Reheating
For reheating, I pop the assembled boats in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through and the egg is cooked to my liking. Microwaving eggs can get rubbery, so oven reheating is the way to go for best texture.
FAQs
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Can I make Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake and scoop out the sweet potatoes, prepare the filling, and store it in the fridge for a day or two. When you’re ready, fill the boats, add the eggs, and bake fresh.
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What can I substitute for bacon?
If you’re avoiding pork, diced turkey bacon, cooked sausage crumbles, or sautéed mushrooms are delicious alternatives that still add a savory kick.
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Can I use other types of cheese?
Definitely! Cheddar works great, but feel free to experiment with mozzarella for meltiness, pepper jack for spice, or goat cheese for tanginess.
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How do I know when the eggs are perfectly cooked?
After baking 15-20 minutes, the egg whites should be set but yolks still slightly soft if you like them runny. If you prefer fully set yolks, bake a few minutes longer. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap out the butter for a dairy-free alternative and use a plant-based cheese or skip the cheese altogether. The sweet potato and bacon still provide plenty of flavor.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg Recipe turns out every time. It feels like a special weekend treat but is approachable enough for busy mornings. I remember the first time I made this—my family’s eyes lit up, and since then it’s become our go-to for cozy mornings. Give it a try! I’m confident you’ll enjoy digging into these juicy, cheesy, egg-topped sweet potato boats just as much as we do.
Print
Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats with Bacon and Egg 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
Description
This Breakfast Sweet Potato recipe offers a hearty and delicious way to start your day, combining the natural sweetness of baked sweet potatoes with savory bacon, creamy butter, melted white cheddar cheese, and eggs baked right in the potato skins. Topped with fresh scallions, it’s a comforting and nutritious breakfast that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any morning.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes, for baking
- Canola oil, for coating
- Salt, to taste (used in coating and filling)
Filling
- ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- Minced scallion (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Use a fork to prick each sweet potato multiple times on all sides to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Coat and Bake Potatoes: Lightly coat each sweet potato with canola oil and sprinkle with salt. Place on a baking tray and bake for 60 to 90 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender and fully cooked.
- Slice and Hollow Sweet Potatoes: Remove the potatoes from the oven and slice each potato lengthwise into halves. Carefully scoop out the center flesh into a large mixing bowl, taking care not to damage the skins.
- Prepare Filling: Add the cooked, crumbled bacon, unsalted butter, and shredded white cheddar cheese to the bowl with the sweet potato flesh. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Fill Potato Skins: Arrange the hollowed sweet potato skins on a baking sheet and spoon the filling mixture evenly into each shell, leaving a small well in the center of each.
- Add Egg and Season: Crack one raw egg into each well. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Bake Again: Return the filled potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the potato filling is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and optionally top with minced scallions before serving for a fresh, bright flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the sweet potatoes are fully cooked and fork-tender before hollowing them out to hold their shape while filling.
- Use unsalted butter to better control the saltiness of the recipe when combined with bacon and cheese.
- Season eggs after cracking them into the potato wells to enhance flavor.
- Optional scallion garnish adds a fresh contrast but can be omitted if preferred.
- This recipe can be customized with other cheese varieties or additions like herbs or spices to your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato half
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg