The Wannabe Chef: Healthy Sweet Potato Skins

Healthy sweet potato skins - yum!
Healthy sweet potato skins - yum!

I showed my mom the ingredients for sweet potato skins and she commented, “Did you ever think you would eat anything like this?”

As a matter of fact, I didn’t. Growing up, I was a picky eater for sure. I didn’t even like sweet potatoes, the main ingredient of this dish. But come college and adulthood, I discovered a willingness to broaden my palette.

With this newfound obsession for what I considered gourmet foods, came a love for cooking (which my husband appreciates). I’ll try any recipe that’s thrown my way…I’m always up for a new cooking challenge.  And thanks to Pinterest, I have a board full of recipes just waiting to be cooked…and eaten!

These sweet potato skins were first on my list. They’re colorful, good for you and as it turned out, easy to make. Here are the ingredients:

2 medium or large sweet potatoes

1½ tablespoons butter

1 shallot, minced

1 bag fresh baby spinach

¼ cup light sour cream

2 ounces light cream cheese

1 cup chickpeas

¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Not counting the time it takes to bake the sweet potatoes and allow them to cool before handling, it was a quick dish to put together.  While the potatoes cooked, I sautéed the spinach and shallots in butter and allowed the cream cheese to soften. After combining the ingredients and stuffing the mixture back into the potato skins, I topped each potato with mozzarella cheese and – cheese lover that I am – probably used a little extra than the recipe calls for.

The finished product was delicious and creamy. I almost forgot they’re good for you! And I now have a new way to prepare sweet potatoes instead of just baking them or cutting them up for fries.

Note: The recipe doesn’t call to do so, but I think I would mash the chickpeas next time so I’m not biting into big chunks. I would prefer everything in this dish to be smooth.

Don’t forget to try out all our other recipes from our Pinterest board!

Author

You Might Also Like:

Link3

Saturdays July 18 & August 29 Free at the Roanoke History & O. Winston Link Museums

The Roanoke History & O. Winston Link Museums will offer free admission to visitors from Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem, Botetourt, Bedford, Craig, Franklin, Floyd, and Montgomery Counties on Saturday July 18 and Saturday August 29, 2026.
The Body Mechanic

The Body Mechanic Approved as VA Community Care Provider

The Body Mechanic in Salem has been approved as a provider in the VA Community Care Network, giving eligible local veterans access to VA-authorized medically focused massage therapy services closer to home.
The Dog Bowl at Black Dog Salvage

Grammy-Winning Steep Canyon Rangers and Regional Favorites Phat Laces Headline Weekend at The Dog Bowl

The 5 Points Music Foundation and Black Dog Salvage invite music lovers to a full weekend of live music at The Dog Bowl, featuring Steep Canyon Rangers with Colby T. Helms and Phat Laces with Talking Cake.
Clarity Vet Consulting logo

Clarity Vet Consulting Launches in Roanoke

Clarity Vet Consulting introduces dedicated in-home pet hospice and end-of-life care.
David Arquette SCREAM

BEHIND THE SCREAM: A Live Conversation with David Arquette

Actor David Arquette takes the Berglund Center stage after a special 30th anniversary screening of "Scream."
Image by Kit Wood

Joe Bonamassa Announces 2027 U.S. Spring Tour, Includes Berglund Center

Blues-rock titan Joe Bonamassa has announced a new run of Spring 2027 U.S. tour dates, including Roanoke, VA on February 23rd at Berglund Performing Arts Theatre.
7.10 Mobile Clinic

Angels of Assisi and Bedford Community Pet Coalition to Host Low-Cost Mobile Pet Health Clinic

Angels of Assisi, in partnership with Community Pet Coalition of Bedford, will host a low-cost Mobile Pet Health Clinic on Friday, July 10, in the parking lot of the Bedford County Animal Shelter.
Dr. David Berry, program head of mechatronics at Virginia Western; Ginger Hultquist, business operations manager for Jewell Machinery in Rocky Mount; and Amy White, dean of STEM and workforce solutions at Virginia Western, pose in the campus mechatronics lab following the announcement of the College’s new status as an NC3 Leadership School.

VWCC Designated NC3 Leadership School, Expanding Industry Impact

New applied mechatronics courses will enhance credentialing opportunities.
35129146-93f1-11f0-997a-1248ae80e59d-Roanoke_Foodshed_Network_Logo

Roanoke Foodshed Network Awards Mini-Grants in Region

Roanoke Foodshed Network awards $19,375 in healthy community action team mini-grants to strengthen food access and community health in the Roanoke region.
Roanoke College logo

Roanoke College Launching 3-Year Degrees in Public Administration, Cannabis Studies

The online programs are designed for working professionals who need flexible paths to higher education.