24 Deliciously Creative Sweet Potato Recipes To Make The Most Of Your Holiday Leftovers

Edward Hickman

October 21, 2025

Eagerly using up leftover sweet potatoes from Thanksgiving can be a challenge, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive guide. To make sure you don’t let these nutritious tubers go to waste, we’ve carefully curated the following list of delicious and easy-to-make recipes that will help you use up your leftover sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato Cornmeal Loaf

Sweet Potato Cornmeal Loaf

Naturally, this cornmeal loaf is perfect for sandwiches and also serves as a creative way to utilize leftover sweet potatoes. Not only does the bread possess an airy texture, but its warm and inviting color also adds to its appeal. As it’s a milk loaf, it boasts a light consistency that complements the sweetness contributed by both the sweet potato and cornmeal, providing a delightful flavor contrast when paired with savory sandwich fillings.

Sweet Potato Tuna Fish Cakes

Sweet Potato Tuna Fish Cakes

Lighten up your dinner routine with the simplicity of fish cakes, a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of vegetables, such as steamed greens, which complement their delicate flavor. The substitution of sweet potatoes for white potatoes adds an extra layer of depth to these fish cakes, making them even more tantalizing. With preparation time clocking in under half an hour, it’s effortless to whip up these tasty fish cakes and enjoy a satisfying meal on the go.

Sweet Potato Ice Cream

Sweet Potato Ice Cream

You wouldn’t expect sweet potato to be a perfect match for ice cream, but trust us, it’s a surprisingly great combination. The sweetness of the dark brown sugar gives the ice cream an irresistible caramelized flavor that pairs beautifully with other autumnal spices. To give this unique dessert an extra boost, we’ve added cinnamon and nutmeg to evoke the warm, comforting flavors found in pumpkin pie. This sweet potato ice cream is best enjoyed with a drizzle of rich praline sauce.

Sweet Potato Butterscotch Scones

Sweet Potato Butterscotch Scones

Known for their warm and inviting flavors, these butterscotch scones offer a delightful twist on traditional sweet treats. Unlike cinnamon rolls or traditional scones, they boast a rich butterscotch sweetness that pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. The result is a scrumptious combination that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

When it comes to texture, these scones are delightfully soft and fluffy, with a generous helping of tasty butterscotch chips adding an extra layer of flavor. To give them a seasonal twist, they’re infused with the warmth of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, creating a winter spiced flavor that’s sure to become a favorite.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Renowned for its rich and comforting taste, gnocchi is a classic Italian dish that has gained popularity worldwide. Made from a simple mixture of potato and pasta flour, along with a pinch of salt for added flavor, this versatile food can be tailored to suit any taste preference. To prepare the dough, cook the potato until it’s soft and mashed, then blend it with the pasta flour to create a smooth consistency.

Next, shape the dough into small balls that are perfectly suited for boiling or sautéing for an alternate texture experience. One of the greatest advantages of gnocchi is its adaptability, allowing you to pair it with any sauce of your choice, making each serving uniquely delicious.

Leftover Sweet Potato Cake

Leftover Sweet Potato Cake

Just when you thought the holiday season was over, why not make the most of any leftover sweet potatoes by whipping up this scrumptious sweet potato cake? This recipe is a game-changer, using mashed sweet potatoes as its base and infused with the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon and vanilla essence. What’s more, it can be prepared in just three easy steps and will be ready to devour in a mere 35 minutes.

Whether you prefer to indulge in creamy custard, rich cream, or a scoop of cool ice cream alongside your cake, this recipe has got you covered!

Sweet Potato Donuts

Sweet Potato Donuts

Making these sweet potato donuts is a breeze due to the simplicity of their recipe. The use of sweet potatoes not only adds natural sweetness but also keeps the donuts moist and tender. When you take a bite, the combination of the subtle sweetness from the sweet potatoes and the crunchy powdered sugar on top will leave you craving more. To enhance the flavor even further, simply mix some cinnamon into the powdered sugar before dusting it over the donuts, giving them a warm, spiced twist.

Moreover, the absence of any proving time means that you can have these delicious treats ready in no time thanks to the help of an electric mixer.

Sweet Potato Lasagna

Sweet Potato Lasagna

Highlighting one of our favorite vegetarian twists on a classic Italian dish is this sweet potato lasagna recipe. The star of the show is made with layers of thinly sliced sweet potatoes instead of traditional pasta sheets, adding a delightful twist to the original. The filling, a vegan version of ricotta cheese, is expertly crafted using nutritional yeast, tofu, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for added depth of flavor.

Meanwhile, the pesto sauce brings a fragrant basil note to the dish, elevating it to new heights. To prepare this mouth-watering masterpiece, simply blend together the filling ingredients in a blender before layering them up in a baking dish.

Sweet Potato Waffles

Sweet Potato Waffles

Giving thanks for the abundance of sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving is one thing, but finding creative ways to use them up afterwards is another challenge altogether. Fortunately, making sweet potato waffles from leftover sweet potato casserole is a great way to repurpose this ingredient. The recipe combines the casserole with flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, milk, and vanilla extract to create a delicious and crispy breakfast or brunch option.

To make these waffles, you’ll need a waffle maker and can top them with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup and toasted pecans, for an extra-special treat.

Sweet Potato Falafel

Sweet Potato Falafel

Harnessing the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, this falafel recipe takes a creative twist on traditional chickpea-based falafels. The addition of roasted sweet potatoes not only adds depth to the flavor but also provides a delightful texture contrast. To prepare the sweet potatoes, bake them in the oven until tender, then peel off their skin and mash them up before adding them to a bowl with the other ingredients.

Next, use a food processor to blend everything together into a smooth, uniform mixture.

Sweet Potato Flan

Sweet Potato Flan

Just in time for the holiday season, this sweet potato flan is an excellent way to repurpose leftover sweet potatoes into a delicious dessert. The addition of warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon gives it a festive twist, while the aromatic flavor of ginger adds depth. The sweetness level is perfectly balanced by the tanginess of creamy buttermilk and the richness of maple syrup, with a hint of vanilla essence for added warmth.

This delightful flan is served chilled with a crunchy pecan and maple yogurt topping, making it an ideal treat to impress your guests or satisfy your own sweet cravings.

Chai Spiced Sweet Potato Pudding

Chai Spiced Sweet Potato Pudding

Let’s talk about this creative dessert that combines the flavors of chai tea with plant-based milk. You can choose from a variety of options like coconut milk, almond milk, hazelnut milk, or any other type that suits your taste. The unique flavor profile is achieved by using chai tea bags to infuse the milk, which then becomes the base for making the pudding.

The pudding itself is made with cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, resulting in a smooth, silky texture and an undeniably delicious taste.

Sweet Potato Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet Potato Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Understandably, you’ll want to try this show-stopper of a dessert that’s made with leftover sweet potatoes and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, adding a perfect contrast of flavors. The combination of cinnamon and brown sugar creates an exceptional caramelized flavor that’s truly indulgent. Not only do the pecans add a delightful nutty taste, but you can also take it to the next level by sprinkling toasted pecans and coconuts on top for added texture and depth.

Sweet Potato And Pancetta Gratin

Sweet Potato And Pancetta Gratin

Bringing a taste of luxury to your dinner party is easier than you think. By making individual gratins in muffin tins, you can achieve perfectly portioned servings that are sure to impress your guests. The combination of crispy salty bacon, sweet potatoes, and melted cheese creates a delightful harmony of flavors. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the cheese – while gruyere is used in this recipe, feel free to experiment with other varieties.

And let’s not forget the rich and creamy element that sets this dish apart: plenty of double cream mixed into the mashed sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato And Chickpea Coconut Curry

Sweet Potato And Chickpea Coconut Curry

Known for their sweet and nutty flavor, sweet potatoes have proven to be a versatile ingredient in this gluten-free and vegan curry. The combination of tender sweet potatoes and chickpeas is elevated by the rich and creamy sauce, making for a truly satisfying dish. You can further enhance its flavor by garnishing it with fresh cilantro and parsley, then serving it over boiled rice.

Summary

Summary
Summary

Generally, sweet potatoes are incredibly adaptable and can be used in a wide range of dishes, from sweet treats to hearty savory meals. With this collection of recipes, you’ll find inspiration for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, catering to various tastes and preferences.

Directions

Simply navigate to the selected recipe, click on its name to access the website associated with it. From there, you can collect the necessary ingredients and begin cooking your chosen dish. Once prepared, be sure to indulge in the finished product and consider leaving a review to help others make informed decisions about their own culinary endeavors.

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