Forget the chip bowl, these Sweet Potato Bites are your new favorite way to snack. Rounds of sweet potato get roasted until tender and caramelized at the edges, then piled high with creamy avocado mash and crispy bacon. They’re sturdy enough to hold all those toppings and honestly better than any cracker you’d buy at the store.
Sweet potatoes have a way of showing up at every family gathering. There’s something comforting about their natural sweetness and creamy texture. Two favorites are my Sweet Potato Muffins and my Sweet Potato Gnocchi.
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Why this Sweet Potato Bites Recipe is a Keeper
These bites are a keeper because they check every box — easy to make, endlessly customizable, and gone within minutes of hitting the table. They’re the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again, whether it’s game day, a weeknight snack, or just because.
ONLY USE 2-4 OF THE MOST APPLICABLE FEATURES.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Sweet potato rounds stand in for crackers or chips.
- Sweet Meets Savory: Smoky bacon and creamy avocado balance the natural sweetness of the potato.
- Easy Ingredients: Everything here comes from the regular grocery store.
- Crowd-Pleasing: This recipe makes 12 servings, perfect for game day or a holiday spread.
Can I Substitute Yams for Sweet Potatoes for this Appetizer?
Yes, yams work well in this recipe since they’re similar in taste and texture. Slice them the same way and bake using the same times. You may notice a slightly different texture once roasted, but the flavor holds up well. Either option works for this appetizer.
Pro Tip to Make Sweet Potato Bites
Avocado mash browns quickly once it’s exposed to air. If you’re making this ahead, store the avocado pit right in the container with the mash to help keep it green longer.
Ingredient Notes for Sweet Potato Recipe
A few ingredients make this appetizer taste balanced instead of one-note sweet.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Sweet Potatoes: Slice the sweet potatoes into even rounds so each bite bakes at the same rate.
- Avocados: Use ripe avocados that give slightly under gentle pressure for the smoothest mash.
- Smoked Paprika: This adds a subtle smokiness that pairs well with the bacon.
Variations and Substitutions for Sweet Potato Appetizer
This appetizer is easy to adapt to different diets and tastes.
➡️ Make it Vegetarian: Swap the bacon for crispy mushrooms or a meatless bacon alternative.
➡️ Add Cheese: Top with goat cheese, ricotta, or a drizzle of sour cream.
➡️ Swap the Herb: Use parsley instead of cilantro if you’re not a cilantro fan.
➡️Sweet: Make like a sweet potato casserole by adding pecan halves and marshmallow and toast.
How to Make the Sweet Potato Side Dish Recipe
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Preheat Oven: Roast the sweet potato rounds until tender and lightly browned.
- Avocado: Mash the avocado with lime juice and seasoning.
- Top: Top each roasted sweet potato round with avocado mash.
- Garnish: Finish with bacon and fresh cilantro before serving.
Short Cut and Make Ahead Tips and Tricks
A little prep ahead for these sweet potato bites makes party day much easier.
➡️ Roast the Potatoes Early: Bake the sweet potato rounds a day ahead and reheat before assembling.
➡️ Make the Mash Ahead: Prepare the avocado mash and store it with the pit to keep it fresh.
➡️ Cook the Bacon in Bulk: Cook extra bacon and keep it crumbled in the fridge for quick assembly.
Alternate Cooking Methods for this Appetizer or Side Dish
No oven space? The air fryer works just as well.
- Air Fryer: Roast the sweet potato rounds at 425 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes on aluminum foil, until fork-tender.
What Do My Sweet Potato Bites Pair Well With?
Sweet potato pairs well with bold, warm flavors like garlic, rosemary, and onion. A touch of acid, like lime or vinegar, balances its natural sweetness.
This appetizer leans into that balance with smoky bacon, creamy avocado, and a squeeze of lime. Feel free to add nuts or a drizzle of maple syrup for even more contrast.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Sweet Potato Dish
- Storing: Keep the sweet potato and avocado mash in separate airtight containers, store in the refrigerator for up to three days
- Reheating: Warm the sliced sweet potato in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, or in the air fryer for five to eight minutes.
- Using Leftovers: Mash leftover avocado into a quick dip. Or serve extra sweet potato as candied sweet potatoes with melted butter, marshmallows and pecans for a thanksgiving side dish.
Expert Tips for Making This Sweet Potato Bite Appetizer Recipe
I love to place them on a company-worthy serving platter in a pretty single layer. A nice change from traditional sweet potatoes.
➡️ Slice Evenly: Uniform rounds bake at the same rate so nothing burns or undercooks.
➡️ Double the Sweet Potato Bites for a Crowd: Split the batch across two baking sheets so the rounds roast evenly.
➡️ Try Different Toppings: Goat cheese, sour cream, or a drizzle of honey all work well here.
➡️ Use Fresh Lime: Fresh lime juice brightens the avocado mash more than bottled juice.
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Sweet Potato Bites with Avocado and Bacon
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Ingredients
- 4 slices Bacon, cooked and diced
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil, divided
- 2 Large sweet potatoes, sliced into rounds
- 1½ teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning Blend, to taste, divided
- 2 Avocados
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice
- ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉ and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Brush the foil with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
- Slice the sweet potatoes into ¼-inch rounds and arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of the sweet potato rounds with another tablespoon of olive oil and season with half the All Purpose Seasoning Blend.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip each round and bake for 10 more minutes, until tender and lightly browned.
- Mash the avocados in a small bowl with a fork.
- Stir in the lime juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and remaining All Purpose Seasoning Blend.
- Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and top each round with a dollop of avocado mash.
- Sprinkle with the bacon and fresh cilantro, then serve immediately.
Christina’s Notes
- Roast Until Fork-Tender: Undercooked sweet potato rounds won’t hold up to toppings, so make sure they’re fully tender before assembling.
- Mash the Avocado Right Before Serving: Avocado browns fast, so wait until close to serving time to mix it.
- Keep Toppings Off Until Serving: Adding bacon and avocado too early can make the sweet potato rounds soggy.
- Store Components Separately: Keep the potatoes, mash, and bacon in separate containers so nothing turns mushy in the fridge.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.