3 unexpected ways to eat sweet potatoes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Sweet potatoes are the classic leggings of the food world—they’re so versatile, you can stick them in your toaster, turn them into enchiladas, and spiralize them to make protein-packed pad thai. (Hungry yet?)

But if you thought all recipe options had been exhausted by now, think again. In his new book, The Sweet Potato Diet, personal trainer Michael Morelli argues that the overachieving root vegetables should have a presence in every dish you make, from breakfast waffles to chili to chocolate chip cookies.

Overkill, much? Maybe not. Morelli’s obsession began when he vowed to replace his usual donuts, pizza, and sugary cereal with sweet potatoes. That move ended up eradicating his lethargy—most likely because they pack a serious amount of fiber to aid in digestion and colon health, help stabilize blood sugar, and promote a healthy immune system. (There’s a reason they were named world’s healthiest veggie.)

Keep reading for 3 genius sweet potato recipes for every meal of the day.

Sweet Potato Protein Pancakes

Yields 6 servings 

Ingredients 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato1 cup protein powder1 cup coconut or almond milk1/4 cup coconut flour1 egg1/2 cup applesauce1 tsp cinnamon1 tsp baking soda1 tsp baking powder1 tsp arrowroot starch

1. Combine all ingredients to create the batter.

2. Cook in a skillet until the sides of the pancake begin to look dry. Flip, then continue to cook on the other side until done.

Sweet Potato Tots

Yields 25 tots (depending on size)

Ingredients
1 small sweet potato, grated1 small sweet potato, mashed1 Tbsp coconut flour1/4 tsp garlic salt1/4 tsp cayenne1/4 tsp paprika1 eggFrank’s RedHot sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Combine ingredients except hot sauce and form into balls.

3. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and place tots on sheet.

4. Bake for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.

5. Once out of the oven, coat with hot sauce while still warm.

BBQ Chicken Burgers

Yields 4 burgers

Ingredients 1 lb. ground chicken1 medium sweet potato, shredded1 cup spinach, chopped1 medium sweet potato, sliced thick

1. Mix the chicken, shredded sweet potato, and spinach, and form into patties.

2. Grill burgers; make sure the thermometer reads 175°F to ensure chicken is fully cooked.

3. Coat the sliced sweet potatoes with olive or coconut oil and place on grill until tender, flipping halfway through.

4. Top burger with sweet potato slices or serve on the side.

Another *sweet* snack: these loaded vegan fries—perfect for your next group gathering. Pair them with one of these Netflix shows for an instant mood boost. 

Each week we spotlight a healthy-delish recipe that’s truly genius (and easy to make) from someone who’s wowed us in the food world. We’re talking buzzy cookbook authors, Instagram foodies, and brilliant chefs. You can find more mouthwatering must-try ideas from the Recipe of the Week archive.