Not your average game-day appetizer—these loaded Sweet Potato Nachos are elevated with a creamy avocado crema. Enjoy them with a fork or your fingers and savor every bite.
This recipe was originally published April 2018 and updated February 2022.
These sweet potato nachos are a fun, flavor-packed twist on classic nachos. The base of roasted sweet potato rounds adds sweetness and texture while the avocado crema brings a fresh, tangy finish. They’re perfect for game day or any time you’re craving a hearty snack.
Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Nachos
- Simple to make. Roast sweet potato rounds, add toppings, broil until the cheese melts, and finish with avocado crema. Easy and impressive.
- Veggie-forward and full of flavor. This recipe highlights vegetables without pretending to be a chip substitute—just another delicious way to enjoy nachos. You can also mix in tortilla chips if you want a crunchier variation.
- Highly customizable. Swap or add toppings—meat, extra veggies, or different cheeses—to make these everyone’s favorite.
Ingredients Overview
Below are the main components you’ll need. Exact measurements are in the ingredient list in the recipe card.
- Sweet potatoes: 2 small/medium or 1 large. For crispier results, avoid overlapping slices and consider using two sheet pans.
- Olive oil: or your preferred cooking oil.
- Spices: garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, plus salt and pepper. Smoked paprika adds an important depth—don’t skip it.
- Cheese: Freshly shredded melts best. Monterey Jack is great; a spicy cheese adds heat. Vegan cheese also works.
- Toppings: corn, black beans, tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, sour cream, and the avocado crema. Make it your own.
Avocado Crema Ingredients
- Ripe avocado — smooth and soft like for guacamole.
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt — sour cream yields a richer crema.
- Garlic — fresh clove or garlic powder.
- Lime juice — freshly squeezed; a bit of zest is nice too.
- Cilantro — adds bright herbaceous flavor.
- Salt and pepper — to taste. A pinch of cumin can be added for warmth.
How to Make Sweet Potato Nachos
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch rounds (thinner for extra crispiness). Toss with olive oil and spices and spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Roast for about 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Cook longer for crispier edges or keep to 20 minutes for softer centers. While the potatoes roast, prepare the avocado crema.
- Pull the roasted sweet potatoes toward the center of the pan and top with cheese, black beans, and corn.
- Switch oven to Broil on high and broil 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts—watch closely, it melts quickly.
- Remove from oven and finish with jalapeños, cilantro, chopped green onions, sour cream, avocado crema, diced tomatoes, or any other favorite toppings. Serve immediately with a squeeze of lime if desired.
Sharing is optional—these nachos are easy to enjoy with a group or on your own. A squeeze of fresh lime brightens the dish at serving.
Recipe Tips
- Shred fresh cheese when possible. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that reduce meltability. Freshly grated cheese melts smoother and tastes better.
- For crispier rounds, slice thin. Slices thinner than 1/4 inch will crisp more and hold up as finger food. A mandolin helps achieve even thin slices. You can also air-fry the slices for extra crispiness.
- Want chips in the mix? Dice roasted sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces and roast. Layer tortilla chips on a sheet pan, add cheese, beans, corn, and the roasted sweet potato pieces, then broil and top as usual.
Other Topping Ideas
The topping possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to customize your nachos:
- Pico de gallo or salsa
- Guacamole or extra avocado
- Sliced black olives
- Pickled red onions or other pickled vegetables
- Protein: shredded rotisserie chicken, taco-seasoned ground meat, cubed steak, or shredded pork
- Hot sauce to taste
- Grilled onions and peppers
Try These Game-Day Recipes
- Spicy Mango Guacamole
- BBQ Ranch Chicken Flatbread
- Pesto Turkey Pinwheels with Smoked Provolone
- Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Smoky Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
- Avocado Cowboy Caviar
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Sweet Potato Nachos with Avocado Crema
By: Lorie Yarro
Loaded sweet potato rounds, melted cheese, beans and a bright avocado crema make these nachos irresistible.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Rounds
- 2 small/medium sweet potatoes
- 1 T olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
- 1/4–1/2 tsp sea salt
For the Avocado Crema
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
- 1/4 tsp sea salt, to taste
Nacho Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or favorite cheese)
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed
- 1 cup corn
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Rinse and slice sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch rounds (thinner for extra crispiness). Toss with olive oil and spices and arrange on a parchment-lined sheet pan so slices aren’t touching.
- Bake about 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until edges crisp and centers soften.
- Meanwhile, prepare the avocado crema: combine avocado, sour cream (or yogurt), lime juice, cilantro, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, adding a splash of water if needed to reach desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- After roasting, pull sweet potato rounds together in the center of the pan and layer with corn, black beans and shredded cheese.
- Set oven to Broil on high and broil 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted—watch closely.
- Remove from oven and top with jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, sour cream and avocado crema. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
Notes
- Freshly shredded cheese melts best. If possible, grate your own cheese for a smoother melt.
- Thin slices crisp best. Slice thinner than 1/4 inch for finger-food style nachos or use a mandolin for even slices. Air frying is another option for extra crispiness.
- Want a chip-style version? Dice roasted sweet potatoes, roast until crisp, then layer with chips, cheese, beans and corn on a sheet pan and broil. Top and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 501 kcal
Carbohydrates: 49 g
Protein: 19 g
Fat: 28 g
Fiber: 12 g
Carbohydrates: 49 g
Protein: 19 g
Fat: 28 g
Fiber: 12 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.
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