With the holidays fast approaching, you may be looking for ways to host a beautiful dinner without stressing out. The best Thanksgiving dinner menu finds the balance between decadent feasting and realistic oven timing. You may want to prep your meal ahead of time or skip a few unnecessary steps, like sifting flour or peeling potatoes.

One simple way to save time is to leave the skin on your sweet potatoes. Can you eat sweet potato skin? Yes, it’s safe to eat—and tasty too. Eating sweet potatoes with the skin on saves prep time while adding nutrients and texture to recipes.

Is it safe to eat sweet potato skin?

Yes, it’s safe to eat sweet potato skin. Whether you roast them, mash them or fry them, sweet potatoes with skin provide loads of nutrients and flavors. Sweet potatoes may be orange, white, or purple, and the skin is safe to eat on all types. Just be sure to wash them first; scrub your potatoes under cool running water.

Is sweet potato skin healthy?

Yes, sweet potato skin is healthy, and leaving it on your spuds adds nutrients to your meal. Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, and these nutrients are most concentrated in the skin. A 2021 study found that peeling sweet potatoes cuts the fiber content by up to 64%. Fiber is an important nutrient for all of us. It lowers the risk of heart disease and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Sweet potatoes are also rich in antioxidants like beta carotene and vitamins C and E. These compounds prevent damage to our cells and even lower the risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease and cancer. Most of the antioxidants in sweet potatoes are located in the underrated, hard-working skin.

What to Do with Sweet Potato Skin

There are endless ways to enjoy sweet potato skins. You can’t go wrong with the lazy (and smart) technique of simply leaving the skin on sweet potato recipes like these:

Feeling a bit more adventurous? Convert your beloved bacon cheddar potato skins into baked sweet potato skins. The only sweet potato dishes that need peeled potatoes? Most sweet potato dessert recipes are better without the skin. No one wants to bite into a creamy slice of sweet potato pie and be met with a mouthful of rough skin.

Be sure to avoid these other sweet potato mistakes too. Now break out those yams and toss your peeler. It’s time for tasty, nutritious side dishes!

Our Best Sweet Potato Recipes
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