Loaded Sweet Potato Skins with Candied Bacon and a Spicy Basil Cream Sauce
Loaded Sweet Potato Skins with Candied Bacon and a Spicy Basil Cream Sauce is the ultimate appetizer, snack or dinner that will leave you feeling satisfied. The sweet potatoes are stuffed with cheese and bacon and topped with candied bacon for an extra kick of flavor. They're finished off with a spicy basil cream sauce to cool things down for those who can't handle spicy foods!
Ingredients
Loaded Potato Skins
- 4 sweet potatoes medium
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- kosher salt
- 1 c sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 5 strips candied bacon cooked and diced
- drizzle creamy basil sauce
- chives chopped for garnish
Easy Candied Bacon
- ½ lb thick cut bacon
- ¼ c brown sugar
- fresh cracked black pepper
Spicy Basil Cream Sauce
- 1 handful basil leaves
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- ½ c greek yogurt plain
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Loaded Potato Skins
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Line a large baking sheet with foil. Wash and dry each sweet potato and set aside.
- Drizzle olive oil over each sweet potato. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Pierce each sweet potato a few times with a fork. Place the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes. Once finished cooking, allow to cool before handling.
- Once the sweet potatoes are cool to the touch, scoop out the sweet potato flesh, leaving a layer of sweet potato inside. TIP: save the scooped-out sweet potatoes to make sweet potato mashed potatoes for another day.
- Place the potato skins back on the baking sheet face up, sprinkle the potatoes with cheddar cheese and candied bacon.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Serve with spicy basil cream sauce and chopped chives. NOTE: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Easy Candied Bacon
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil or add a wire rack to the baking sheet. Arrange the bacon slices on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the bacon with brown sugar and freshly cracked black pepper. Pat the brown sugar into the bacon so it sticks.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
Spicy Basil Cream Sauce
- Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
Notes
NOTE: You can store the candied bacon in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
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