Sweet Potato Apple Hash
This Sweet Potato Apple Hash is a quick, one-skillet side dish that combines naturally sweet potatoes and crisp apples with butter and cinnamon for a comforting fall flavor. Requiring no oven space and ready in minutes, it’s the perfect light, naturally sweet alternative for holiday tables, brunch, or a cozy weeknight meal.
If your holiday table feels crowded with heavy casseroles, this Sweet Potato Apple Hash is the lighter, brighter side dish you didn’t know how much you needed. It’s overflowing with cozy fall flavors—sweet potatoes and crisp apples—yet comes together in one skillet, in just minutes. Whether you’re scurrying on Thanksgiving morning, searching for that perfect brunch dish, or just craving something a little sweet-savory and simple, this is sure to become a new favorite.
Why this recipe is a must-try:
- Fresh sweet potato and apple flavors are naturally sweet and comforting, with just enough cinnamon and butter for all the warmth of fall—without any heaviness.
- No oven required, no casserole stress—just honest ingredients, quick skillet cooking, and a clean finish.
- Perfect for holiday mornings, brunch sides, or whenever your soul needs a little autumn cheer with less guilt.
There’s something wonderful about discovering a new way to enjoy classic ingredients. While sweet potato casseroles have their well-earned place, sometimes the season calls for something easy—and Sweet Potato Apple Hash answers it beautifully. This little skillet side is born for Thanksgiving mornings, brisk brunches, or whenever the oven’s already overflowing. Two simple ingredients, a touch of butter, and just a sprinkle of cinnamon work their magic in minutes. It’s wholesome and humble, but mighty in flavor.
If you’ve never paired sweet potatoes and apples, trust me: their togetherness might just surprise you. The apples bring a light, juicy sweetness. The sweet potatoes caramelize and soften. The cinnamon ties it all up with a bow. It’s the kind of dish that leaves your kitchen smelling like fall, and your heart feeling just a bit fuller.
Can I make this ahead?
Sweet Potato Apple Hash is best fresh, but you can chop the sweet potatoes and apples ahead, keep them in the fridge, and cook right before serving.
Can I use other apple varieties?
Yes! Honeycrisp brings extra sweetness, but Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala work beautifully, too.
What about making it dairy-free?
Swap the butter for olive oil or your favorite plant-based butter. The flavors will still sing.
Can I make more for a crowd?
Absolutely. Just use a bigger skillet and add a dash more butter and cinnamon. You may need a few extra minutes for everything to soften up.
Can I add more spices?
Feel free! Try a pinch of nutmeg, clove, or ginger. Just keep the spices gentle so those fresh flavors shine through.
Is this sweet enough without brown sugar?
Most folks find the apples and sweet potatoes sweet on their own, but add a sprinkle of brown sugar (or maple syrup) if you really want it to feel dessert-like.
Sweet Potato Apple Hash
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes adjust by size; use equal parts apple and sweet potato
- 2 medium apples Mary Katherine recommends Honeycrisp for extra sweetness, but any kind will work
- 2 tablespoons salted butter unsalted is fine too
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon added in two parts, to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons brown sugar for extra sweetness, if desired
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes. Slice them into bite-sized pieces, about ¾ inch thick. Wash, trim, and remove any bad spots.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt.
- Add sweet potatoes to the skillet and sprinkle with about ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Stir to coat.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and let the sweet potatoes cook for 3–4 minutes while prepping apples.
- Peel, core, and slice apples into bite-sized chunks, similar in size to sweet potato pieces.
- Stir sweet potatoes, then add apples directly to the skillet. Add another ½ tablespoon butter and sprinkle another ½ teaspoon cinnamon on top.
- (Optional) Sprinkle brown sugar over the mixture if a sweeter dish is desired; otherwise, simply rely on the natural sweetness of apples and sweet potatoes.
- Continue cooking and stirring for another 3–4 minutes, until both sweet potatoes and apples are tender and lightly caramelized (taste a sweet potato piece to check doneness).
- Turn off the heat, transfer to a serving bowl, and enjoy immediately—no oven space required!
Video
Notes
- The recipe is forgiving: use more or less sweet potato or apple as available. • Honeycrisp apples bring a lovely extra sweetness, but any apple works.
- A touch of brown sugar is optional—let the fruit and vegetable sweetness shine if you prefer a lighter side.
- The whole dish comes together in about eight minutes on the stove and makes a great lighter option for holiday meals, brunch, or any cozy day.
This look great. Have you ever tried it with bacon?
I have not, but I’m sure that would be delicious! Let me know if you try it that way. 🙂
Absolutely loved this recipe! Even liked it cold! So easy! Prepping the apples takes the longest! But very impressed with this recipe and have shared it with others. Because of using sweeter apples, I even cut back on the sugars in the recipe and it was still wonderful! But everyone has their sweetness levels! Thank you so much for sharing!