Loaded Sweet Potato Skins Marshmallow

Featured in: Gather & Share

Enjoy sweet potato skins filled with a buttery mash, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cheddar, then baked until golden. A warm marshmallow drizzle adds a gooey finish atop each stuffed skin. Chopped pecans provide crunch while fresh chives and flaky sea salt give extra flavor. This creative appetizer is both sweet and savory, suitable for brunch, celebrations, or as a comforting vegetarian treat. Easily adaptable for nut-free or tangier flavors, and pairs well with sparkling or gently sweet wines.

Updated on Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:34:12 GMT
Golden Loaded Sweet Potato Skins, melting cheese and marshmallow drizzle glistening under bright light. Pin
Golden Loaded Sweet Potato Skins, melting cheese and marshmallow drizzle glistening under bright light. | kitchenprairie.com

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins with Marshmallow Drizzle are my answer when I want something crowd-pleasing and a little over-the-top These are sweet potato boats brimming with creamy spiced filling crispy edges and a gooey marshmallow finish that makes them irresistible at any gathering Sweet and savory mingle in every bite and they always disappear fast

The first time I brought these to a holiday potluck they vanished before anything else I love that even picky eaters ask for the recipe

Ingredients

  • Sweet potatoes: Provide the velvety canvas Choose ones that are firm and heavy for their size with no bruises for best flavor and texture
  • Unsalted butter: Brings richness to the filling Use fresh good quality butter for smooth mixing
  • Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and a subtle holiday aroma Freshly ground if you have it makes a difference
  • Sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors A flaky finishing salt elevates the final bite
  • Brown sugar: Delivers a caramel note Choose moist dark brown sugar for deeper taste
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: Offers a savory sharp contrast Go for good block cheddar you shred yourself for better melt
  • Chopped pecans: Add crunch and buttery nutty flavor Toast lightly before adding for extra depth optional
  • Mini marshmallows: Create gooey sweet drizzle Look for brands with a short ingredient list or vegan options if needed
  • Milk: Helps create a pourable drizzle Any unsweetened plant-based milk also works
  • Fresh chives: Give color and light oniony brightness optional
  • Flaky sea salt for sprinkling: Finishes with a burst of texture and flavor

Instructions

Prep and roast the sweet potatoes:
Preheat your oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit Place parchment paper on a sturdy baking sheet Prick each potato all over with a fork to help steam escape Place spaced apart on the sheet and roast forty to forty five minutes until a fork slides in easily and skins puffed
Cool and halve the potatoes:
Remove hot potatoes from oven and allow to cool just enough to handle With a sharp knife slice each lengthwise into two even halves
Scoop and save the flesh:
Using a spoon gently scoop out most of the sweet interior leaving a thin quarter inch layer inside the skin to keep skins intact as shells
Mix the filling:
In a large bowl mash together the scooped sweet potato flesh with melted butter cinnamon sea salt and brown sugar Work the mixture until silky smooth and well combined Fold in cheddar cheese and pecans saving a bit of cheese to top later
Stuff and bake again:
Heap the filling back into each skin spreading evenly and piling slightly higher in the middle Nestle filled skins back on baking sheet and return to hot oven for ten minutes to reheat and melt cheese
Make marshmallow drizzle:
While potato skins bake place mini marshmallows and milk in a saucepan over lowest heat Stir slowly until marshmallows become smooth and pourable If drizzle seems too thick add another splash of milk
Finish assembly:
Remove hot sweet potato skins from oven and place on a serving platter Immediately drizzle glossy marshmallow sauce over each skin Finish with chopped chives and a pinch of flaky sea salt before serving
Serve and enjoy:
Offer these warm when the filling is gooey and the drizzle is soft Each bite is best eaten with fingers warm and messy
Savory-sweet Loaded Sweet Potato Skins: warm, soft sweet potato overflowing with cheesy pecan filling. Pin
Savory-sweet Loaded Sweet Potato Skins: warm, soft sweet potato overflowing with cheesy pecan filling. | kitchenprairie.com

Cheddar is hands down my favorite add-in for sharp cheesy pull but my kids love sneaking extra marshmallows over the top It always sparks laughter when they see the gooey drizzle stretching from pan to plate

Storage Tips

Store assembled but undrizzled sweet potato skins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days Reheat gently in a low oven to keep the skin crisp and only add the marshmallow drizzle before serving For longer storage freeze the stuffed skins after step five wrapped tightly and thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap cheddar for goat cheese for a tangy creamy contrast Feta or blue cheese also work for bold flavor Omit pecans for nut free or replace with roasted pumpkin seeds Marshmallow drizzle can be made with vegan marshmallows and plant milk For those avoiding dairy use plant-based butter and cheese

Serving Suggestions

These are showstopping as appetizers at fall gatherings or Friendsgiving They also make a satisfying brunch alongside leafy greens or a creamy soup Cut smaller for party platters or serve as a unique vegetarian entree topped with more nuts or seeds

Cultural and Seasonal Flexibility

Sweet potato and marshmallow is a classic American holiday pairing but this finger-food format feels fresh for game days backyard parties or cozy movie nights For autumn use local orchard apples diced in with the filling or a sprinkle of pumpkin spice in place of cinnamon In spring add fresh herbs for brightness

Close-up of a gooey Loaded Sweet Potato Skin with a toasted marshmallow topping presentation. Pin
Close-up of a gooey Loaded Sweet Potato Skin with a toasted marshmallow topping presentation. | kitchenprairie.com

One year these upstaged the main course at Thanksgiving Kids and adults who claimed not to like sweet potatoes asked for seconds They have a way of making you the star cook of any event

Recipe Questions & Answers

Can these sweet potato skins be made nut-free?

Yes. Simply omit the pecans from the filling for a nut-free version. All other ingredients will work.

What cheese alternatives work well in the filling?

Goat cheese or crumbled feta are tangy substitutes for cheddar, offering a unique flavor twist.

How do I achieve smooth marshmallow drizzle?

Melt mini marshmallows gently with milk over low heat, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and pourable.

Can these skins be prepared in advance?

The sweet potatoes and filling can be prepared ahead, but drizzle with marshmallow right before serving for best texture.

What wines pair well?

Lightly sweet Riesling or sparkling wines complement the sweet and savory flavors of the dish.

How do I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?

Use plant-based milk and vegetarian marshmallows. Skip or replace cheese for a vegan variation.

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins Marshmallow

Savory sweet potato skins with gooey marshmallow and cheddar, ideal for parties or relaxed snacking.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
50 min
Complete duration
70 min


Skill level Medium

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Diet specifications Vegetarian, Without gluten

Components

Sweet Potatoes

01 3 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed and dried

Filling

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
02 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
03 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
04 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
05 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional

Marshmallow Drizzle

01 1 cup mini marshmallows
02 1 tablespoon milk or plant-based alternative

Toppings

01 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, optional
02 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Baking Sheet and Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Bake Sweet Potatoes: Pierce sweet potatoes several times with a fork. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until fork tender.

Phase 03

Cool and Halve Sweet Potatoes: Remove sweet potatoes from the oven. Let them cool slightly, then cut each potato in half lengthwise.

Phase 04

Scoop Out and Mash Flesh: Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch border inside each skin. Transfer the flesh to a mixing bowl.

Phase 05

Prepare Sweet Potato Filling: Mash the sweet potato flesh with melted butter, ground cinnamon, sea salt, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and chopped pecans, if using.

Phase 06

Fill and Bake Potato Skins: Spoon the prepared filling back into the sweet potato skins, mounding slightly. Return filled skins to the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted.

Phase 07

Prepare Marshmallow Drizzle: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt mini marshmallows with milk, stirring continuously, until the mixture is smooth and pourable.

Phase 08

Finish and Garnish: Remove sweet potato skins from the oven. Drizzle with the melted marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle with chopped chives and flaky sea salt.

Phase 09

Serve: Present warm for optimal texture and flavor.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Fork
  • Mixing bowls
  • Saucepan
  • Spoon

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cheddar, butter, milk) and tree nuts (pecans, if included). Mini marshmallows may contain gelatin—verify labeling for vegetarian or vegan suitability. Confirm each ingredient for allergen presence if sensitive.

Nutrient content (each portion)

This data is offered as a general guide and isn't a substitute for professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 235
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Protein: 4 g