These chunky monkey stuffed sweet potatoes are loaded with gooey caramelized bananas and melted dark chocolate before being topped with a creamy banana nut sauce. They’re a delicious gluten-free and vegan treat that tastes decadent while still being healthy!
It’s the first week of March and I’m posting a stuffed sweet potato recipe. But here’s my line of thinking…
March has Easter. Easter has the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny likes carrots. Carrots are orange. I already did carrots. But sweet potatoes are orange too. Therefore, sweet potatoes belong in March.
Yeah? You totally see where I’m coming from, right?
If not, then how about this one –> I’m posting stuffed sweet potatoes in March because I didn’t want to wait another *counts on fingers* seven months until fall comes around again to share this amazingness with you…
Chunky monkey stuffed sweet potatoes. Oh yes. I went there. And it blew.my.MIND.
So let’s break things down nice and proper.
First, we’ve got our lovely baked sweet potatoes…
They’re sweet, they’re fluffy, and they’re literally begging to be stuffed. Begging.
Now, I know most people tend to go the savoury route with their sweet potatoes and load up on things like beans, rice, and cheese, but you guys know me – you know I’m always looking for ways to sneak that sweetness in there.
Actually, the first sweet potato I ever had was sweet. It was topped with maple syrup, almond butter, and cinnamon, and I continued eating them like that for years before I learned that you can eat them in savoury dishes – I remember this because it was only something like 5 years ago that I had my first one. And while I do love them with veggies, beans, and salsa, I love them even more with chocolate, bananas, and nuts…
… which is why these chunky monkey stuffed sweet potatoes have been rocking my world lately.
Picture this… the light and fluffy flesh of a sweet potato paired with gooey caramelized banana and melted dark chocolate, then topped with a creamy banana nut sauce that’s guaranteed to make you weak in the knees. It might not exactly be something you’d whip up for lunch or dinner (confession: I totally have), but as far decadent-but-still-healthy treats go? This one’s a winner – a podium finisher, even.
It’s naturally gluten-free, can easily be made vegan, and can even be nut-free if you replace the nut butter in the sauce with something like soy nut or sunflower. These guys are ridiculously easy to make for how fancy they taste, and while there is a bit of wait time involved, the actual hands-on and cleanup time is minimal.
Now this is the part where I ask you why you’re still here reading this and not in your kitchen making these… hmmmmm?!?
Happy eating!
I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!
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Chunky Monkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the stuffed sweet potatoes:
- 2 medium sweet potato (~150 g each)
- 1 medium, ripe banana, thinly sliced (about 100 g or 1/2 cup of slices)
- 1 Tbsp. (15 g) dark chocolate chips/chunks
For the banana nut sauce:**
- 1 Tbsp (16 g) nut butter*
- 1/2 medium, ripe banana, mashed (50 g or 1/4 cup mashed)
- splash of almond milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F (205C). Wash and dry your sweet potatoes, and prick them all over with a fork before placing them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and baking for 45 minutes, or until soft and tender. Remove the sweet potatoes from your oven and let them stand for about 10 minutes, or until they’re cool enough to handle.*** Reduce oven temp. to 350F (175C).
- Use a sharp knife to put a deep slice in each sweet potato, cutting lengthwise and making sure not to cut all the way through. You want to create a little “bowl,” so leave enough of the bottom in tact so that it can support your fillings. Use a fork to “fluff up” the flesh.
- Divide the banana slices between the two sweet potatoes, making sure the slices are sitting in there nice and snug, and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the banana slices have caramelized and the chocolate chips are all melty.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by mashing the banana in a small bowl before adding a spoonful of nut butter. Mix until smooth, adding a splash of almond milk to reach your desired consistency.
- When sweet potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before drizzling them with the banana nut sauce and any additional toppings of choice.
Notes
* I used a natural almond butter, but feel free to use whichever nut or seed butter is your favourite. ** If you prefer, you can skip the banana in the sauce and just use nut butter. ** You can also do this ahead of time and simply skip to step 2 when you’re ready to enjoy your stuffed sweet potatoes. I like to bake up a big batch so that they’re ready to go when I need them.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
Looking for more sweet potato recipes? Try one of these!
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos
Flourless Sweet Potato Brownies
Baked Egg Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Two Minute Sweet Potato Brownie
Sweet Potato Greek Yogurt Pancakes
i;ve been looking for something new to do with sweet potatoes! cant wait to try this out! never thought to pair all these things together, sweet potatoes as a dessert…why not?!
Omg wowwww. This looks insane! To be honest I don’t pair sweet flavours with sweet potatoes that often – occasionally I’ll put almond butter on them, but for the most part I do them savoury. This recipe has convinced me I need to do them sweet more often!
AMANDA!!!! My mind is so blown I am almost (but not quite, lol!) speechless! Two of my most favorite things (your take on chunky monkey + *sweet potatoes*!)!!! I wanted these for breakfast or lunch, or heck, dinner, but I have no whole sweet potatoes on hand. I am currently out-of-town at my aunt’s house, and I left two sweet potatoes at home that are calling my name, and I know that these will be happening proto upon my arrival home. But actually I might not make it till then, so maybe a trip to the store is in order.
You always come up with the best recipe ideas…I don’t know how you do it, but it’s always delicious!
This is one of my go to desserts! Love it
Whoa. I’ve never been a huge fan of making sweet potatoes actually sweet…but this might change my mind. I’ve never baked a sweet potato whole either, I usually only roast them. Or make noodles out of them!
Caramelized bananas might just be the key to my heart.
Although I am holding off on my Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe until next Fall, which is totally different from yours. Granted I need to test it some more so that might have something to do with it.
Have a great time this weekend.
I always admire your ability to hold off on on the good stuff. I can’t do it. This is why I post smoothies in the middle of winter and baked oats in the summer
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a sweet potato with sweet toppings, which seems kind of crazy now that I think about it since sweet is right there in the name . These look incredible!
Ohhhhhh MAN. I am 100% with you on the sweet > savory, just in general. I have yet to get too creative with the sweet side of the stuffed sweet potato, but this is the perfect recipe, even if it does involve chocolate
And I kinda wish I got that carotene-orange tinge from eating lots of orange foods. Just because that would be funny and cool #geek.
I’ve been eating sweet potatoes and avocado this past week which has been fabulous, but this recipe wants me to eat it! I’ve only had sweet sweet potatoes at restaurants and usually my preferred method is sweet potato fries. However I have seen this almond butter and sweet potato trend which looks great…but I forget about it every time I make sweet potatoes. I need to make this recipe! Thanks Amanda xoxoxo
You’re seriously going to love it! Even just topped with almond butter and a little bit of cinnamon – to.die.for.
oh my gosh. you know my thoughts on sweet potatoes and you pretty much just…I have no words.
Well, I do. Eyebrows on fleek.
Oh man I need these in my life!!! This combines legit my favorite foods. I wonder if this would be good with Japanese sweet potatoes because that’s what I always buy now.
I’m *drooling*! This looks delicious.
I can only imagine how good these are going to be. Im going to add some peanut butter chips too. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
These look incredible! Sweet potatoes are the best.
I love, love, LOVE using sweet potatoes like this. I often just top them with almond butter, but this is a whole new level!
I love sweet sweet potatoes way more!! This sounds right up my alley!
Who cares if it’s March! You know people buy sweet potatoes all year long. I do, at least. The addiction can’t be tamed. And I have a feeling once I try this combo, it’s going to be even worse, lol. It looks amazing!
Haha! That’s actually what I was thinking — us healthy living [food] bloggers are always eating sweet potatoes. They feel a little less autumnal than something like pumpkin.
I don’t know what it is but I cannot get on board with the whole sweet potato thing! I LOVE white potatoes, but baked sweet potatoes just don’t do it for me. Maybe I haven’t tried them the right way?!
I’m not really -crazy- about them either and definitely prefer white potatoes, but with nut butter, bananas, and chocolate? It doesn’t really feel like a sweet potato anymore.
Oh man, at first I thought the dark parts were black beans and I thought- no way, not in my sweet potato! Scrolling down, I was so happy to read that is was chocolate- now we’re talking! LOL
Eheh! I don’t think I’m brave enough to try and mix sweet and savoury in these guys. Something about beans and bananas just doesn’t sound right
Oh these look so good. I gave up nuts and all that goes along with them for Lent so this might be part of my Easter feast, haha!
Ooooh that’s definitely a good Lenten offering! And sweet potatoes and chocolate are totally Easter foods
Omg these sound amazing. I’ve been having them with almond butter and cinnamon lately, but this is a whole other level!
Seriously! AB and cinnamon was my go-to as well, but let’s be real — you can never go wrong with chocolate
This is a really good combination. I always think sweet potatoes and peanut butter go well together! I never would have thought to add bananas too.
I’m honestly not even sure what brought the idea to mind. I guess I just sit around thinking about what I could chunky monkey-fy
I usually just smother my sweet potatoes in cashew butter and it’s dreamy. This, however, looks insane(ly awesome) and is sooo happening soon.
Awesome!I hope you like it
This is so smart! I’d never even think to do this, but it sure makes sense to me! I wonder if my kids will think I’m trying to trick them into eating vegetables? Or… I could top ALL of their veggies with bananas and chocolate! Ha ha! Okay maybe that won’t work for broccoli.
Chocolate covered broccoli! You never know
I’m actually wondering if that would work with roasted brussels sprouts. With a little bit of sea salt, maybe? Hmm…
Yes, your explanation for posting this right now makes perfect sense
. I’m not huge on sweet potatoes but chunky monkey-fying them sounds all kinds of good.
Also, I eat so many carrots daily that my “tan” has evoked comments several times already. It’s a little embarrassing but I can’t help my carrot cravings.
I always thought that I managed to keep the orange at bay, but when I compared my palms with the palms of a friend… yeaaaaah. Definitely a little on the oompa loompa side of things.
Wow…I’m drooling. These look amazing! I love chunky monkey things but would never have thought to pair it with sweet potatoes!
Thanks Michelle! I was seriously surprised at how good the banana and sweet potato combo was.
hmmm this looks so amazing minus the bananas! what would make a good sub for the banana…i need to brainstorm!
Blasphemy! Kidding
But I’m honestly not sure. Hmmmm. I can’t think of anything that would be exactly the same, but I bet something like granola would be amazing!
haha i know!! i wish i liked them!! Ill try the granola!
I love making sweet potatoes in a decadent way! Lately I have been having them pb&j style with added bananas! Bananas I think make this dish! Can’t wait to trade in my raspberries for some chocolate and try this out!
Ok that seriously sounds amazing as well. I’ll have to try that! Except with almond butter
Sweet potatoes don’t need a certain time or reason, they’re always relevant <3 I usually go the sweet route with sweet potatoes and this combo is killin it for me!! I usually keep it simple with jsut tahini mixed with a bit of maple, but sometimes I get crazy and add bananas and granola too.
!!! I need to pick up some more tahini. I’m not a huge fan of it on it’s own, but mixed with something like maple syrup or honey? Ah.maze.ing.
I almost always jump start the potatoes in the microwave. Prick ’em, and then cook for a couple minutes, then flip and cook for a couple more.
Thanks for the tip! I didn’t grow up with a microwave so I’m a complete noob when it comes to cooking in it. I’ll have to give that a shot to save some time!
The caramelized banana looks insaaaane! Love it! I always think of “sweet” sweet potatoes being for Thanksgiving but that is going to change this weekend. Perfect for after a long run!
The crazy thing is that I’ve never had sweet sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving… in fact, they weren’t even part of our Thanksgivings when I was growing up — I’ve never even tried them with marshmallows!
Your obsession with chunky monkey recipes reminds me of my obsession with citrus. Not that there is anything wrong with EITHER. Both have yielded quite incredible recipes, which is the point, right?
Seriously that chocolate inside has me drooling….
I literally sit around thinking about what I can chunky monkey-fy next
And you’ve seriously got me craving citrus. I’m poppin’ those little Cuties like nobody’s business.
I love going sweet with my sweet potatoes! I have done something similar to this – only using roasted sweet potato wedges. so so good! I really like snacks like this as my dessert the night before a race! and I haven’t turned orange yet – rather surprising.
I never thought that I did either, but then I compared my palms with a friend’s and yeah… they were a little orangey.
You can turn orange!!! If you drink fresh carrot juice and then go out in the sun for awhile, your skin will get a nice orangy glow!
Hmmmm. I’m so pale at this point that I’m willing to give that a shot. Now if only the sun would actually come out…
Whaaaa? This is genius. I would think it’s worth turning orange for this.
It’s how I keep my tan in the winter… except somehow I still end up looking like Casper
Oh…my…word…enough said.
#agreed
Can I eat this for breakfast?! haha cause I’m gonna! So much perfection on one plate! Also, do you use a 50mm lens?! Love all your close-up photos:)
Uhm… heck yes you can eat this for breakfast! Healthy carbs, healthy fats, and a little bit of antioxidants from the chocolate
And yup! I use a 50 f/1.4.
This recipe is insane in the best, most delicious way possible! Wowza!
Aww thanks lady! Also… hi!! *waves manically*
What are the calorie count per serving on the chunky monkeunsweer potatoes…they look beyond BOMB