Barbecue Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes

Barbecue Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes deserve a spot on your roster of Easy Dinner Recipes.

There isn’t much better than a baked potato loaded with a savory filling and cheese. The nice thing about that formula is that you can create so many different dishes just by swapping out one or two ingredients.

One of my favorite ways to eat a stuffed potato is with barbecue. Sometimes that means slow-smoked pork shoulder or brisket. Other times, the meat comes from the refrigerated section in a tub. It might also be a roast or some chicken I’ve cooked, shredded, and smothered in barbecue sauce.

I’ve even discovered that you can get pulled pork in a pouch, just like chicken or tuna. That’s actually what I used for this version.

Barbecue Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes become a delicious and savory main dish with piled high with cheese, barbecue and french fried onions

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 2-4

Category: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 2-4 medium to large sweet potatoes
• 2 Tablespoons oil to coat the potatoes
• 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons) butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-2 cups pulled pork or chicken in barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups cheese. You can use your favorite shredded cheese, queso or nacho cheese
• 3/4 cup crispy French fried onions

Instructions

1. Scrub the sweet potatoes, pat dry and poke several time with the tines of a fork
2. Coat lightly with oil and place in the basket of an air fryer
3. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-45 minutes or until done,flipping halfway through for even cooking.
4. Step 1, written as a full sentence.
5. Once the potatoes are almost done warm the barbecue if needed.
6. Cut open the potatoes, add butter and salt and pepper to tasted and fluff with a fork
7. Put the cheese on the potato.
8. Place the barbecue on the potato and cheese and top with additional sauce.
9. Add the French fried onions on top of the meat.

Made this recipe? Tag @letmefigureoutdinner and use #ifiguredoutdinner — I'd love to see it!

A quick food-safety note

If you’re using barbecue that has already been cooked and refrigerated — only heat the amount you plan to eat at that sitting if you’re planning to have leftovers. For example, if you’re using a refrigerated tub or pouch of pulled pork, heat only half for dinner and save the other half in the refrigerator for lunch or dinner the next day. This keeps you from repeatedly reheating the same meat.

 Figure It Out

Topping Ideas for Barbecue Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes

Want to dress up your stuffed sweet potato? Here are a few ideas:

Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt both add creaminess and a little tang.

Ranch dressing pairs remarkably well with barbecue and sweet potatoes.

Chives or green onions add a little freshness and color.

Creamy coleslaw might sound like an unusual topping, but slaw on barbecue sandwiches is a thing in many places—and it works surprisingly well here, too.

Cooked and crumbled bacon because, honestly, bacon rarely hurts.

Storage and Reheating

This recipe is a little more of an unusual situation because you’ll want to store the components separately.

Store the individual components in covered containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

 How to Reheat in the Oven

Place the sweet potato on a baking sheet in a preheated 400°F oven and heat for 15–20 minutes. This helps keep the skin nice and crisp.

How to Reheat in the Microwave

Split the sweet potato in half and place it in a microwave-safe dish with a lid. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, or until heated through.

How to Reheat in an Air Fryer

Cook at 350°F for 4–5 minutes, or until heated through.

For the barbecue: Heat the meat in a pan until it reaches 165 Fahrenheit. If the meat has been reheated once, don't reheat it again. This is why I recommend only heating what you plan to eat at each meal/

Assemble the potatoes like you did originally and enjoy.

What to Serve With Barbecue Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes

Want to lean into the barbecue theme? Try serving these with:

Coleslaw and baked beans for that summer cookout vibe.

Roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts for an easy vegetable side.

Corn on the cob with butter for another classic barbecue side.

 More Easy Dinner Recipes

Cheesy Chili Mac

Lentil Rice Taco Bowls