Looking for a cute way to add a little spooky fun to your veggies? These pumpkin potatoes are the perfect idea! Sweet potatoes are cut to look like jack o’ lanterns for a little seasonal Halloween flair. I make mine in the air fryer for perfect roasting, but the oven is great too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Halloween. The jack-o’-lantern design turns an everyday sweet potato into a festive fall side dish!
- Fun and family-friendly. Kids will love the fun shapes, while still getting their veggies!
- Easy to customize. Give each potato a different jack-o’-lantern expression for a fun Halloween appetizer!
- Simple ingredients. Sweet potatoes and a few basic toppings are all you need to create this fun side dish or snack
- Great for fall dinners. They’re just as appropriate for a regular October dinner as they are for a Halloween party
- Kid-approved presentation. Even picky eaters may be more interested in trying a vegetable when it has a silly pumpkin face!
- Perfect for entertaining. They make a memorable side dish for Halloween dinners, fall gatherings, and themed parties
- A fun twist on sweet potatoes. Instead of serving the same old sweet potato side, turn them into edible jack-o’-lanterns!
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Choose large diameter sweet potatoes so that you have more space to work with for a cookie cutter or cutting shapes into it! You could absolutely use other types of potatoes too, but the natural orange color of sweet potatoes is perfect for the pumpkin look
- You can use another high smoke point oil in place of olive oil if preferred
- Seasonings are all adjustable to taste. Other great options include garlic powder, paprika, or chili powder for some smoky notes
Equipment Notes
You need something to cut the jack o’ lantern designs, but you have several options here that work. A metal pumpkin shaped cookie cutter is great for shaping an entire slice (or doing a central cutout of a slice) of potato. I find 1-2” size is usually best for sweet potatoes.
Small cutters shaped like triangles and a toothy grin can be used just to add a face to a normal potato slice. You can also use a sharp knife to carve the designs yourself if you don’t want to buy a special tool, but the cutters are much faster.
Step By Step Instructions
- Slice your sweet potatoes into approximately ¼” thick slices, discarding the very small ends
- Use a cookie cutter or sharp knife to cut pumpkins or jack-o-lantern faces into each potato (I’ve shown a few different looks here for reference). Don’t cut facial features too close together or they may split during cooking (similar to carving a pumpkin). Use a towel to press in a cookie cutter (if using) so it doesn’t hurt your hand
- Toss the cut sweet potatoes with the olive oil and seasonings until well coated
- Add to your air fryer in a single layer, then cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, until they brown to your liking and are fork-tender
- Cool for a few minutes, garnish with a sprinkle of parsley or sea salt, then enjoy!
Oven Directions
- Add sweet potato slices to a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer
- Bake in an oven preheated to 400°F for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown
Pairing Suggestions
These jack-o’-lantern sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, hearty, and festive, making them a fun side for fall dinners, Halloween parties, and holiday meals. They pair especially well with roasted meats, barbecue favorites, autumn vegetables, and savory sauces!
Main Dishes
- Roasted chicken: A simple, savory main that lets the sweet potatoes shine
- Roast turkey: A natural pairing for Thanksgiving or a Halloween-to-holiday fall dinner. Try any of my Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for some great options!
- Pork chops: Savory pork and sweet potatoes are a classic combination
- Pork tenderloin: Especially good with a maple, apple, or mustard glaze
- Glazed ham: The salty-sweet combination works beautifully with sweet potatoes. My air fryer hot honey glazed Small Ham is a perfect pairing!
- Meatloaf: A cozy comfort-food pairing for a family dinner
- Roast beef: Rich, savory beef provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the potatoes
- Steak: Serve alongside a juicy steak for a more substantial fall meal
- BBQ chicken: Smoky, tangy barbecue flavors balance the sweet potatoes. Try my easy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Leg Quarters!
Fall-Inspired Pairings
- Roasted apples: Double down on those cozy fall flavors with a sweet-tart fruit side.
- Sautéed Brussels sprouts: Their earthy, slightly bitter flavor balances the sweetness.
- Roasted broccoli: A savory, lightly charred vegetable makes a great contrast.
- Green beans: Fresh and crisp enough to keep the meal from feeling too heavy.
- Maple-glazed carrots: A festive fall combination for a sweeter vegetable spread.
- Cranberry sauce: Tart cranberry provides a great contrast, especially with turkey. Try my easy Microwave Cranberry Sauce!
- Apple cranberry chutney: Even better if you’re building a full autumn-inspired plate.
Barbecue Favorites
- BBQ ribs: Smoky, savory ribs and sweet potatoes make a fantastic fall cookout combination
- Pulled pork: The sweetness of the potatoes works especially well with tangy barbecue sauce
- Brisket: Rich smoked beef pairs beautifully with the mellow sweetness of sweet potatoes
- Grilled sausages: Especially good with smoked or apple-flavored sausage
- Baked beans: A hearty, smoky side that fits right into a casual fall spread
- Coleslaw: Cool, crunchy slaw adds a refreshing contrast
Sauces & Toppings
- Maple butter: Enhances the natural sweetness without overpowering the potato
- Cinnamon butter: Perfect for a sweeter fall version
- Honey butter: A simple finishing touch for kids and adults alike
- Garlic herb butter: Takes the potatoes in a more savory direction
- Sage butter: Warm, earthy sage is particularly good with sweet potatoes
- Brown butter: Nutty and rich with plenty of fall flavor
- Sour cream: A cool, tangy contrast if you’re seasoning the potatoes more savory than sweet
Drinks
- Apple cider: The ultimate cozy fall pairing.
- Pumpkin beer: A seasonal option for adults at a Halloween gathering.
- Hard cider: Crisp apple flavors complement the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Chai latte: Warm spices work beautifully with sweet potatoes. For the adults, try any of my Chai Cocktails for a boozy option!
- Sparkling apple cider: A festive nonalcoholic option for Halloween dinner.
Holiday Dinners
These pumpkin potatoes are especially fun for Halloween dinner, Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and other fall gatherings (just customize with jack o’ lantern faces, or regular pumpkin shapes).
For a holiday plate, serve them with turkey or ham, green beans, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. For Halloween, try chili, cornbread, and a fall salad for a festive dinner that’s fun without turning the whole meal into dessert!
Recipe FAQs
How To Choose The Best Sweet Potatoes For This Recipe?
Look for medium to large-sized sweet potatoes that are fairly straight and evenly shaped, with smooth, firm skin and minimal curves or deep indentations. A consistent shape makes them much easier to cut into recognizable jack-o’-lantern faces and helps them cook evenly.
What Is The Best Way To Cut The Designs?
Use a small, sharp paring knife to carefully cut the eyes, nose, and mouth into the sweet potato. Keep the designs relatively simple and avoid cutting too deeply, since you want the sweet potato to hold its shape while cooking. For consistent cutting, you can use a metal cookie cutter.
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the sweet potatoes and cut the jack-o’-lantern designs ahead of time, then refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook. For the best texture and appearance, cook them the same day you plan to serve them.
Tips For the Best Pumpkin Sweet Potatoes
- This recipe easily doubles (or more) for a crowd, but it’s important to keep them to a single layer when cooking for even browning. Cook in batches as needed (especially in the air fryer)!
- Try to keep slices as even in thickness as possible, so they cook more evenly!
- If you do multiple designs like I’m showing here, small pieces will cook faster than large ones, so use the lower end of the range and check them frequently. Group like sizes if splitting into batches
- I made these pumpkin potatoes in my Ninja air fryer. 13 minutes was perfect for the large pieces, and 10 minutes was sufficient for the small size, without preheating. For my second batch, I dropped 3 minutes off cooking time (10 minutes and 7 minutes, respectively). Other air fryers can vary slightly, so adjust as needed for your model
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Let the sweet potatoes cool completely before covering and refrigerating to help prevent excess moisture
- Store them in a single layer when possible so the jack-o’-lantern designs don’t get squished or damaged
- Freeze for up to 2–3 months in a freezer-safe container, although the texture will be softer after thawing
Reheating Tips
- Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 4-6 minutes, or until heated through and the edges are crisp again
- Oven: Place on a baking sheet and heat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes
- Microwave: Heat in 30-60 second intervals until warm. This is the fastest method, but the potatoes will be softer
- Avoid over-reheating. Too much heat can dry out the sweet potato and make the cut-out details less defined
Party Tip
If you’re serving these for a Halloween dinner or party, make them fresh whenever possible. The jack-o’-lantern faces look their best right after cooking, and the edges of the designs can become less distinct after refrigeration and reheating.
More Pumpkin Themed Recipes
- Pretzel Pumpkins
- Jack O Lantern Cheeseburgers
Final Thoughts
These sweet potato jack-o-lanterns are such a fun vegetable idea for Halloween, or even just fall! Whether you carve spooky faces into them, or just cut them into cute pumpkins, it adds a little festive seasonal flair to your side dishes.
It’s a super customizable dish, since you can cut the potatoes differently, or use extra seasonings to make it your own! The base recipe is naturally gluten free and vegetarian too, so it works for a variety of different dietary needs without even trying!
I love that it’s one of those recipes that’s simple, yet delicious. Plus, my air fryer cuts cooking time in half compared to the oven, which makes it even quicker, which is always a win! However, the oven is great too for a larger crowd, since this recipe also scales well.
Pumpkin Potatoes (Sweet Potato Jack O Lanterns)
Equipment
- Small pumpkin cookie cutters (1-2" size; optional)
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes (peeled)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Slice your sweet potatoes into approximately ¼” thick slices, discarding the very small ends. Try to keep them relatively even in thickness so they cook evenly2 large sweet potatoes
- Use a cookie cutter or sharp knife to cut a pumpkin or jack o lantern design into each potato. Don’t cut facial features too close together or they may split during cooking (similar to carving a pumpkin). Use a towel to press down on a cookie cutter (if using) so it doesn’t hurt your hand
- Toss the cut sweet potatoes with the olive oil and seasonings until well coated1 Tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Add to your air fryer in a single layer, then cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, until they brown to your liking and are fork-tender
- Cool for a few minutes, then enjoy!
Alternate Oven Directions
- Add sweet potato slices to a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer
- Bake in an oven preheated to 400°F for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown
Notes
- I recommend medium to large diameter sweet potatoes so that you have more space to work with for a cookie cutter or cutting shapes into it!
- If you do multiple designs like I’m showing here, small pieces will cook faster than large ones, so use the lower end of the range and check them frequently. Group like sizes together if splitting into batches
- As pictured, these potatoes were cooked in my Ninja air fryer. 13 minutes was perfect for the large pieces, and 10 minutes was good for the small size, without preheating. For my second batch, I dropped 3 minutes off cooking time (10 minutes and 7 minutes, respectively). Other air fryers can vary slightly, so adjust as needed for your model
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
