Smiling parents holding young children at beach

Super Bowl party appetizer: Sweet potato nachos

January 31, 2017 | Steve Tischler
sweet potato chips for super bowl party nachos
On game day, add some healthy toppings to these light, fiber- and vitamin-rich nachos, such as black beans, corn, tomatoes or guacamole.

Even if you’re not a football fan, the Super Bowl still offers a good excuse to socialize and eat with friends. But the usual big-game snacks and appetizers (we’re looking at you, pizza and hot wings) can sideline any chance of eating healthy.

So how about nachos that are tasty and good for you? This healthy appetizer recipe with suggested toppings comes from Katie Rankell, RD, CDE, of the UCI Health Weight Management Program.

Instead of tortilla chips loaded with cheese and sour cream, she uses sweet potatoes as the chips along with a variety of diet-friendly topping choices.

While munching the nachos, keep in mind her other game-day snacking tips:

  • Use the gathering as an opportunity to get in your fruits and veggies.
  • Include a protein to avoid hunger pangs. Good choices included veggies and humus, fruit and light string cheese, veggie or fruit with low-fat cottage cheese.
  • Look in the fridge and not the pantry. Limit snacks such as sweets, chips, nuts and high-calorie beverages.

Sweet Potato Nachos

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet potatoes
  • 2 ounces grated cheese of your choice (cheddar, gouda, pepper jack, Mexican blend, etc.)
  • olive oil or cooking oil spray (such as Pam®)
  • chili powder, to taste
  • garlic powder, to taste
  • a sprinkle or two of cayenne pepper (or paprika)

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Wash sweet potatoes, peel off skin and slice into discs with a sharp knife or mandolin.

Drizzle, rub or spray slices with your favorite healthy oil, such as olive oil. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet or pan.

Roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender. Top with your choice of veggies, beans and cheese and return to the oven until the cheese is hot and bubbly.

Layer on cold toppings such as Greek yogurt, guacamole, salsa, green onion or anything else as desired.

Healthy Topping Options

  • Black beans
  • Fresh or pickled jalapeño peppers
  • Banana peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Black olives
  • Yellow corn or mexi-corn with peppers
  • Chopped bell peppers or sweet mini peppers
  • Shredded romaine lettuce, spinach or spring mix
  • Chopped green onion
  • Greek yogurt
  • Guacamole
  • Salsa

Nutritional Information

Per ½ cup serving of sweet potato nachos with cheese (without other toppings):

  • 42 calories
  • 2 g fat
  • 52 mg sodium
  • 0.6 g sugar
  • 2 g protein
  • 61 mg potassium
  • 3 g total carbohydrates
  • 0.5 g fiber

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