You’re about to discover a breakfast classic that’ll revolutionize your morning routine! Sweet potato hash with eggs combines the natural sweetness of golden-brown spuds with rich, runny yolks in a dish that’s both comforting and nutritious. While its Southern roots stretch back to early 1900s America, today’s version offers a perfect balance of crispy textures and savory flavors that’ll make you wonder why you haven’t tried this five-ingredient wonder sooner.
Key Takeaways
- Dice sweet potatoes and onions into uniform 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking and optimal texture.
- Cook sweet potatoes and onions in olive oil over medium heat until golden-brown and tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Create wells in the cooked sweet potato mixture for eggs, then cover skillet until whites set.
- The natural sweetness of potatoes perfectly complements runny egg yolks for a balanced breakfast dish.
- Ensure consistent cooking by maintaining uniform potato size and proper heat management throughout preparation.
History
While its exact origins remain unclear, sweet potato hash emerged as a creative adaptation of traditional potato hash during the early 20th century in the American South. As sweet potatoes thrived in the region’s warm climate, home cooks began incorporating this nutritious root vegetable into their breakfast routines.
You’ll find that this hearty dish gained popularity during the Great Depression when families needed affordable, filling meals. Sweet potatoes were an excellent choice because they’re easy to grow and store well. The addition of eggs – a staple protein source – made the dish even more substantial.
Recipe
Sweet potato hash is a satisfying breakfast dish that combines crispy-edged sweet potatoes with perfectly cooked eggs. The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs beautifully with the rich, runny yolks, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
This five-ingredient version focuses on the fundamental elements of the dish, allowing each component to shine. The key to success lies in achieving the right balance between crispy and tender sweet potatoes while ensuring the eggs are cooked to perfection.
- 2 large sweet potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 4 large eggs
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced sweet potatoes and onions, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Continue cooking for 10-12 minutes until the potatoes are tender inside and slightly crispy outside.
Create four wells in the potato mixture and crack an egg into each. Cover the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain runny. Season with salt before serving.
For optimal results, maintain consistent heat throughout cooking and avoid stirring the potatoes too frequently, allowing them to develop a golden crust. Ensure your sweet potato cubes are uniform in size for even cooking.
If the potatoes begin to brown too quickly, reduce heat slightly. Let the dish rest for 2 minutes after cooking to allow the eggs to set completely. The skillet must remain covered while cooking the eggs to ensure proper setting of the whites.
Cooking Steps
You’ll want to start by gathering and prepping your ingredients, making sure your sweet potatoes and onions are diced into uniform pieces.
Next, heat your oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add your vegetables, and cook until the sweet potatoes develop a golden-brown crust while staying tender inside.
Finally, create wells for your eggs in the potato mixture, crack them in carefully, and cover the skillet until the whites set – your hearty breakfast hash will be ready after a quick 2-minute rest!
Step 1. Prep Ingredients First
Before diving into the cooking process, let’s get all ingredients prepped and ready to go! Your first task is to peel and dice those gorgeous orange sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes – this size ensures they’ll cook evenly and develop that perfect crispy exterior.
Next, grab your onion and dice it into similar-sized pieces as the sweet potatoes. You’ll want these pieces to cook at the same rate for the best flavor blend.
Crack your eggs into individual small bowls or ramekins – this makes it much easier to slide them into the wells you’ll create later.
Finally, measure out your olive oil and have your salt ready at hand. Now you’re all set for a smooth cooking experience!
Step 2. Heat Oil and Combine Ingredients
Start by heating your large skillet over medium heat and adding 2 tablespoons of olive oil – let it get nice and shimmery!
Once the oil is hot, add your perfectly diced sweet potatoes and onions to the pan, spreading them out in an even layer. You’ll want to give everything a good stir to coat all the pieces with oil.
Let the mixture cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning.
Watch as your sweet potatoes transform into golden-brown cubes with crispy edges! The onions will become translucent and slightly caramelized, adding wonderful flavor to your hash. Keep an eye on the heat – if things start browning too quickly, lower it slightly.
You’ll know the potatoes are ready when they’re tender enough to pierce easily with a fork.
Step 3. Add Diced Vegetables
Once your sweet potatoes and onions are sizzling away, it’s time to add any extra diced vegetables to enhance your hash’s flavor and nutrition!
Bell peppers add a wonderful pop of color and sweetness, while mushrooms bring an earthy depth. Add these tender veggies about 5 minutes after your potatoes start cooking.
For heartier additions like diced carrots or parsnips, toss them in right alongside your sweet potatoes at the start. They’ll need the full cooking time to become tender.
Keep the pieces uniform – about 1/2 inch dice works perfectly! Stir everything gently every few minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
You’ll know your vegetables are ready when they’re fork-tender and getting those lovely crispy edges that make hash so irresistible.
Step 4. Create Egg Wells
Making perfect wells for your eggs transforms this hearty hash into a complete breakfast masterpiece!
Once your sweet potatoes and onions are tender and crispy, it’s time to create the cozy nests for your eggs.
Using the back of a large spoon, press down into the potato mixture to make four evenly-spaced wells, each about 3 inches wide.
Make sure the wells are deep enough to cradle your eggs but not so deep that they touch the bottom of the pan.
Carefully crack a fresh egg into each depression, being careful not to break the yolks.
You’ll want the whites to spread slightly into the surrounding potatoes while keeping the yolks centered in their wells.
Cover the skillet immediately to help the eggs set properly!
Step 5. Let Rest Before Serving
After your eggs have reached their perfect consistency, the final step awaits! Remove your skillet from the heat and let your mouthwatering creation rest for two full minutes. This crucial resting period allows the hash to settle and develop its ideal texture.
During this short break, you’ll notice the sweet potatoes becoming slightly firmer while retaining their delightful crispy exterior. The eggs will also continue to set ever so slightly, creating that picture-perfect consistency you’re looking for.
While you wait, grab your plates and utensils – you’re just moments away from diving in! Once the resting time is complete, use a wide spatula to portion out your servings, making sure each plate gets an equal share of those gorgeous eggs and crispy sweet potatoes.
Final Thoughts
While this simple sweet potato hash recipe requires minimal ingredients, it delivers maximum flavor and satisfaction as a hearty breakfast option!
You’ll love how the crispy sweet potatoes complement the runny egg yolks, creating a delicious combination of textures and tastes. Don’t hesitate to make this recipe your own by adjusting the seasonings to match your preferences.
This versatile dish works great for weekend brunches or meal prep, as you can easily double the recipe to feed a crowd.
The leftovers reheat well, though you’ll want to cook fresh eggs when serving. Remember that the key to success lies in those uniformly cut sweet potato cubes and properly timed egg cooking.
Once you’ve mastered this basic version, you’ll be ready to experiment with additional toppings and seasonings!
