Sweet potato pizzas are a delicious, nutritious twist on classic pizza: thin slices of roasted or grilled sweet potato act as the crust and you can top them with your favorite sauce, cheese, herbs, and other pizza toppings. They’re quick to make, family-friendly, and easy to customize for vegetarian, vegan, or meat-loving variations.
Years ago, my friend Kelsey popularized the idea known as “sweet potato toast.” This recipe takes that idea a step further and turns it into sweet potato pizza: simply grill or roast slices of sweet potato and top them with marinara or pesto, cheese, fresh basil, or any toppings you enjoy. It’s an easy, satisfying weeknight meal that’s typically ready in about 30 minutes.
What You Need for this Sweet Potato Pizza Recipe
- Sweet potatoes: Any variety or color works — choose medium to large potatoes for easy, even slices.
- Sauce: Marinara (pizza sauce) or pesto both work well. You can use store-bought or homemade.
- Toppings: We kept it simple with mozzarella and fresh basil, but you can add pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, or your favorite cheeses.
Variations
This recipe is very versatile — change the toppings to match your mood or dietary preferences:
- Meaty: Add cooked Italian sausage, mini pepperoni, or sliced chicken for more protein.
- Vegan: Use a vegan pesto and a plant-based grated cheese or vegan parmesan.
- Cheese options: While mozzarella is classic, try cheddar, gruyere, or freshly shredded parmesan for different flavor profiles.
Top tips from the kitchen
Use a large skillet with a lid or a baking sheet lined with foil for the oven. A Dutch oven or a grill pan works well if you want grill marks but don’t have an outdoor grill. Slice the sweet potato to about 1/4-inch thickness so it cooks through while still holding its topping.
More pizza recipe ideas
Pizza Recipes
- Cast iron pizza
- Cauliflower pizza crust
- French bread pizza
- Naan breakfast pizza
Serving Suggestions
Finish the pizzas with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or fresh cracked pepper. They pair nicely with a crisp Caesar or mixed green salad and make a fun appetizer alongside a simple burrata plate or roasted vegetables.
Easy Sweet Potato Pizzas
Summary: Replace a traditional pizza crust with sweet potato slices for a lighter, nutrient-packed alternative that still delivers all the flavor of your favorite toppings.
By: Lee Funke
Prep: 10 mins Cook: 15 mins Total: 25 mins Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato, washed and dried
- 1/3 cup marinara sauce or pesto
- 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup diced fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven or grill to 375°F (190°C).
- Trim the sweet potato ends. Stand the potato on one end and slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick pieces to form the “pizzas.”
- Brush or spray each slice with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray, or place foil on the grill grates. Arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer.
- Bake or grill for about 10 minutes, until the sweet potato is nearly fork tender.
- Flip the slices, spread about 1 tablespoon marinara or 1/2 tablespoon pesto on each, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon mozzarella, and add a pinch of oregano. Cook 3–5 more minutes until the cheese melts and toppings are warmed.
- Remove from heat and top with fresh basil before serving.
Tips & Notes
- Nutrition information in this recipe assumes marinara sauce was used rather than pesto.
- The recipe is written for two servings, but it’s easy to double or triple for a larger group.
- If you want grill marks but don’t have an outdoor grill, a grill pan on the stovetop works well.
Watch It
A short demonstration video can be helpful if you prefer to see the process, but the steps above are straightforward and quick to follow.
Nutrition
Approximate per serving: Calories: 183 kcal; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 8 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 7 g. Nutrition is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
